Modernism, based on its quest for absolute scientific truth and the successful implementation of this truth, tends to put task in front of relationship. While good relationships are regarded as important, life is primarily about achievement. Postmodernism, with no absolute truth to pursue, reverses the priority. Significance is not primarily found in your success and achievements, but in the quality of your relationships.
You see there's no point in making huge sacrifices to achieve things that may prove, long-term, to lack any absolute significance. You're much better off appreciating and building your relationships.
A common postmodern perspective is that moderns have invested a huge amount of effort into paid work in order to achieve something significant and to earn money so that their families can live well. They have made extensive sacrifices including neglecting their relationships, but have generally not achieved their goals. In other words, they have impoverished their lives for nothing.
So Postmodernism emphasises community. Jobs, careers, directions and purposes will come and go, but the glue of life is relationship. For postmoderns, friends and family are very important, and with advances in technology, they can continue to strengthen these relationships without physical proximity.
Community is a strongly biblical value. Christianity is based on relationship - a personal relationship with God and tangible relationships with both Christians and non-Christians. We are called to love God and our neighbours with everything we've got (Mark 12:30-31). It's through our relationships that we Christians show the world that we're following Jesus (John 13:35).
For Christians, community is absolutely vital (Heb 10:24-25; Eph 4:16; 1 Cor 12-13). There is no such thing as a lone ranger Christian. Postmodernism correctly challenges Modernism over its disregard for community. Thank goodness the tide is turning. If you're neglecting your relationships to pursue your goals, then you're disobeying Christ, no matter how godly those goals may appear.
However, just one word of challenge to postmoderns. There is a tendency for postmoderns to prioritise relationships and community, but not commitment. They appreciate freedom and flexibility in relationships. On-line relationship tools (like Facebook) provide the opportunity for low-commitment relationships. You can easily move on if things become difficult or uncomfortable. So postmodern relationships can tend to be numerous but shallow.
Christian leaders have limited flexibility and freedom in relationships. Sorry about that, but good shepherds lay down their lives for the sheep (John 10:11). This means loving and serving unlovely people, just like Jesus does for you. Make sure that you have good friends, but hang in there as long as you can with those who need your love and influence. Invest your life in others.
