Being Relevant

Understanding the culture

-and the place of the church within that

Some key principles for our work and witness

- the 3 R’s

Community

Moral compassSense of belongingPlace of activity Community builder

Influence & Respect

Community

Moral compassSense of belongingPlace of activity Community builderWe have been

here before!

Influence & Respect

Place of servanthood

In a place of servanthood you learn to listen &

respond

Not demand and direct

The 3 R’s for Outreach & Mission

Real

Relevant

Relational

Real

•who you are is real

•what you offer is real

Real People

Are you all you claim to be?

When things are hard will you still be there?

“Can I trust you?”

Real things

“a more satisfying life”

“meeting with God”

“inner peace”

“people who love one another”

Don’t dress it all up

Be honest about who you are and what you face

Relevant

Questions the generations ask about faith and church:

Over 65’s:Is it what I’ve been brought up to

believe?How can I help?

50 – 65’sIs it true?

Will I be able to help reshape it?

50 – 65’sIs it true?

Will I be able to help reshape it?

30’s & 40’sDoes it work?

Will I be welcomed & involved?

Teens & 20’sWill it build a better world where all are

affirmed and supported?

To be relevant

It has to be about life not about death

How being a disciple of Jesus can make a difference to life now

How he can use us to make a difference to the lives of others now

To be relevant

Draw alongside others in the reality of life

Be ready to address practical, emotional & spiritual needs

And invite others to share in that

Relational

The individualism of the 80’s and 90’s

Revealed a deep seated need for meaningful relationships

People want to belong to loving, caring, affirming

communities

Journeys and Stories

Significant signposts:People

The churchExperiencesThe sermon

It’s people that draw people in

It’s Christian community that roots and disciples them

Journeys and Stories

“The church was probably the single most important factor in people’s

spiritual journeys.”

One of the strongest messages from Journeys and Stories is that living as a

community of believers who are welcoming, accepting, inviting, joyful, enthusiastic, encouraging and loving is the most powerful testimony possible. It constitutes a significant contribution

to people’s journeys, a compelling invitation to a banquet, perhaps even a sign that the Kingdom of God is here.

The most important question for outreach & mission:

How do we create authentic Christian community?

How do we create authentic Christian community?

Lots of things might pique people’s interest

But it’s this that truly disciples

What we invite them to be part of is as important as how we invite them to belong

Needs to be real, relevant & relational too!

To view this presentation

& further work on generational characteristics:

Supportnetworkconference.co.uk