Man of Depravity - Tyler Braun's posts on Church Ministry, Worship, Seminary, and Theology.

The Problem With Change

2009 June 02

by Tyler

The problem with change is that we all hate it. All of us hate it at varying levels and in different ways, but no one can say that they always love change.

Since classes finished for the summer I’ve been reading a book titled Spirituality by Carl McColman. It has been a fun read because Carl takes a very nonacademic approach toward a relationship with God. Something that is needed for me after a long school year.

Carl tackles the problem of change for religious people in a great way. He says:

Religions resist change for the simple reason that any given change might prove to be spiritually harmful. The attitude in such resistance is, “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”

Even the Book of Common Prayer shows Christianity’s incessant fear with change. It says (page 133):

Protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness.

I often wonder if those who resist change within their churches are more scared that something bad could happen rather than hoping change could produce a greater good.

The difference of mindset changes everything.

The problem with change can also be that there are areas where Christianity should not change. A life of following Christ should mean there are areas that never change and areas where change should be endless. And the only way to determine all this is through discernment.

If I could sum up the problem churches are having in reaching my generation it would be in one word: change. Churches have created sacred cows that they will not allow to change and in turn they run the young people out of their church. Sure, the millennial generation has a problem some call an entitlement complex (wanting control before it is earned), but when churches refuse to change in all the wrong areas they have no choice but to start their own thing.

What dangers do you see in resisting change?

Filed under: the rest...

http://www.vinthomas.com/blog Vin Thomas

I just read a cool book about change. It’s called “Who Moved My Cheese”. I was thinking about how it relates to the culture shift that has happened (or should happen) in the church. It might be a good read. Only about an hour to get through it.
http://gr8-g8.blogspot.com/ eric lopez

What dangers do I see in resisting change?

I see the dangers of people from all generations not understanding and fearing change. when change is feared the essential aspect of putting faith in God is avoided, so we cheat ourselves into a half relationship with God and that doesn’t work.
Someone told me once, if we don’t ever change then stuff dies, so change although uncomfortable is necessary.
Also we are so self centered. when we think its all about us, fear is greater, pride is destructive and pain is way more common.
http://ash-nits.blogspot.com ash

a wise man by the name of lloyd rindels once told me “change comes hard, change comes slow, but change does come.”

resisting change? it’s coming anyway, the bible says that the seasons change- there is a time for everything. so i don’t know if it’s a matter of resisting as it is a matter of attitude when it approaches. are we going to embrace it w/ every fiber of our being expanding the adventure God has for us (individually & corporately) or will we blame God for unfortunate matters?

in hinds feet on high places, much afraid’s companions were sorrow and suffering and along the way as her life and being changed, these two became her greatest friends. but she only saw the joy in her change when she embraced them as friends. when she fretted and worried- it was much harder.

the same goes for every person, church, etc.