Torch, Summer 2003

begins to speak of ministerial, institutional, or functional changes necessary as a result of changing spiritual needs, something seems wrong. If the leader of an educational institution speaks of methodological changes necessary to reach and retain a new generation of students, or delivery changes to reach students with a different set of expectations, the faculty and staff may begin to circle the wagons. Change is both inevitable and desirable. It is inevitable in the sense that we will all experience change whether we embrace it or seek to avoid it. It is desirable in the sense that it can be the vehicle by which we are transported from where we are to where we need to be. Part of this resistance to change, at least as it applies to Christian organizations, may be attributed to the use of the term rendered “change” in Scripture. It appears many of the instances of the use of “change” occur in a negative sense. For example, Proverbs 24:21-22 (KJV) reads, “My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?” The most vivid scriptural picture of undesirable change is contained in Romans 1:21-28, which contains Paul’s description of the depravity of man. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature ... And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient (KJV, emphasis added). Our image of God may also be a factor in this resistance to change. Scripture consistently portrays God as unchangeable. In fact, one of the attributes of God is immutability. That simply means that because He is God, He cannot change. The author of Hebrews writes, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever” (Hebrews 13:8, NAS). The inference for many Christians is that because God does not change, they ought not be subject to change either. This inference is rejected in other passages. Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) states, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Here, the term rendered “renew” is the same Hebrew term for “change.” And, in Philippians 3:20- 21 (KJV), we read, “For our Change Is Inevitable Change is an inevitable fact of life. In spite of our greatest efforts, we will change and the people around us will change. Some of these changes will be subtle and nearly indiscernible. Others will be radical and uncomfortable. But, there is no escaping change. Donald L. Kirkpatrick states it as clearly as possible: The word change strikes fear into the minds and hearts of some people. To others, it brings a ray of hope. And this condition will exist until the end of time … There’s no way to avoid it. Changes are going to take place, probably at an increasing rate. Everyone is affected. It is happening in every industry and business. It is happening in every governmental organization and in every home. And those who are in charge must know how to decide on changes and implement them effectively or they will fail (emphasis added). 1 Perhaps the hesitancy to accept change is based on semantics. Few react negatively to the idea of adaptation. Families adapt as newly- married couples become familiar with one another. They adapt further as children first are born and then develop into toddlers, pre- adolescents, and teenagers. Companies adapt as their markets expand, contract, and otherwise adjust. Schools adapt as the knowledge their students need in order to develop into productive members of society changes. Churches adapt to the altered needs of congregations which reflect aging, spiritual growth, and the addition of family members. However, if the president of a company refers to necessary organizational change in reaction to market pressures, workers feel threatened. If the pastor of a church Summer 2003 / TORCH 5