by Kwasi Kena

Click here for the (mp3) audio file of this article

The first article in this series explored ways local churches can move beyond mouthing ritual responses to evangelism.

The second article explored the importance of inviting pre-Christians into fellowship.

The focus of today's article is relevance.

Do People Understand Your Faith?

n d Bginin wz d wrd. d wrd wz W God n d wrd wz God. If you didn't recognize the previous text message as "In the beginning was the word, the word was with God and the word was God," then you don't understand one of the major communication languages used by today's youth.

As each new generation gains voice, it ushers in change. In today's culture, change is constant. Life is dynamic.

Interruptions intrude constantly: breaking news, a new text or tweet message, cell phone calls, online banter. Click "send" and a text message instructs a flash mob to converge on a designated location in minutes, make a statement, and disperse just as quickly.

If your sanity depends on large doses of stability, tradition, and predictability, you may be wondering how to relate to many pre-Christians in our present culture.

How can we share our faith meaningfully today? How can we relate effectively?

A Lesson from Paul

The Apostle Paul learned how to relate to a Greek culture vastly different from his own in Acts 17:18-34. While in Athens, some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers heard Paul arguing the Christian faith. Intrigued, these philosophers took Paul to the Areopagus and asked him to explain "this new teaching." Paul turned to an altar they cherished inscribed, "To an unknown god."

Paul used what the Greeks worshiped, quoted one of their poets, then redirected the conversation to the Resurrected Jesus. Paul started inside the philosopher's culture, which meant Paul took time to understand what his pre-Christian audience valued.

A Lesson from Patrick

The quest for relevance is a constant challenge. Over a decade ago, evangelism scholars were abuzz about the Celtic way of evangelism. While some scholars skewered the assertion that Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, devised a highly intentional strategy to reach some of the 150 unreached Celtic tribes in Ireland, the remarkable success of his evangelistic outreach cannot be ignored.

As a youth, Patrick spent eight years in slavery under Celtic lords. During his enslavement, he learned the culture and language of the Irish people. Through Divine providence, he was able to escape and sail to freedom in Rome.

Later, at age 48, while serving as a parish priest in England, he received a Macedonian call and returned to Ireland. By the time of his death, Patrick had reached fifteen to twenty of the 150 unreached Celtic tribes in Ireland.

Patrick's ministry success was due in large part to relevance and daring. During the first 400 years of Christianity's expansion, the gospel had been taken only to "civilized" peoples. Patrick evangelized people whom Rome considered "barbarian." Patrick related to the Irish inside their culture. He understood what the Celtic people valued.

Identifying Values

In Patrick's time, Rome dictated Christian orthodoxy. But imposing Rome's orthodoxy on Celtic culture would have been a mistake. Instead, Patrick recognized the values of the Celtic people and forged a new path to reach pre-Christians. Here are a few contrasts between Celtic and Roman values:

Roman Christians emphasized dominion over nature.	Celtic Movement stressed humanity's kinship with nature.
Roman Christians believed human nature was totally depraved.	Celtic Christians believed sin had blurred God's image, but not beyond recognition.
Roman Christians emphasized God's stability and order.	Celtic Christians emphasized God's dynamic activity.
Roman Christians emphasized preservation of institutions and traditions.	Celtic Christians emphasized advancing as a movement through community.
Roman Christians assumed Roman culture was superior to all other cultures.	Celtic Christians saw the religion of pagans as a sign of spiritual interest and preparation for the gospel.
Roman Christians explained the faith using a propositional approach.	Celtic Christians invited people into community before the people committed to the faith.