“…I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”
- 1 Corinthians 9:22b
People need to experience the love of Christ. We want to do whatever it takes to make that possible.
In Acts 17 (view here) Paul gives us the foundation for our ministry.
Paul looks around and sees tons of idols. He probably knows that Socrates was executed for introducing new gods, so he decides to build a bridge with his audience. But instead of condemning their paganism, he applauds their religiosity and goes on to explain the truth using their culture as a platform.
Paul relates to his audience by finding common ground. Both he and the Athenians have a belief system based in the supernatural, so he decides to help bring a definition into their belief system.
He also relates to his audience by speaking a common language. In verse 28 Paul says “In him we live and move and exist” and “For we also are his offspring.” Those are quotes from familiar secular poets of his day.
In a similar way, our culture today is inundated with the arts. Keynote looks to the poets and prophets of our day and uses what they have to say to deliver the gospel.