Doing a little surfing around the internet, I came across this blog post about a call for repentence. The blog appears to be part of a ministry of Grace Bible Church and is a preview of a message for Grace Academy High School Chapel.
But it was definitely thought provoking, and I have to say I’ve often pondered the point brought up in this paragraph:

“But for all the attention and energy we give, for all the flash web sites we’ve made and contextualized clothing we wear and language we’ve embraced, for all the slick marketing brochures we pass out and “Christian” rock music we produce and play, for all the “relevant” and timely sermon series and Christian celebrity appearances, for all the cool Christian t-shirts, for all the gentle conversations we engage in, for all the evangelism programs and English translations and focused study Bibles/Biblezines, for all the WWJD and Livestrong bracelets, for all the Christian Facebook groups, it really doesn’t seem like we are changing the world at all. In fact, if anything, it seems like the world is changing us, conforming us into its image. We are far from being accused of “turning the world upside down” like the early church (cf. Acts 17:1-9, especially verse 6).”

The author of this blog suggest that the answer isn’t culturally relevant rock or clothing but:
“If we want to change the world, to turn it upside down, we’ve got to start at the beginning, with REPENTANCE. Repentance is a change of mind, a turning about and away from sin. It is a recognition and lamentation and confession of unrighteousness, that results in new affection for, and a new direction toward, righteousness. Repentance is where new life starts. Repentance is where disciple-making begins. Remember, Christ didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
So what do you think? For all of our flashy, cool, trendy products and music, the world certainly does look much like it does without any Christian influence. Are we focusing our efforts in the wrong place? And focusing on Christian music, how can Christian music artists balance being culturally relevant with sharing the basic message of sin and grace?
And before you remind me that I’m the one who has a hard time pointing a finger at someone and proclaiming “sinner,” I admit it, especially when I know the sin in my own life, or the wretch that I was before Jesus. I’m more about the “Do you know Jesus loves you” message. But I do see where we tend to focus on flash and style, and even on the love, without the message that there’s sin we need to be forgiven for.
So what do you think?