On Change
As of late, we have seen some changes around our church building. For those outside the area, Foundry church was the original church in Bend and when given options for a location, purposely chose to plant a Jesus flag at the "bottom of Bond" where one could find most of the bars, brothels, and dance halls that entertained loggers and mill workers. We are still in the same location and in the 3rd building. Over the years, while the structure has remained the same, the insides have changed with the times with the purpose of being relevant to anyone who finds themselves at the "bottom of Bond" and who might like to hear about Jesus.
Compared to the few physical plant changes we now see, it was a much bigger deal when we replaced pews with chairs and (horrors!) yanked out the pipe organ, or when we redid the platform without a choir loft and fence, then we dropped First Baptist for Foundry as a name. Now, we have new lighting and new dark paint on the walls and the grand piano is in the lobby. As the leadership talked and prayed through how to make our building more approachable, some folks have struggled with changes like these. We associate sameness with security, things we can count on to be the same when much of the world seems to change constantly. Change can be a challenge for the best of us.
A bit ago, I ran across a Rick Warren line in the middle of one of his talks that talked about change, and the price it exacts.
If anything is alive it is constantly changing.
There is no life without change...
There is no change without loss...
There is no loss without pain...
And it is alright to grieve in our loss and pain, but the point is to grow toward the change.
Like you, I want to be alive. When I step back and consider Warren's idea, I can agree with it. While I might desire to "freeze-frame" my life at a high point with family and faith-family and even our town, I know that is impossible. If I am to be alive, if my church family is to be alive, we will be in a constant state of change. Most of this will be incremental and often unnoticed except in hindsight; other times change will come in fits and spurts, but they are all signs of life.
Talking about this a few months ago, Trevor, our pastor, reminded our congregation that while we make changes to our building and methods, our message has not and will never change. That message, the Good News, that Jesus came to earth and lived as a model and mentor for us, then died the death we could never die so that we could be made new and adopted into the family of God. With our sins cleansed by his work, we are freed up to live a life truly alive, holding over our heads this message so any other person might come along.
The rub comes with the latter part of Warren's quote. No change without loss, no loss without pain. In order for me to change to something new, I must let go of former things, even good things that no longer fit. That is a loss. And with any loss there is pain and some sadness. People deal with loss and grief in various ways. Some will shrink and mourn what was lost and maybe even go elsewhere to find what had been so comfortable. Others will get their backs up and fight against any alteration to what had been (maybe that's why so many churches have split over trivial matters!). A better move would be to understand those things that are essential and eternal and hold to those, while going along with the changes that at first might seem odd or faddish and see how they work out.
I wonder if Euodia and Syntyche got sideways with one another over some small change or differing agenda. Most scholars say that Paul's letter to the Philippians is his warmest, and the church appears to be the healthiest around. Yet, because their fellowship was filled with just folks, there were spats and disagreements, and at least these two women were in an open feud. Listen to Paul at the end of his letter to the church.
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended by my side in the cause of the gospel....
Some (to Paul) inferior matter had derailed a friendship in the midst of the congregation and it had become a major issue. He calls on one of the leaders to step in and do resolution and reconciliation work so as not to do damage to the larger mission. I think there is a lesson here for us. Disagreements are common enough, but they can and should be worked out, and often need someone to act as mediator. If it has to do with change, loss and pain will come with it.
Ultimately, if we are alive, we must change. Whenever change comes, loss of what was is part of the process. And change can be hard to embrace, but soon will be the new normal. In the process, we will necessarily have to let go of some things and that will cause sadness and even pain. But the hope amidst change is growth and effectiveness and a voice into communities that no longer hear us. Let's commit to be alive, together, and work toward continued growth so we can best hold forth the light of Jesus into a dark world.
Music anyone?
**If you have yet to see Jesus Revolution...Go! Here is a bit of music from that time
And funnies for the road ahead
A young man and a pastor are playing a round together. At a short par 3 the pastor asks the young man, "What club are you going to use on this hole?”
The young man says, "An 8-iron, reverend. How about you?”
The pastor says, "I'm going to hit a soft seven and pray.”
The young man hits his 8-iron and puts the ball on the green.
The pastor tops his 7-iron and dribbles the ball out a few yards.
The young man says, "I don't know about you, pastor, but in my church, when we pray, we keep our head down.”
__________
When I was a kid my momma would send me down to the corner store with $1.00. I'd come back with 5 potatoes, 2 loaves of bread, 3 bottles of milk, a hunk of cheese, a box of tea, and 6 eggs.
You can't do that now ... too many security cameras.