New Ideas!

New Ideas always are a problem, whether in our homes or in our churches. Understand I am someone who is very skeptical about change, but I embrace it when I am convinced it is (1) in keeping with the guidelines found in God's Word and (2) it will really benefit God's Church.

Not all ideas are good ideas, just because they are new, nor are they of necessity bad, just because they are new. I got a chuckle out of the following story about embracing change:

      The elderly priest, speaking to the younger priest, said, "It was a good idea to replace the first four pews with plush theater seats. It worked. The front of the church fills first."

      The young priest nodded, and the old one continued, "And you told me a little more beat to the music would bring young people back to church, so I supported you when you brought in that rock' n' roll gospel choir. We are packed to the balcony."

"Thank you, Father," answered the young priest, "I am pleased you are open to the new ideas of youth."

"However," said the elderly priest, "I'm afraid you've gone too far with the drive-through confessional."

"But, Father," protested the young priest, "my confessions have nearly doubled since I began that!"

"I know, son," replied the old man, "but that flashing neon sign, 'Toot 'n' Tell or Go to Hell,' is just not staying on the church roof."

It is a blessing for us that God did not give us directions on everything we do. Yes, he did allow us some leeway on how we do some things. I'm not saying that we change the doctrine of the church or God's plan of Salvation, or our worship as outlined in God's Word. But we shouldn't be afraid to embrace new ways of doing the old things.

I know that some of us don't like change, yet there are some who like new things and change. There is nothing wrong with that. God made us different. If you don't like change I'm sorry, but the world in which we live is constantly changing.

We continue to try and improve our facilities; we are trying to complement our worship and bible study periods with a new sound system and coming soon a new projector system. A new way of presenting the message, but we are not changing the message. I can remember preachers hanging white sheets behind the pulpit with a bible message printed on it, we don't do that anymore. We found a better way. In years past we often knocked doors and passed out flyers about our church. Now we mail bible study material and information about our church into 2,000 homes around our building. We have a website with sermons you can listen to in your own home. We have email contacts, etc. in other words, we have changed, but the message hasn't and I like that! I kind of even like the idea of the flashing neon sign on top of the building…. Well, maybe even I'm not quite ready for that much change.