Is the Church Still Relevant Today?

In a world where trends change overnight and age-old institutions are increasingly questioned, one profound question remains: Is the church still relevant today? Drawing from a recent sermon, we explore a biblically rooted, thoughtful answer that challenges and encourages believers to reflect on the role of the church in modern life.

The Church at a Crossroads

Throughout history, the church stood as the heartbeat of many communities — a place where people sought purpose, belonging, and a connection to something greater than themselves. Yet today, statistics paint a concerning picture. Research from LifeWay indicates that 66% of young adults between 23 and 30 have stopped attending church regularly for at least a year after turning 18. Meanwhile, global trends show a rise in secularism, atheism, and agnosticism.

Despite these shifts, the sermon reminds listeners of the ancient wisdom found in Ecclesiastes:

“That which has been is what will be, and that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

Solomon’s words echo the idea that while technology and culture may evolve, the core struggles of humanity — sin, righteousness, and the search for meaning — remain unchanged. The relevance of the church, therefore, isn’t dictated by trends but by its foundation in eternal truths.

The Path to Relevance: Three Pillars

The sermon highlights three critical ways the church maintains its relevance today: being biblically based, being real, and being like Jesus.

1. Being Biblically Based

In a world brimming with information, the church must stand firm in the unchanging truth of Scripture. The message stresses that answers to life’s biggest questions are found not in human wisdom but in God’s Word.

“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Whether addressing identity, relationships, or leadership, the Bible provides clarity and guidance. The sermon referenced Moses’ instructions to the Israelites on the brink of the Promised Land, reminding them that obedience to God’s commands was the key to their future well-being (Deuteronomy 12:28). Likewise, today’s believers are called to know and live by the Word to remain relevant and impactful.

The world is full of voices offering opinions and advice, but the church’s unique strength is its foundation in divine revelation. Relevance begins with being rooted, not in fleeting trends, but in timeless Scripture.

2. Being Real

Authenticity is a prized commodity in the modern age. People seek communities where they can find support, love, and honesty. The sermon challenges the church to be a place where real life — including struggles, failures, and forgiveness — is visible and tangible.

Rather than pretending to have it all together, believers are called to live transparently, showing the power of grace and unity even amid differences. As Paul instructed:

“With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3)

The sermon points to Jesus’ example in John 13, where He humbly washed the feet of His disciples — even those who would betray and deny Him. In doing so, He modeled the kind of real, sacrificial love the world desperately needs to see from the church today.

3. Being Like Jesus

Ultimately, relevance isn’t about being trendy — it’s about being Christlike. The sermon emphasizes that the church’s mission is to reflect Jesus in every aspect of life. Paul’s words to the Colossians serve as a powerful reminder:

“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18)

To remain relevant, the church must fix its eyes on Jesus, embodying His humility, compassion, and truth. It’s not about building programs or growing numbers for their own sake; it’s about making disciples who live, love, and lead like Christ.

The Hebrew writer encourages believers to lay aside every weight and look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). In a distracted and disillusioned world, a community that looks and lives like Jesus will always stand out.

Living the Message

The sermon concludes with a poignant metaphor: a football field crowded with players needing rest and stands full of spectators needing exercise. The church is not called to be a place of passive observation but of active participation. Believers are challenged not just to talk about living like Jesus, but to actually live it — in their homes, workplaces, and communities.

The church’s relevance hinges on action. By being biblically grounded, authentically real, and Christ-centered, the church can offer a compelling, life-transforming alternative to a world searching for meaning and hope.

Final Thoughts

Is the church still relevant today? The answer is a resounding yes — but only if it remains true to its mission. The world doesn’t need a trendier version of itself; it needs the timeless truth, real love, and living example of Jesus Christ, embodied by His people.

In the end, the church’s relevance is not determined by culture but by its faithfulness to the calling given by Christ Himself — to be salt, light, and a city set on a hill, pointing the way to the One who never changes.