It was a blessed service. The singing was great, the people were happy and friendly, and the fellowship was sweet. They’re getting this right.
Being with such a happy group of God’s people was such a joy.
What would happen, I wondered, if a member who moved back to town after a year’s absence walked into the service. A large screen flashes the words to hymns and choruses. The platform is covered by musical instruments, and an air of informality pervades.
Whoever heard of a church changing? (Smiley-face here)
Churches are always changing. Only the dead ones don’t.
May I repeat that? Churches are always changing—if they are alive. I guarantee you that Saddleback Church (Rick Warren) in Orange County is always tweaking what they do. As does North Point (Andy Stanley) in Alpharetta, and Celebration Church (Dennis Watson) in Metairie.
But we see this same scenario playing out again and again.
You’ve belonged to that church for many years. You were attracted to it because of location and ministry, because you liked the pastor and the people were friendly. You have served the Lord there in numerous capacities and your children grew up there. You have a history with that church. And now …
Now, it’s not the same church.
There’s a new pastor and new leadership. They are attracting a different group of people from the lovely group that drew you in. You feel less and less a part of things. You’re not at home with many of the innovations they’re doing now.
What should you do?
1) Recognize that churches are always in a state of change if they are alive.
Every time someone joins your church or leaves it, the church changes. Every time a member begins to get serious about reading the Word or witnessing or tithing or ministering, or when they backslide, the church changes. It is never static, never a frozen entity.
2) You yourself are growing and changing if you are alive and obedient. I grew up on a certain kind of church music, then grew past that. Later, my tastes changed and, to no one’s surprise, have changed again.
3) Your needs and requirements change.
My tastes change. It’s called “life.” After radiation treatment of the head and neck a full decade ago, many things no longer have a taste at all, while others are as wonderful as ever. I can handle spicy food better than before since I have fewer functioning taste buds. Life is like that.
4) Perhaps you are dragging your feet and resisting something new the Holy Spirit is trying to do in your life.
You are if you insist that the Lord do something again in the same way He did it before. You are dragging your feet and resisting Him if you reject the new things He sends because they are outside your comfort zone. Do you suppose Jonah felt comfortable going to Nineveh? Don’t you know it was way, way outside his comfort zone?
5) Perhaps the Lord has something new for you in the community and you should be in another church. This may be His way of cutting you loose from those ties that have bound you so you can move forward.
6) Are you open to new things? New ways?
If you are not, you’re going to have trouble with the Lord Jesus.
“Behold,” the Lord said, “I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). He wasn’t just talking about Heaven, friend.
He’s making me ever-new right now. Yep, I said that. Psalm 92:12-15 promises that. “The righteous will flourish. … They will still bear fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and very green.”
So, what do you do when your church changes? Grow with it.
