To change or not to change

No one likes change, but none of us still wear leisure suits or the long multi-layered dresses of the 1800s. We drive cars instead of horse drawn buggies. And, in the hot days of summer, we prefer the Air Conditioned homes instead of turning on a few fans and opening all the windows. Some change we embrace willingly, but others we resist.

Thus was my conversation this week with a long time member of the church that I am involved in. She and her friends had given sacrificially in time, talents, gifts and service. She remembers the church when it had a large worshipping congregation and was THE church in the city. She remembers the church in which she raised her children. She remembers a church that was filled twice every Sunday “with little room” left over. She remembers and wishes that it was still that way. And, yet changes comes.

The movement of her beloved traditional service to an earlier time is difficult for her. I really do understand where she is coming from. “I don’t like that jitterbugging music at the non-traditional service … you’ll never catch me clapping in time to the music … it is just too much for me to take.” She is expressing the feelings of other people her age and status in the church. And, yet changes needs to come.

Her beloved organ is now pushed to the corner and sits silent. Here was my opening. I smiled. She asked what I was smiling about because “it isn’t funny not using the organ that I helped raise money to purchase.” “Well,” I said, “it took the church about 150 years to accept the organ as a fitting instrument for use in the church. The earlier Christians didn’t like the organ because it was too loud. They too resisted change in their day.” She fell silent and began to realize that change does come if the church is to survive.

Here is the challenge … how does change come while still ministering to those who would prefer everything to stay the same? My comment to her that traditional worship was being offered at 9 AM on Sunday morning didn’t sit well because, “I cannot get up and moving that fast in order to make it at that hour!” Hmm, seeing the need for change, accepting change is a lot easier when it doesn’t require anything from us personally.

All of this did call to mind a conversation I had with Bishop Dick Wills, when he was the pastor of Christ Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. His church was transitioning to different times for different styles of worship when he was approached by a long standing member who complained that the traditional service was being moved to only at 11 AM instead of one at 8 or 8:30 and repeating it again at 11 AM. Dick informed him that they did offer a traditional service at 11. “I cannot make it at that hour,” the gentleman responded. When Mr. Wills pressed him on this issue the gentleman finally stated, “I have a long standing tee time at 10:45 on Sunday morning!” “Well,” Dick said, “then you probably will need to find someplace else to worship because traditional worship is going to be at 11 AM.” The man turned and left. Dick said that it was the hardest exit he had ever participated in because this gentleman was the largest contributor to the ministry of the church. Change comes when needed and it can be costly, but nevertheless come it must.

Change requires making tough decisions. Change means that everybody will not like you. Change means a lot of different things to a lot of different people – some good, some bad and some just so-so … but change does come, as it must!

Her final word was precious and extremely insightful, “Oh, pastor I don’t mind change as long as it doesn’t involve me!” Therein lies the crux of the matter … it is okay for the other fellow, but please don’t include me … please!

Quote for today: Everything continues in a state of rest unless it is compelled to change by forces impressed upon it. Issac Newton, First Law of Motion