A Lesson in Contextualization

For the Christian, regardless of vocational calling, there are few issues more important than contextualization. It is huge for the aged and seasoned pastor, the hip church planter, lay leader, and average Christian because contextualization is about the communication of the gospel. It is about articulating and applying Jesus to the cultural setting of an audience—whether it is hundreds on a Sunday morning or one guy from work. The difficulty lies in correctly contextualizing, you may completely alienate your audience if you under contextualize, but you might lose the gospel if you over contextualize.