The word change strikes terror in the heart of every pastor, because even the most minuscule alteration in scheduling, programming, or methodology brings catastrophic reactions from a local church. The moment any attempt is made to modify some long-standing procedure or policy the accusations begin to fly. Anyone who dares to lead the charge of change could face challenges to his competency, his character, or even his Christianity.
That’s right; a person might even be de-Christianized by folks at the mere suggestions that something could be done differently. Consequently, the leadership goes along to get along, while the church ministry is gradually locked in time warp, with the status quo providing the warmth and boredom necessary to rock everyone to sleep.
The truth is, change is painful. It forces us to stretch ourselves, to move out of the comfortable into the unknown, and to face the possibility of failure. Worst of all, it makes us vulnerable to the inevitable cries of the naysayers if we turn out to be wrong. And believe me some folks want you to fail just so they can tell you about it. So why bother?
Why indeed: because of the simple fact that if we always do what we’ve always done, we’ll always get what we’ve always gotten. You’ve heard that before. But it’s obvious and self-evident. We’re not winning souls, were not sending missionaries, we’re not impacting our surroundings. So why would we want to keep getting what we’re getting.
Forgive me if it sounds a little critical, but it’s pretty clear that something needs to change in our churches. Now I would agree wholeheartedly that a big part of the answer to our present impasse is reformation and revival. Nothing short of a sweeping move of God is needed, and that within itself would transform our lives and ministries. But that’s not the issue I’m addressing here. What I’m talking about is methods modification.
Why are so many churches still locked in the past? Because over time the method takes on the sanctity of the message, with the methodology considered an essential of the theology.  What was originally someone’s attempt at offering the church a fresh approach to ministry eventually becomes a litmus test of orthodoxy. Gradually, the method becomes the dividing line, with groups and even denominations developing around an approach or style. Then when another creative soul comes along with an attempt at offering the church something fresh and new and alive, the adherents of the old school are quick in their condemnation.
Each generation must minister in its day, and must be freed from the time warp that eventually kills any work. The innovations of today will be the out-dated methods of tomorrow. And Christian leaders of tomorrow will devise new ways of confronting the challenges they face. That’s the way it will always be. So let’s keep growing and stretching for the glory of God.