The Church and Change

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Traditionally the Church has been slow to change, even resistant to change. Yet, we’re living in a day when change is not only inevitable but necessary. The question isn’t “if” we change but “how” we change.

In a book first copyrighted back in 1998, Howard G. Hendricks wisely wrote something even more relevant for today:

Has your church outlived its usefulness? Will it still have something to contribute even five years from now? Only if it embraces change. For change is the ocean in which our society swims. As Charles Handy of London School of Economics has put it, we inhabit an age of discontinuity, a chaotic time in which the rate of change itself is accelerating rapidly. Is it possible for your church to survive, let alone thrive, amid such chaos? Absolutely! But it will require more than “business as usual.” Above all, it will require creativity – the ability to envision and embrace a new future. (Color Outside the Lines: A Revolutionary Approach to Creative Leadership – link goes to one of our affiliate stores).

When talking about our need to be creative as a Church, we must understand that creativity doesn’t have to translate into a humanistic, worldly pursuit. The fluidity, adaptability, and responsiveness we need does not have to convert into compromise.

Basics to Remember about the Church and Change

Wisdom's Foundation Has ConsequencesIn God’s economy, the end does not justify the means. So, if we want to change in ways that glorify God and bring us out even better as a Church on the other side, then we need to follow these basics:

1) Distinguish between that which is negotiable and that which is non-negotiable.

While change may be necessary let’s remember that not everything changes. We still hold tight to our unchanging God and His absolute truth (Ps. 90:2; Isa. 40:8; Heb. 13:8; James 1:17).

2) Always turn to the Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:15-16; Col. 1:15-18) for wisdom and the steps to take.

The Church is still HIS Church so let’s keep praying about our situation and changes that need to be made. Now is not the time to be governed by circumstances, fears, the world, or even what other churches are doing. We can learn from others, but our Lord should always have the final word on what we do.

3) Don’t settle for becoming less of the Church than God intends for us to be.

Seek to make changes by His grace and power that maximize the potential for:

For more about change management in light of the basics of life in Christ, go to: TrainChurchLeaders Change Management Category

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Sowing & Reaping

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The concept of sowing and reaping originated with God.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:7-9)

Implications of the Principle of Sowing & Reaping for Believers

As believers, we choose whether or not to engage in activities that have the potential of bringing about a lot of good for ourselves and others, as well as bringing glory to God. But, we must be careful, for even “Christian activities” can be done in a way that pleases the flesh rather than pleasing the Spirit. Here’s what we need to remember:

1) Outward appearances don’t impress God. He “weighs the heart” (Prov. 21:2). So, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

We might fool people by doing all the right things but eventually we will reap what we’ve sown. — A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. (Lk. 6:45)

2) What we sow into our lives will ultimately reveal itself for what it is. “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

We do not always see the good, or harm, our lives might bring but in the end, it will either count for eternity or not. — If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Cor. 3:12-15)

3) Since we will not always reap immediate fruit, it’s important we continue sowing good “for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

We will be more likely to persevere when we do what we do with the right motives, perspective, and attitudes. We will be less likely to persevere when our heart isn’t into it for everything we do flows from the heart (Prov. 4:23).

Sowing & Reaping - So Good into Our Lives

Sowing Good into Our Lives Discipleship Acrostics looks at what believers do (Bible reading/study, character development, giving, outreach, prayer, relationship building, serving, and worship) in light of good traits that need to be sown into these activities.

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Use Your Spiritual Gifts to Spur Others on to Serve

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Use Spiritual Gifts to Spur One Another on to ServeWhether within the walls or outside of the church building, God intends for us to serve. And, He also instructs us to encourage, or prod, each other to serve.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Heb. 10:24)

We are still the Church, whether meeting together or not. We’re members of one another who benefit from each other’s use of their spiritual gifts.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:7)

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Cor. 12:26-27)

It only stands to reason that we would “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” in accordance with the gift(s) God has given us.

Examples of Using our Spiritual Gifts to Spur Others on to Serve

Since the last couple of posts have looked at the seven gifts in Romans 12, we’ll continue using those spiritual gifts for examples.

1) prophecy

People with the spiritual gift of prophecy will tend to be the ones to give warning to God’s people not to be slack or idle (1 Thess. 5:14), pointing them to exhortations in God’s Word like Romans 12:11. – “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

2) service

By doing tasks that need to be done, people with the spiritual gift of service can free others up to devote their time in serving more in accordance with how God gifted them.

3) teaching

Someone with the spiritual gift of teaching could provide training for new or different ways of serving to better equip people for ministry. Or, taking a step back, they may begin with teaching about spiritual gifting and God’s design for the Body.

4) exhortation

People with the spiritual gift of exhortation will tend to “encourage the disheartened” (1 Thess. 5:14) who need to see their potential and believe God truly does have purpose for them no matter what the circumstances might be.

5) giving

Serving can require money or other kinds of resources people don’t have so someone with the spiritual gift of giving can bless them with the finances or supplies needed to do the work.

6) leadership

Many people want to serve but don’t know how to begin. Someone with the spiritual gift of leadership can help them see the possibilities and work with them to set goals for getting started.

7) mercy

People with the spiritual gift of mercy want to “help the weak” (1 Thess. 5:14). They can provide the added support someone with some sort of disability, sickness, or age-related issue, need to be able to serve.

This is the kind of impact we can have on each other, to spur each other on in serving, whether inside or outside of the church building walls.

Not sure which gift(s) you might have? – Online Spiritual Gifts Test

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Ways to Use Spiritual Gifts Outside of Church Walls

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Stewards of Spiritual Gifts Even Outside Church Building

Being a faithful steward of the spiritual gifts God has given, begins with using them. Determining how to use them in what have long been ministries within the Church tends to be more obvious than using them in ways we’re not accustomed to, like outside the walls of the church building.

Determining How to Use Your Spiritual Gifts Outside of Church Walls

Since Romans 12 was referenced in the previous post, take time to consider how the seven gifts listed in that passage might be used to either serve the Church remotely or to serve the community. Below you’ll find the main issue to think about in looking for a way to serve. The possibilities could depend on your specific situation, passions of your heart, available resources, and the like. Take time to pray about how God would have you use the spiritual gifts He’s given you.

1) prophecy

Think of platforms that can be used to speak up about what’s biblically right, to help people know what God, in accordance with His Word, expects of them.

2) service

Think of tasks that need to be accomplished, no matter how menial they might seem.

3) teaching

Think of platforms for a more logical, systematic approach to communicating God’s Word.

4) exhortation

Think of ways to come alongside of people with words that build them up.

5) giving

Think of people or ministries in need of financial assistance or other resources.

6) leadership

Think of ministry that needs to be accomplished that can use some oversight to establish goals and develop a vision for accomplishing those goals.

7) mercy

Think of those who are the vulnerable in our churches or society (i.e., elderly, disabled, poor, sick) with needs to be met.

Get a few specific ideas of how each of the above gifts might be used outside of the church walls in the Ministry Handbook: Spiritual Gifts in Use. That resource expands the list of gift to include gifts found in other passages of Scripture. The majority of the handbook looks at gifting for 16 broad ministry areas under which most of your church ministries typically fall as well as 27 specific tasks that may need to be accomplished in most of those ministry areas.

Not sure which gift(s) you might have? – Online Spiritual Gifts Test

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Spiritual Gifts Used Outside Church Building Walls?

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Often we think of spiritual gifts in terms of ministry within the Church. But,

1) There are ways to serve the Church remotely.
2) There are ways to serve the community.

No Biblical Qualifications Limiting the Use of Spiritual Gifts to Inside or Outside the Church Building Walls

Look at the qualifications for using spiritual gifts in Romans 12:6-8.
Stewards of Spiritual Gifts Even Outside Church Building

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Notice the absence of “where” the gifts can be used.

The emphasis, instead, is on using your gifts:

  • if it is serving then serve
  • if it is teaching then teach
  • if it is to encourage, then give encouragement …

And, we find qualifications on the way you use your gifts:

  • If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
  • if it is giving, then give generously;
  • if it is to lead, do it diligently;
  • if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

The key? — Use your spiritual gift(s) and do so with the right heart attitude.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Pet. 4:10)

You’ll find this content in the Ministry Handbook: Spiritual Gifts in Use which primarily deals with which spiritual gifts fit 16 broad ministry areas under which most of your church ministries would fall as well as 27 specific tasks that may need to be accomplish in most of those ministry areas.

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Worship a Priority?

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Loving God Make Worship a Priority

How can we love God with all of who we are (Matt. 22:37) and not spend time telling Him what we think of Him, how much we adore Him? Making worship a priority seems to be the logical response.

9 Biblical Reasons to Make Worship a Priority

A walk through the Bible shows how much of a priority worship should be for God’s people.

  1. Refusal to worship caused Satan’s fall. (Isa. 14:12-14)
  1. Worship was central in the Old Testament law. (Ex. 20:1-7; 34:14)
  1. God gave Moses detailed plans for tabernacle worship. (Ex. 25-30)
  1. God gave David detailed plans for temple worship. (1 Chron. 22-26)
  1. Israel was judged because they did not worship God. (2 Chron. 7:21-22; 24:18; Jer. 16:10-11; 22:8-9)
  1. People have risked their lives rather than stop worshiping God. (Dan. 3:10-18, 28; 6:1-28)
  1. Jesus lived to glorify the Father. (Jn. 2:13-17; 8:29; 13:31-32; 17:1)
  1. Worship was an integral part of early church life. (Acts 2:42-47)
  1. Worship will continue into eternity. (Rev. 4:10-11; 7:11-12; 11:16-17; 19:4-8)

As we see throughout Scripture, we will put no other God before Him when we love Him with ALL of our affection, ALL of our very being — now and forevermore.

This content on worship, along with some other thoughts on worship, is included in the Church Purpose Manual, as one of the ways we fulfill our purpose to love God.

Some resources on worship:

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