"Caught in a changing world"

For several years now I have slowly begun to realize what others have known for some time... the world is a changing and the way the church does its work must change as well.

Now that statement doesn't set well with many people. The reason is, of all organizations in existence, for some reason, the church has always been resistant to change. You have heard of the 7 famous last words of the church, I'm sure. They are "We've never done it that way before."

I've thought about this a lot. Why does the church have so much trouble with change. I think it's because programs and ministries become "sacred" to us. There are things that we have done in church for years.... revivals, January Bible study, R.A.'s... G.A.'s... Brotherhood, W.M.U... Sunday School and I could go on and on... that once was effective. And, some of the things I mentioned above may still work in certain places. But, those programs were created in a time when the world was different.

An expert in Southern Baptist church growth recently commented on the declining baptisms in Southern Baptist life. He said that many of the programs we use are somewhat dated. He then added, "If the 50's come back around again, we will be ready to go." That's not a direct quote but it's close. And, it's sad.

So, we have a program and ministries that were designed in another era and at times, they don't work as well today. When they don't, instead of "discerning the times" as the scripture encourages us to do, if we're not careful, we can become angry and judgmental and mean-spirited about the times.

I will probably write more about this in the days ahead. This is a starting place.

I know this; Jesus still loves people. The way that we tell the world that Jesus still loves people may have to change but the message doesn't.

Let's be open to the leadership of the Spirit in our lives and in the life of the church.