Changing Church
I received notice recently that I must change my website to make it mobile friendly. The world has moved along since I created the site, and if I’m to remain effective, I must adapt. This news was discouraging. It took time and effort to create that site—I’m not a techie. I won’t say I hate change, but I tend to resist it. And by the many pages I found when searching the Internet, I’m not the only one. There are hundreds of pages with advice to make change more palatable.
Change that invites many complaints—at least among people my age and older--is the evolving culture of worship. Sermons don’t sound like they did years ago. Music has changed. We became used to church done in a particular way. It was comfortable. I get that. After a hard week, it’s nice to know what to expect at church. Routine. No surprises. Change happens in the world and in church. Technological advances force a methodology shuffle. New generations move into leadership and communicate in a new way.
Taking time to listen reveals the constant. What hasn't changed is the joy of salvation this new generation expresses. It is the same joy I experienced when I met Jesus, albeit expressed in fresh words and musical notes.
For all generations, comfort is found in one fact that does not change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 ESV
With that promise, we can move ahead with confidence. Repeated again and again in God’s word:
Joshua 1:9 ESV “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 73.23 ESV “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Matthew 28:20 ESV “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
From Genesis to Revelation, God’s word is true and He has not changed. We can climb into bed tonight with the assurance God is constant. Whether we wake up to the sun rise outside our window or to the Light of our heavenly home, where the sun is no longer necessary, God is still God.
Creator, sovereign, righteous, holy, loving, forgiving, merciful, faithful and true.
Change that invites many complaints—at least among people my age and older--is the evolving culture of worship. Sermons don’t sound like they did years ago. Music has changed. We became used to church done in a particular way. It was comfortable. I get that. After a hard week, it’s nice to know what to expect at church. Routine. No surprises. Change happens in the world and in church. Technological advances force a methodology shuffle. New generations move into leadership and communicate in a new way.
Taking time to listen reveals the constant. What hasn't changed is the joy of salvation this new generation expresses. It is the same joy I experienced when I met Jesus, albeit expressed in fresh words and musical notes.
For all generations, comfort is found in one fact that does not change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 ESV
With that promise, we can move ahead with confidence. Repeated again and again in God’s word:
Joshua 1:9 ESV “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 73.23 ESV “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Matthew 28:20 ESV “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
From Genesis to Revelation, God’s word is true and He has not changed. We can climb into bed tonight with the assurance God is constant. Whether we wake up to the sun rise outside our window or to the Light of our heavenly home, where the sun is no longer necessary, God is still God.
Creator, sovereign, righteous, holy, loving, forgiving, merciful, faithful and true.
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