“Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you” (II Corinthians 13:11).
It may be one thing for the map of Europe to change, or for governments to rise or fall, but when the deacons start making changes at good old First Church of the Deep Freeze, get ready for a holy war which is often rather unholy. Members practically rise from the dead to vote against change. Individuals who haven’t darkened the door of a church since grandmother died seventeen years ago will show up with their brothers and sisters and all their extended family to cast their ballot against change.
Millions of people who sing the Gloria Patri on Sunday morning, voicing the phrase, “as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,” really are reflecting the way they want their church to be‑‑something which is the same year after year, something which gives them a sense of security in a changing world.
I suppose we should view that mentality as a complement to the good job that our fathers did, but the fact remains–change is inevitable. And the people who often fight it would not really want to stay in a church where their children, and eventually grandchild, are not at home. The problem is we confuse message with methods. Changing the message is heresy! Paul made that clear when he said, “Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other Gospel to you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8, KJV). Strong words! But changing the methods is absolutely necessary if we are to continue to communicate with our world.
Churches that are unwilling to accommodate change become an “upper room club,” or a “holy huddle,” as a friend describes them, where the “good old boys” meet periodically but newer people, and especially a younger generation, just don’t quite feel at home.
In the Philippines, where Guidelines is heard, the median age is 17. In China it is 27. Around the world there is a new generation asking, “Where is God in relationship to my problems? And how can I worship Him in a meaningful fashion?”
Everybody who comes to church‑‑any church, anywhere‑‑is coming from the secular world where they live six days a week. They listen to the radio and hear upbeat music. They watch television programs which are well done, with a rapid moving pace which changes scenes every few moments to keep the interest of the viewer. They listen to world commentaries focusing on dynamic leaders who are writing the history of our world. And then they come to church. Often it is a contrast they can’t handle and they reject it, when in reality they are not rejecting God as much as they are sterile, boring worship.
It has been my observation that churches that are dynamic and growing‑‑whether they are in Korea, China, or the United States‑‑ have three common elements: (1) Biblical preaching and teaching which is relevant to the needs of their lives, (2) Lively worship which spans the generations, including a mixture of old hymns and contemporary music, much of which is Scripture set to music, and (3) An outreach to a community and a world which may take on many different forms including growth or cell groups, world missions, and evangelistic outreach focusing on people outside the walls of the church.
Should Paul be writing to a church struggling over change, I think he might well pen the words he wrote to the Corinthians as he said, “Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace.” (II Corinthians 13:11).
Resource reading:
