Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Change - The Six Letter Dirty Word

I've always prided myself in the fact that I belong to a church that embraces change. At least that is what I thought. Come to find out, we may be just like any other regular church with a portion of people who like things "the way they've always been." Personally, I hate when things become regular and predictable. Maybe that's just me.

I say "maybe that's just me" but I know that in reality it's supposed to be "that's just the church." Why? Because Christians should be used to change. Paul wrote in Romans 12 "Do not conform to this world any longer, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." I'm no Greek scholar, but the word transformed (metamorpho) is in what is called the present imperative. The present imperative means that a verb is to be a conntinous action with no end in sight. This means that a more explanatory translation would be "but continue to be transformed by the renewal of your mind."

Continually be transformed. Sounds like Christianity today doesn't it? "We've never done it like that." "We've always done it like that." "My last church always...." "My last pastor always....." Blah, blah, blah. Okay, maybe it doesn't sound like Christianity today.

If any organization should be about change it should be the Church. In youth group tonight I asked what the difference between principles and methods was. Principles are rules or guidelines. Methods are ways of doing something. The church should be about maintaining principles but constantly changing methods. It is a reflection of our Christian lives.

Kingman Christian Church is going through change right now and people are finding it hard to accept. Let me reassure everyone. The PRINCIPLES still remain the PRINCIPLES. We are still committed to God's Word and doing what He has called us to do. Our focus as a church hasn't changed, if anything it is intesifying, but our method is changing. You know what, that's okay. Change seems like a nasty six letter word, but in reality change is much more. Change is a positive biblical principle that all Christians need periodic doses of. We get too comfortable where we are. Change shakes us up and I believe makes us better in the end. It causes us to look at ourselves and make corrections.

We are doing something that is very different and what some thought would never be done by Kingman Christian Church. We are doing a spiritual campaign called 40 Days of Purpose. What's the reason? 40 Days of Purpose is designed to help the Christian see what he/she was designed for and start doing it. The material is nothing new. It is a reemphasis of the basic principles. The goal is not to reeducate people but motivate them.

KCC has talked a big talk for a long time. There have been some who have responded and walked the big walk, but there have been too many who figured other people would pick up their slack. Everyone, EVERYONE, is called to a purpose. Everyone, EVERYONE, has been given gifts to use in conjunction with the rest of the body. If you aren't fulfilling your purpose you are the cause the body to be lame. Lame bodies don't accomplish as much as healthy bodies. The only way KCC will be a healthy body is when everyone realizes they have a part to play and they play it.

It is time to embrace change. This doesn't mean forsaking the principles, but it does mean changing the method. This new method is for six weeks. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. We will make the necessary changes until we find something that does work. We as Christians, and members of the body, owe it to Christ and the Church to do whatever it takes to fulfill our purpose. Is it really too much to ask a Christian to do what is only supposed to be natural? Change?

2 comments:

dlemelin@gmail.com said...

We need to continue to pray for grace and perseverance. I love KCC and it's hard for me too. I plan on using 40 Days of Purpose as a giant magnifying glass, so God can show me what needs to change in me. Even the ugly little stuff that I try to cover up. I've been a Christian for 30 years now. Sheesh, I think I could use a little freshening up. Bring it on Lord.

Anonymous said...

Very well said, Pastor Brian! Amen to that. Romans 12:2 is one of my life verses, along with Romans 8:5. I am very excited about the changes God is going to do in MY life through this 40 days of Purpose journey, and in the life of HIS church! Lynette :)