We’re going through a great deal of change in our church these days. We brought on new staff personnel and they are making in their ministry areas. As a church, we are making changes to reflect the new vision and values that we are now working toward.
An old friend of mine had a saying about change: “When a change comes to our attention, we immediately pass it through our Me-Filter.” How does this impact me? Is it of benefit to me?
I’ve come to the conclusion that the only people who like change are the ones who are leading the change. It is a mistake to believe that ‘leaders like change.’ Leaders who have change imposed on them, react exactly the same as everyone else! When a new set of eyes looks at something and begins to make changes, those who are directly affected usually push back to varying degrees.
When I have become resistant to change, one of the subconscious reason’s I’ve done so has been because I’ve got my eye off the purpose and made the process or system more important.
One of the scariest mindsets in the church is when we make the process more important than the purpose. Over the years I’ve seen far too many people get tied to a program instead of to the value that drives the program. When a particular ministry becomes the ‘only way’ to accomplish X and from now until the rapture that ministry must be perpetuated regardless of the changing society around us. Far too many churches have died on the vine because of that mentality.
I’ve been concerned with the approach that some churches have taken with Group Life. There are some churches that have made the fostering of community the purpose of Group Life. There is much that the Bible teaches us about Community and what it is to look like in the church. But the mission of the church is not to build community any more than God chose the Israelites to be an exclusive group. God chose the Israelites so that they could serve as a model for the type of relationship God wants will all people. It was the Israelites that turned the focus toward exclusivity.
My point is not that churches are becoming exclusive. My point is that some churches are putting such a focus on community building that they are forgetting the community of believers is the process through which we are to accomplish our purpose of helping others experience the forgiveness of God.
Very interesting blog peice John. For certain fellowships the need for increased community activity and involvment may be greater than others. The mistake is not the recognition of such and the desire to be more active in the community but it is that when we accomplish our objectives we have gotten so caught up in the ‘process’ of building community that we fail to take out ‘GroupLife’ to the next level and new places. Not necessarily a horizontal level so to speak but we just get caught in a rut. Jesus brought together community very well. But then He released them to go and make disciples.
Hey Boyd. Great to hear from you! Appreciate your thoughts!