I was discussing progress and change with a fellow church member recently, and we noted how some people fear change.
These people typically have grown accustomed to a certain order and way of doing things over the years, and they feel threatened when plans are made to change that order.
For thinkers who are full of new ideas and fresh ways of doing things, the kind of resistance and opposition that surfaces from an entrenched perspective can feel maddening and highly discouraging at times.
But as I thought about this further, especially in the context of church work, I realized that if a group of people is praying for progress for their organization, there has to be change. There cannot be progress without change. If there is no change, everything is status quo. Nothing is different. Everything is exactly the same, and that equals no progress. It’s quite simple and straightforward.
Now this doesn’t mean change for the sake of change is healthy. Change that is progressive needs to be impelled by God. But aside from that, if there is a consensus that progress needs to happen to get an organization to a better place and experience, there is also automatically a consensus that something has to change. And if a lot of progress is needed, a whole lot of change is needed too!
Progress requires change. Understanding this fact can prepare collective thought better for necessary changes and make them more happily accepted when they come.
So, Evan, have you been reading my mind? Funny how many of your blogs lately are on subjects I’ve been thinking so much about that I could’ve ghost-written them for you, and saved you some time (ha).
This string of sentences in my favorite read, Science and Health, bespeaks not only the need for progress (aka change) but the higher happiness that always accompanies it: “Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks, and joy to see them disappear, this disposition precipitates the ultimate harmony. Purification of sense and self is a proof of progress. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God'” (323:32).
You mention church in particular. How true. I’ve also noticed that church evolves (and helps the world heal sin, sickness, death) to the degree and at the speed that each member commits himself/herself to progress, to change, to grow in all other areas of daily life.
Which begs the question: What unhealed character trait or outworn behavior am I ready to outgrow today?
Thanks for holding up a mirror, Evan.
How true about branch churches, when a church ceases to heal, it ceases. G
Hi Evan,
Helpful post. When I think of change, I think of redemption. Who doesn’t love to redeem a coupon for a useful item? The coupon has value, but it’s value is in the trading up. And if the new item has a new coupon attached, whoopee! We get to trade up again! Change is good. It’s a healthy renewal.
If change brings healing, great. If change is a distraction, then …. it’s just a distraction.
I feel better when I have a haircut after going too long, but it doesn’t change the fact that the lesion on my face is still there.
Change by itself doesn’t bring healing. Healing brings change…
It’s great to be on the right track, but the train will still run you over if you don’t get going!!