FRIENDLY FIRE
It has been long said that, “Some people will change when they see the light. But others will only change when they feel the heat. (Garner 8)” There can be no doubt that some, if not most, human beings tend to militate against the idea of change. Whether it comes to their own day to day habits and practices, or on a larger scale that effects the lives of others around them; maintaining a, ‘status quo’, is the preferable outcome for most people, when given a choice in the matter. People don’t like change; they postpone it, avoid it, and yes, even fear it! If that weren’t bad enough, it gets much worse! Shockingly, it appears that, not only does our human psyche resist change; so does the entire material universe in which we live! Issac Newton declared in his First Law of Motion that, “Everything continues in a state of rest unless it is compelled to change by forces impressed upon it. (Fratutschi 114)” Wow, how can we compete with that, right? Perhaps, the problems of implementing change have been overstated a bit here, but it does help to illustrate the difficulties we encounter when we attempt to do so, and sadly, this predicament applies to changes made in churches as well.
The need for implementing changes within a church can revolve around many issues. Obviously, there are necessary adjustments that must be made in response to, personnel challenges, doctrinal disagreements, disciplinary actions, and financial setbacks, but the perceived need for promoting church growth is usually the driving motivation for changes that occur. However, this can be somewhat of a manufactured crisis in the life of a church, frequently caused by overambitious pastors and church leaders, which can have the effect of producing a self-inflicted wound upon their own church members, if done carelessly. Church growth consultants acknowledge this by saying, “…that the greatest differentiating factor between a mega church and a church that it still going through growth challenges is one thing. … your pain threshold… that area of your life which allows you to grow, stagnate, or even regress… You will only grow to the threshold of your pain. The more pain you can handle, the more you will grow… (Chand 1)” What kind of pain is he talking about though? Certainly, healthy growth within a church is a good thing, as it serves to breathe new life into the fellowship, and allows them to engage in larger ministry opportunities, but carnally motivated growth, for man-centered purposes can destroy a unified body of believers, as well as devastate the lives of the individual members as well. The following verse comes to mind: “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (NKJV 1 Tim 6:10)”
Change brought about to promote growth can be very painful, there is no doubt about it, but sometimes it is necessary to endure some pain, in order to achieve a better outcome for a body of believers who have grown cold, lazy, complacent, and passive about the mission and vision of the church. Jesus used the term, “lukewarm” when speaking of a church who had basically, stopped doing things for the right reasons, just seeking to be comfortable, but Jesus rebuked them sharply saying, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked… (NKJV Rev 3:15-17)” What a great representation of a church needing to change, but not willing to see the need for it. They saw themselves as doing what was required of them, and not needing to change, but Jesus’ evaluation of them could not have been any more dissimilar. Without question, where repentance and godly change are needed, church leaders and members need to get on their knees, cry out to the Lord confessing their sins, and bring forth repentance that is worthy of the confession of their lips, i.e. the good fruit!
However, whenever real pain starts to be inflicted upon a church and its members, as a result of changes designed to promote growth, merely for the sake of growth; there comes a need to re-examine whether this inevitable damage, often done to the individual members, can be justified, as the frenzy for growth intensifies. Friendly fire should not be tolerated in the Body of Christ, but church leaders, who are considering the relational pain that will ultimately result when their selfish agendas are advanced, are asked by growth consultants and mega-church development specialists to just examine, “…which relationships to hold on to... What relationships brought you to this point, but can't take you any further? Who, at one time used to add value... but now not only do they not add value, but they're detracting value ...because our life journeys have become that divergent. (Chand 1)” Call it what you will, that sounds a lot like corporate speak for, “climb to the top of the ladder, no matter who you have to step on or over, in the process of getting there!”
There must be an acknowledgement that at some points along the way, it is possible and even probable that, we will necessarily begin to disagree with longtime fellow-servants as to the future direction of the church, in order to avoid becoming, “lukewarm” or ineffective. This seems unavoidable to some degree, and it does indeed become a painful aspect of the ministry experience, when it occurs. Nevertheless, this does not justify the jettisoning of the precious hearts and souls of faithful men and woman who have faithfully served alongside you, for decades in some cases, because their gifts and talents failed to register on some conversion chart at the latest ‘strategic innovation and expansion’ seminar. Imagine Jesus saying to His, let’s face it, less than perfect leadership team, “Hey, you guys just can't take me any further? At one time you added value to me, but now not only do you not add value to me, you’re detracting value from me, because our life journeys have become so divergent.”
This is Ridiculous! God doesn't misuse and abuse His people in this way, and He doesn't allow His shepherds to do it either. God’s people add value because they are God’s people. His Spirit is at work in and through them, accomplishing the things that He desires to, and if we will just do our job equipping, encouraging, and empowering them to do so, and then get out of their way, they will produce good fruit! God sends people into our churches for specific reasons, with the expectation that the leadership will fully employ those soldiers in the work of His Kingdom, to the best of their abilities! The changes that come as a result of these new members being added to the fellowship must be done patiently and prayerfully. Prayer that the leadership team first understands God’s will and wisdom for future plans, and that He imparts that wisdom to them in order to implement that plan. Prayer for those within the body to be in one accord with that vision and are willing to be participants within it. Prayer for growth and unity within the body, both spiritually and numerically, “…with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph 4:2-3)” Change is inevitable, but when done in a godly manner, God's people can be blessed and encouraged by them.
By Pastor Glen Mustian
Works Cited:
Chand, Samuel. What is the difference between leaders of small churches and mega churches?
Chand, Samuel. Cracking Your Church’s Culture Code: 2011.
Garner, Eric. The Art of Leadership.Print. Ventus Publishing, APS. Falkoner Alle, Denmak. Ebook.
Fratutschi, Steven. The Mechanical Universe: Mechanics and Heat. Cambridge University Press. New King James Version. The Holy Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishing. Nashville, TN. Print. 2002.
