Changing to Be Changed
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
An encouraging sign is beginning to take shape. People who want to grow closer to God have begun to stream into our church. These are men and women who have been searching for something, but haven’t found it; or they’ve found something that they thought would fulfill them, but as time went on, the emptiness re-surfaced. They’ve tried different things that our culture hints are the answers. They’ve locked into relationships that brought them into being temporarily fulfilled. They’ve been party animals, and ski addicts, Bronco fanatics, and “clubbers.”
And now some of them are showing up at our church. They’ve even gotten involved!
We debate about the “welcoming and affirming” issues. Frankly, there’s a much bigger issue and question: Why are more and more people staying away from church? If you want some sobering stats to awaken you when there’s not a Starbucks nearby for natural caffeine, read Reggie McNeal’s book, The Present Future. The percentage of people who attend church decreases with each younger generation. In fact, a high percentage of teens who have been involved in church youth ministries in their high school years stop going to a church soon after high school.
I know, you’re saying that I said an encouraging sign is beginning to take shape. It is. We’re seeing people becoming a part of our community of believers who don’t have their act all together. They’re beginning to ask the question, “My life is void of God. I wonder if the church can help me find God?”
I remember growing up in Baptists churches where the hymnal had a copy of the Church Covenant glued to the inside front cover. The covenant listed all the things that being a member of that church meant. There were some good sound Christian beliefs in that covenant, but my eyes always went to the section about halfway down the page that talked about all the things that we weren’t allowed to do. No alcohol. No dancing. No smoking tobacco products (except at the Baptist church we were a part of in Kentucky, where tobacco was a major cash crop). No swearing. No participation in fun activities on Sundays (my paraphrase!). If someone wanted to become a member of our church they were expected to already have their act together in terms of these things.
The encouraging sign is that people are starting to attend our church who don’t have their act all together. They know they aren’t already changed. They know they have some areas in their life that need transforming, and they’re beginning to sense that the Body of Christ can really help them in their journey.
The other encouraging ripple effect is that some people who have been indoctrinated with “churchianity” are beginning to realize that they don’t have to pretend they’re Righteous Willy or Saint Susan anymore. It’s okay–in fact, it’s freeing–to own up to the fact that long-time church members have struggles.
The word “grace” gets said a lot around our parts. It’s not that we’re minimizing our failures and self-centered rebellions; it’s just that we know we’re all going to screw up. Own up to it, repent, accept forgiveness, and start chasing God again. We’re all changing to be changed.
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Bill Wolfe, Pastor
Highland Park Baptist Church
Colorado Springs, CO
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