1 /5 Roy Hawke: I don’t know how exactly this place passes as a church. This is one strong example of the Western/American modern church that cares more about filling seats, than the Spirit filling up the people who are in desperate need of Him.
A few, and I mean a few of the people Ive met there, Ive grown to know more, and still to this day, I love having them as brothers and sisters in Christ.
However, my experiences personally with certain people have made my time there very challenging. Especially after providing the gifts God has given me to bring Gods light, I became burnt out and discouraged that my involvement with Relevant wasnt truly valued. I dont see that a couple members of their leadership exemplifies patience or gentleness, which is truly sad. They have made this church run more like a corporation rather than a church. Roles shouldnt be filled for the sake of being filled. That by the way is a toxic form of leadership. Roles should be in place of people who have been gifted the role and are honored in their ways. May I add, that as I was leaving Relevant, I felt as thought I had my hands tied to not leave the church until I was met with guilt that going elsewhere to find true fellowship was a big insult to injury. Churches ought to honor that God calls certain people to minister elsewhere. Im not the only one who has had these similar experiences.
Ill say it this way: if God calls His followers to be obedient to His call, and someone gets in the way, those getting in the way disobey God denying their calling.
Sometimes I will even see through service I either see that people arent as engaged, passionate, or zealous. Rarely but notably so would I see some people just put on a front. There was only one thing I could be positive about, which was one life/community group I knew I could be around, learn from, and gain wisdom. Outside of that, it all feels like some people are just checking off a box, living the same life, not a sanctified life. Theres a thing with their baptism that I dont see in the Bible is whether the person getting baptized has "asked Jesus to come into their heart." Its coming to the knowledge of ones sin, repenting of it, believing Jesus died and rose for us to be forgiven and have our sins paid for, to be made new, making Jesus Lord and Savior.
After leaving Relevant, I was contacted only by a few of people, who truly cared. And for some reason Relevant decides to block me on social media. Guess Im not good enough for them. But God has made me new, a new creation, a new identity, and thats what matters more.
I personally wouldnt recommend Relevant Church, whether youre just moving to the area, or trying to profit the Kingdom with the gifts Jesus has given you. Anyone can read the Bible but their actions will tell a different side of the story.
