Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. -- Philippians 3:12-14, NIV
Change is inevitable. It is not only to be expected, but to be pursued. If you are a believer, my hope is that spiritually you are not where you were when you first acknowledged your faith in Christ. The same is true for any church, family, business, or not-for-profit organization. If you are now exactly what you were when you first started your journey, you are not effective in your mission. As our context changes, our beliefs remain stable, but our methodologies change.
Still using a mimeograph machine at your church? Probably not. Does your pastor carry around a cellphone? Probably. Do you have indoor plumbing? Undoubtedly. All those examples are a bit facetious, but you understand the point I am making.
If change is inevitable, how do we undertake it with integrity—with clarity, coherence, and transparency? We might begin by asking these questions.
First, what is really important to us? These are the values that guide us. They are as important as our mission—our reason for existing. They provide the “north star” in determining and designing the change that is needed while keep us faithful to who we are. I once consulting with a church that had dwindled to a few faithful members and could no longer maintain their historic building. After much discussion and prayer, they determined that two values that were important to them was their fellowship with each other and their ministry in the community. The change they embraced as selling the building, renting space so that they could continue to worship together, and use the resources from the sale of their property to impact their community.
Second, are we willing to learn and to unlearn? Change requires not only learning something that we did not know but unlearning some things we do know. For example, there are significant spiritual disciplines that have been practiced by believers for centuries and contributed to their growth. Perhaps practicing one of these disciplines is a way forward for our people, but we may not only have to learn the practice but overcome some prejudice toward that practice. Walking the labyrinth has been a blessing for many believers down through Christian history, but I have heard it dismissed by some as “New Age”! Are we humble enough to learn and to unlearn?
Third, how does this change impact others? Change is not comfortable for most of us, even if it is necessary. Involving as many voices as possible in designing the change helps. We want all voices “in the tent” rather than murmuring on the outside. We want to avoid change destroying relationships. We also want to honor the heritage that has birthed and sustained us. This process requires discussion, humility, and prayer.
Fourth, are we willing to sacrifice in order change? The old phrase, “No pain, no gain” comes to mind. If there is not a sense of discomfort, has change really happened? Change will require sacrifice and the willingness to compromise for the good of the mission. Will the sacrifice as well as the benefit of the change be shared by all? When we start something new, we will probably have to give something up. What will that be and how do we leave it aside with grace?
Life is change—both for individuals and groups. The alternative is entropy and death. The writer of Philippians understood the truth of continuing to “press on” to follow the call of Christ.
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