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.
