Well, I kind of trailed off in writing about the 5 practices of fruitful congregations, but if you go back to the September 17, 2009 post on "5 Purposes" you'll get the idea.

Today, I'd like to share some thoughts on CHANGE-yep, that thing that churches seem to dread the most.  This past weekend, I made at least one comment about this and it went this way: "...change isn’t easy.  Actually, people don’t fear change as much as they fear loss—loss of familiar & comfortable patterns, behaviors, & attitudes."  Do you believe that? ...

In the past couple of weeks, I have experienced what I believe to be the effects of this truth.  No, change isn't easy; but when it comes down to it, it is the loss of what is familiar and comfortable that really gets to us.  This is true, especially if we are one who still thinks that the Church is all about ... us.

Coming out of one worship service a couple of weeks ago, I was met by a man who was extremely angry about 'how' we did worship that morning--a video segment in particular.  Fortunately, he seemed to be the only one who was angry that morning.  I asked a few people if they thought that the video in worship that morning was too much.  Most made comments like, "It was different, but it was O.K."-knowing that our purpose, even in worship, is to reach those who do not yet know Christ.  One individual commented that there were still far too many in the pews today who still think that church is ... about them ... and just for them.  But, sometimes we need to 'speak a different language'-other than just our usual 'churchese' to communicate with the demographic we are trying to reach...

Anyway, it didn't hit me until some time later-and after a great deal of prayer-that what was happening with this individual was a mourning of loss.  Church isn't the same as it used to be!  New-fangled methods are being used to reach the lost.  And, they didn't like it!  It was a loss of the familiar ... and what had always been comfortable to them.  It makes sense.  I understand this individual better-by God's grace. Anger is very much a part of the grieving process. And, many will grieve as we move from what is familiar to us ... to what is new and, hopefully, relevant.

Let me encourage you, if you are a part of a church today, to be in prayer for those who are grieving.  Forward is the direction the Church needs to move; but the reality is that it can be a painful process. As we move ahead, let's do so with love-God's love. Because, when it comes down to it, loss of what is most familiar & comfortable ... is what hurts the most!

See you soon, Rom