When a pastoral candidate once addressed the congregation, he gave an inspiring description of his qualifications, experience, vision, and plans.  His final statement summed up his presentation: "With God's help, I intend to lead this church forward into the nineteenth century!

Surprised and embarrassed by the candidate's apparent mistake, the chairman of the search committee said, "You mean 'the twentieth century!'" To which the candidate replied, "No Sir, we're going to take this one century at a time!"

As we look around at churches today there seems to be one common obstacle that we struggle with constantly: we're uncomfortable with "change."  This generates stress and frustration.  Many sincere and committed Christians who still faithfully fill their pew hold on to the hope that tomorrow will be yesterday.  Others desperately want their church to catch up with the times and meet the challenges of the present generation, but they don't know how to bring it about without conflict.  Still others doggedly fight the inevitable changes for the sake of traditions.  This tells us clearly what is happening in churches: CHANGE!  Extraordinarily difficult but absolutely necessary change.  Although some resist it, change is an unavoidable part of life. 

Individuals welcome the change in seasons, variety in foods, new experiences, and the achieving of new goals(business, home, family, individual), but abhor the change that age brings with deteriorating health and intrusions into our comfort zones.  But change is inevitable. 

What happens to individuals and families also happens to groups: schools, churches, businesses, organizations, and communities.  The group changes as a result of members and the group change controls individuals.  Every church member is changing while the church is changing while the society is changing. 

Change is not a choice.  How to handle change is the choice!  As we face the future, we need to realize that things(program/focus/ministry) will change as a result of new members and circumstamces confronting us. 
I am committed to two principles today as we consider our ministry opportunities.  One is that our message will not change.  Two is that we need to be willing to change our methods to minister to people.  WHAT we minister is the unchanging message of soul-saving, life-giving power in the Gospel truth of salvation and satisfaction in Jesus Christ alone.  HOW we deliver that truth is ministry.

This change in methods is the heartbeat of ministry.  As we strive to be relevant to our community and society, we must consider new ways of reaching out and bringing people into contact with the gospel. 
I'm so excited about our new Family Center.  In the coming months we will e discussing new commitments, new ministeries, and new focus.  Please pray for the Lord's leading in all that we do and ask Him to lead us through inevitable change.

As we do, let us strive to make 2 Cor 4:5 our reality:  "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake."

This page has been displayed 5 times this month, 48 times since October 11, 2008 .