29 March, 2024

Change: How to Accomplish the “˜Impossible”

by | 26 December, 2007 | 0 comments

By Mark A. Taylor

“Why don”t you just talk with them?” I suggested.

She and I were discussing a married couple in the church whose attitudes would probably slow down progress on our ministry project.

“Because it won”t do any good,” she answered quickly. “I”ve discovered through the years that talking to people about some way they need to change seldom results in making the change happen.”

Even though I”ve forgotten the details surrounding this conversation, I still wrestle with this Christian leader”s conclusion.

Don”t talk to people about change? But isn”t the church in the change business? Hasn”t Paul exhorted us to “be transformed” instead of conforming to the world”s patterns of ego, pride, and self-interest (Romans 12:2)? Didn”t he say everyone in Christ “is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17)? Aren”t our sermons and lessons all about moving from the old to the new?

And wouldn”t all of us prefer the freshness, beauty, and function of the new to the stale, tattered brokenness of the old?

Maybe not. Climbing out of a rut takes too much effort for some. They”d rather stay where they know the way. Even if it”s dark and stuffy, even if they can only glimpse the blue sky and imagine the fresh air above them, they won”t expend the energy to scale the walls. They”re more comfortable repeating the same paths and duplicating the same dysfunctional patterns. After all, they have plenty of company down there in the mud.

When I remember my friend”s remarks, I wonder about changes I should make but no one will tell me. What are my glaring weaknesses, embarrassing idiosyncracies, and persistent mistakes that everyone but me knows all too well?

Jackina Stark mentions a key to this problem in her essay this week. We”re transformed through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). And that happens as we decide, on our own, to submit to the commands and ideals of God”s Word.

Years ago a mentor in ministry reminded me about the secret to change. “The only person you can change is yourself,” he said. Alas, almost four decades later, I still devote far more energy to the weaknesses of others than to strategies for my own growth.

Today, on the threshold of the new year, that”s an approach I need to change.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: Impact Christian Church (Moon Township, Pa.) is seeking an executive pastor. The Christian Campus Foundation (CCF) at the University of Illinois is seeking a full-time director of campus ministry. New Brighton (Minn.) Christian Church needs a new senior minister. Summit Christian College (Gering, Neb.) is accepting applications for the position of academic dean. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Easter Church Attendance’ (1949)

“This Lord’s Day will find nearly all the churches having the largest crowds of the year,” editor Burris Butler wrote in 1949. “It has become almost proverbial that many people attend church on Easter Sunday who never come at any other time” . . .

News Briefs for March 27

Ozark Christian College has updated their logo. Also, briefs from Harlan (Ky.) Christian Church, Summit Christian College, and the Common Grounds Unity Podcast.

The Best Sermon I Never Heard

“Can I tell you about the best sermon I never heard?” Matt Proctor asked the crowd at ICOM last November. “If I could time travel just once . . . I would go back to Luke 24. On that very first Easter Sunday . . . the resurrected Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus, talking with two travelers. . . .”

KCU Announces Agreements with LBC, NEOBC

Kentucky Christian University has announced separate agreements to enable those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisville Bible College or Northeast Ohio Bible College to seamlessly transition into the graduate programs offered by KCU’s Keeran School of Bible and Ministry. . . .

Follow Us