If ever there is a perpetual problem within the framework and system of the church, it would be that we have frozen our theology and His people due to fear; fear of change.
Do you not think it odd that every generation that comes down the pike has a burr under its saddle to do kingdom life a bit differently? There seems to be a twist of concern which takes concentration to hold congregations together while the young and rambunctious age and the new young and rowdy have ideas.
Could this process be something we should grasp rather than battle?
Could it be that the reason change is necessary is because God is creative, always new, and man is subject to finding his comfort zone and sticking with it? Did not Jesus warn all disciples in no uncertain terms about tradition? Yet, every generation goes through similar procedures; young and ready to get on with it, middle-aged and happy the way things are, and then older and irritated at the younger who are making a mess of our comfort.
God gave us the old law and then changed it to the new Spirit. We read the Old Testament and then the New. To top it off, He concludes Holy Writ with a final book that we still can't grasp. In reading the book of Acts there were various means of conversion while we have tried to formulate and prove that each act was in reality identical. We struggle to let God be young.
In the battle for change, can you think of a time a proposal was made that we no longer believe Jesus is God's Son? Or, that we no longer accept the Father as father? Or, that we must now care less about prayer? No, none of these things fit the change mode and they won't. When we battle, though, we tend to behave as if these are the ultimate battlegrounds. Not.
So take a good look at the church terrain. Show me the old style of doing church that is thriving and I'll show you a hundred that are dead while trying to live; all in the name of Truth. Take a good look at congregations robust with the young. New ideas, venues, and concepts bring thrivation to all.
When Memorial Drive basically had no children and we were a dying congregation, Linda Scott was added as a Children's Minister. This change brought about new life. Halls once dim with no clatter and chatter began to bounce with the young. Change.
We are a foolish people if we think the Creative God is not pushing His people to awaken to new; His kind of new. At my age one would think the feeling could be expected to shift into coast mode within the church.
But not. We must be wide-eyed and open-hearted to take note of God's walk and talk.
We are not in the preservation business. Nor are we called to restore what was. We, the church, are called to live incredibly high-risk lives which dare to break the strong bonds of controversy.
Yes. We are called to live in resurrection power of the Holy Spirit.
Wasn't it God who said He would do more than we could imagine? Don't you think that if such is beyond our ask or think ability it would naturally insist "things must and will change"?
No comments:
Post a Comment