Strategic Questions
The church where I am a member wrestles with a variety of matters that are common to many churches throughout the United States.
There is the matter of what we believe and why we believe it.
There is the matter of how to practice our beliefs.
There is the matter of how to respond to others who may have different beliefs or different ways of practicing their beliefs.
There is the matter of how do we take a message, that is thousands of years old, and make it relevant today?
There is the matter of finding reconcilation between long-time, dedicated church members, and new-to-the-congregation, dedicated church members.
In dealing with these matters, there are two crucial questions to ask:
1) Where are we going? (what is God's will for us?)
2) Why are changes necessary?
The failure to answer these questions makes every decision seem an arbitrary one, driven by the preferences of church members. It is tantamount to reaching a decision by asking, "What does everyone like?" And it is also akin to making a decision by asking, "What does everyone not like?"
The goal of churches should not be to cater to the whims of new members. And the goal of churches should not be how to keep long-term members happy.
If the success of the church is directly tied to my happiness, then the church is in big trouble. Even more so, the church has lost her moorings.
The right question to ask is how can we please God?
God is not always pleased with our traditions.
God is also not pleased with meaningless change.
Where are we going?
Why are changes necessary?
Faithfulness to God remains a constant (hopefully) throughout generations of Christ-followers. However, that faithfulness is manifested in unique ways in each generation.
As churches continue to struggle with conflict from within, Christ-followers are charged with pointing to God and discerning His will for our lives and the congregations where we attend.
How would you answer the two questions -- where are we going? and why are changes necessary?
posted by Ben at 2:23 PM
3 Comments:
I believe the Church is supposed to be an anchor in the tumultuous sea of life. The Church should be a constant in a world of change. The constant, I believe, is God's reflection in the lives of the Church. Change is necessary because the needs of the lost change around us. If we stayed the same, how could we grow to meet the ever-shifting needs of those who do not know Christ? Change is evident in the facts that we don't meet in members' homes (for the main service, anyway), we don't baptize in the river, we don't drink wine for communion, we each have our own Bible to study, etc.; the first century Christians had none of these "necessary" tools. We should consider the reason for changes that we make (what in our walk with God demands that we change), and we should consider why we don't change (what in our walk with God demands that we keep doing what we already do). Doing what we do because that is what we have always done (when God shows us a better, different way) is not good enough.
First, foremost, define change: Opposite of tradition (or normality); Actions taken to lead to “changed” state.
If we all are striving for the same, God’s will, why is change an issue! Because change is inevitable! Change is actions and these actions affect our results or the final “changed” product. Agree with first commentary that we do not baptize in rivers, have our own Bibles to study, etc. ………Agree that “because it is what we have always done” is NOT a reason to prevent change. However, changing for the sake of changing or adapting to worldly pleasures is NOT a reason for change EITHER. I strongly dislike pessimism and almost can say I struggle with hating it because it is currently providing roadblocks in my walk with God! "If we can recognize that change and uncertainty are basic principles, we can greet the future and the transformation we are undergoing with the understanding that we do not know enough to be pessimistic." ~ Hazel Henderson Let’s not skirt the issues, let’s bring some to the table!!!
Let’s take into consideration Song Service as an example:
Tradition: Song Books vs Change: Overhead Production
What’s the Point?…….Yes, some are voicing concerns! So let’s look at Why changed? I presume to allow members to sing out (not have their head stuck in a book) as well as allow freedom to move from one song to the next without calling out numbers from the book. “Sing and make melody in your heart,” RIGHT? This does not direct us to “Open your book to #897 and sing and make melody in your heart,” RIGHT? I LOVE the projected words on the wall, but GOD gifted me with perfect vision!!! ALL individuals CAN see/read from the books that are readily available on each and every pew, now collecting dust! Does God forbid us to use books!? I think NOT! Why not continue to call song numbers? Should we sacrifice those who now cannot participate for the convenience to not call out numbers? I think NOT! Want to sing new songs??? Pass out sheets with the music and don’t offer a new one every week! Slowly introduce new songs! New members or visitors of the church may even find some of our traditional songs to be new ones to them!!! So PLEASE, PLEASE be considerate! I do not feel comfortable singing out on a song if I don’t know it and sure that there are many other music illiterate individuals among us as well! ;)
Here’s Another:
Tradition: Ending Service in an Invitation Song and Prayer vs Change: Joyous Holding of Hands during the last song after the prayer? Truly, I am filled with joy to hear the encouraging words that members of the congregation are receiving from this event (change in action). How many of you are aware that several people leave or start talking after the prayer because they honestly believe service is OVER, whether tradition or not receptive to change! One recently told me this was the favorite part of this individual’s worship time which did lead me to really search within myself before speaking on this issue!
1) So Big Deal? Yes, big deal…… First and foremost, we are ending service with a song! Tradition maybe so! However, I thought worship service is about God, not serving ourselves!!! What about ending service with a song of praise and then talking to God with a praise and appreciation prayer…..what better gift of praise than to tell him about it!!! If ending in prayer is truly out of praise, for the individual mentioned who loves this part of worship…….I truly respect your desire to close with song!
2) For all others, please, please be considerate! The change has been introduced and those wanting to participate and receive much from it……go for it……..announced or not……nothing has to hold you back!!!!! No cheerleading please! DON'T boast over the change or the dislike of this change!!! Don't force it either!!! I cannot believe so called “leaders” of us are not bothered by making others feel uncomfortable. I almost feel at times as though some feed off making others uncomfortable! I am specifically refering to "leaders" announcing their knowledge of discomfort of some Church members but that they are directing the Church to do it anyway, when the action is not even to be presumed a Scriptural action/argument. To others, are you NOT “respecting your elders” as Jesus commanded! You don't care that you are insulting “traditionalist,” nor considerate of several immune compromised members? Have you thought about cultural considerations (some cultures are not comfortable with touching others outside of the “blood” family) or germ phanatics in general??? OR are you so preoccupied in you own wants and desires to “take control” that you cannot find that you are hurting a fellow brother! Is love of God really directing your actions!!! If you want to hold hands, SO hold hands! The leader should strive to for comfortable not knowingly promote an action causing some members to prematurely end their worship service!!! What a wonderful gift (ending of service) in which to look forward to……..or is it!?!? Note: I was FAR more moved (cried with joy) to see a teen randomly stand during a “sitting” song one morning for the whole congregation to lead. Praise God that we have reached the sole of a teen!
To summarize, "All things in this world are impermanent. They have the nature to rise and pass away. To be in harmony with this truth brings true happiness." ~ Buddhist chant My greatest gifts in life, wellness and integrity, is not from spending time with those my own age or immature in their spiritual walk but my relationship with my parents and those elders that in which my family spends a large portion of our time!
Church,
I charge you to “Respect your elders,” for they are much wiser than you!!! Teach your children the same by example!!! Changes to integrate the old and young, the white and black, the smart and the smarter, the leaders and the followers with optimistic efforts and positive attitudes will go much farther in saving soles than division!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! End the cliques! Make a point to socialize with those you don’t know very well! (It may not be what you get from it but what you give to it!) Teach our children unity, not segregation! Invite your child to service, rather than fussing about “no children’s service this week!” We don’t send out the old ones because they can’t hear? We help buy them hearing devices! We should study what Jesus said about praise and worship? We should listen to others concerns about their stumbling blocks to worship service and not argue with them and segregate them from us but express our love for them and share our own stumbling blocks and try to integrate their traditions within small actions of change! Consider doing this in small groups, rather than allowing 1 individual to direct the change of the congregation! I am sure that everyone in a congregation was not given a Bible upon circulation of the Bible; rather it took YEARS of getting the actual words in print to individuals and took many to spread it! Most importantly, remember our focus needs to be on God!
beatlebob,
I like your point about discerning "what in our walk with God demands that we change" and "what in our walk with God demands that we keep doing what we already do?"
Those points are so critical for use to consider. When we focus on worship styles and/or practices, to the exclusion of dealing with such critical questions (as you have pointed out), we lose focus and treat symptoms rather than the real issue.
Thanks for the comment, beatlebob.
Anonymous,
I like the thoughtfulness behind your comments. It is obvious that you have done a great deal of thinking about the matters on which you commented.
Change is inevitable (as you point out), and often we meet change with pessimism. I am thankful that you are fighting the urge to be pessimistic. I need to continue to fight that battle as well. However, I am very optimistic about things at our congregation.
My optimism is one reason your point about building bridges (or as you put it "integrating") hit close to my heart. Building bridges is the key. Thank you for reminding all of us of this crucial point.
There is such a fine line when it comes to exercising spiritual freedom and avoiding harming a fellow believer. Certainly, we need to pray for wisdom, search the sacred Scriptures, and ask God's Spirit to guide us.
We need to always be considerate of others (as you mentioned). This is part of having the "attitude of Christ."
Change for change sake is meaningless and tends to be disruptive rather than encouraging. Without reasons for implementing change, such changes are simply arbitrary (and that is not a good thing).
As far as your point about calling out song numbers and singing from song books, well, I'd rather just sing straight out of the Bible (in that regard, I am pretty old fashioned). People sometimes tell me that I need to move into the current century. Oh well. I'm trying.
Thanks again, anonymous for your thoughtful comments. Building bridges is much better than erecting walls.
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