MISSING THE POINT
For God’s Church, change is the point! And yet, most churches have entrenched themselves against change. This explains why the majority of churches are stagnating or in decline and why the majority of people in and outside the church have come to believe that it’s irrelevant.
Tragically, most churches are missing the point.
Of course, I lost some of you with my very first sentence. You’re still wrestling or arguing with me over the idea that change is the point for God’s Church. So, let’s start there. Is there any validity to my claim? I’m going to ask you some questions. If you’re honest in your answers, I believe you’ll ultimately arrive at my conclusion.
What was the impact of Jesus’ ministry in the world?
What’s the impact of the gospel when it’s genuinely embraced?
What’s the result of seriously following Christ and His teaching?
What was the initial and ongoing consequence of the early church when it was working right?
Of course, the honest answer to every one of those questions is CHANGE! This answer is certainly in keeping with Romans 12:2. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
The reason so few outside the church are finding God’s will, and so few inside the church are experiencing it is because so few are being transformed…changed by God’s mind renewing truth.
Here’s the reality all true believers and spiritual leaders must face… Change is the point. When we’re not changing, we’re missing the point. The tragedy of this is two-fold. First, like the Pharisees of old, we miss out on the power of God’s promises and power in our lives. And second, we are unable to help others experience it.
So, here’s the question I’ve been asking myself lately and the one I want to leave with you to ask yourself… Am I simply conforming to a “Christian” lifestyle or am I being transformed by the reality of Christ in my life? Am I experiencing or missing the point? And remember, if we’re missing the point, our churches are missing the point…because we, God’s people, are the church!
I’d love to know your response to or additional thoughts about these ideas.