So, the next question is: What do we mean when we say the Church is irrelevant? Do we mean out-dated in its ways and methods? Do we mean the Church just isn't "cool" or "hip" (or whatever the current slang may be)? Do we mean that the Church is culturally out of sync? If so, I think we're asking the wrong questions. The questions we should be asking is: Is Jesus relevant? How does Jesus define relevance? Does Jesus even care about relevance? To answer these questions, let's think about some of the things that Jesus said about believers and about the Church that He would build.
Jesus said, as already stated, the WE are the light of the world. Shining is a fact; not an act. If we are being light, darkness goes away. Jesus said that WE are the salt of the earth. If salt is salty, it changes whatever it's applied to. If it doesn't, it's lost its saltiness and is worthless. Jesus said, "Ask whatever you wish in My name and it shall be done" (Mark 11:22-24; John 14:14; 15:7). James says that we have not because we ask with wrong motives, selfish motives (4:1-6). Jesus said that signs and wonders will accompany all those who believe (Mark 16:17-18). In my life, I've seen some, but not a lot. I can't say I've been "accompanied by" or "followed by" signs and wonders. There are many more promises of Jesus that say He has fully and abundantly equipped us to do the stuff that He did - He even said that all who believe in Him would do greater things than He did (John 14:12-14)! Therefore, if WE are not relevant, who's fault is it? Is the problem on His end? Is He the problem? No. No! NO! The underlying problem is OUR unbelief, plain and simple.
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