rel·e·vant

adjective \ˈre-lə-vənt\ : relating to a subject in an appropriate way

(Merriam Webster online) we are called to be inappropriate in terms that the world would consider unacceptable, i.e. being:

--politically incorrect

--anti-“survivor” or anti-“win-lose” in our thinking

--about problem-solving rather than symptom -solving

--personally accountable

--able to articulate our standards without apologizing or blaming

--willing to love first and not judge so quickly

--willing to acknowledge absolute truth

I think that we try so very hard to be relevant; and as a result the church blends into, and is almost unrecognizable, apart from the culture it is embedded in.

We try in every way to look and sound like the corporate model we revere and imitate.

Being irrelevant means “sticking out.” This is risky business.

“Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way? ”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” --John 14:5-6

In a pluralistic and democratic culture, to say that there is one absolute truth, is itself a heresy.

If all truths are equal, then there are no truths, but a multiplicity of equally valid opinions.

Q: Are all truths equally valid?

Introduction

Everyone was saying that I was doing really well, but something inside me was telling me that my success was putting my soul in danger. --pg 20

Q: When should we begin to worry?

Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen, (January 24, 1932 – September 21, 1996) was a Dutch-born Catholic priest, professor and writer. His interests were rooted in psychology, pastoral ministry, spirituality, social justice and community.

After nearly 20 years of teaching at academic institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School, Nouwen went on to work with mentally and physically handicapped people at the L’Arche Daybreak community in Richmond Hill, Ontario.