Some thoughts about change... (A popular thought this political season) Change is scary for some personalities and exciting for others. (Really came to light with the change in the time of services and especially with the roping off of the last rows.) Change means that something is going to be different and unfamiliar. Change, just for the sake of change is not necessarily the answer. But when change is brought about by God, it is always a step up to something exciting. Joshua was able to do what Moses could never do though Moses was an able leader. Solomon was able to do what David could not do though David was a strong leader.
1. Change is part of life...it’s the signal for rebirth and a new vision. If we aren’t changing, we are probably in the process of dying.
2. Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. Much of how we face change depends on our personality type. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident, it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.
3. Somerset Maugham... "Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish
when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it." I hope this is where we are today!
I understand the emotion of change. I was devastated when my parents sold the farm after 40 years. It was all I had ever known. It was idyllic. (Two creeks and a pond, hours looking for Indian artifacts. Swimming, damming up the creek, fishing. Riding horseback, breaking horses. Hay season. The barn and the rope. Winter fun sledding and ice skating. The woods, getting wood in the Fall. A country school across the road, and a country store nearby. The neighborhood gang.
-fear of the unknown
-end of life as I had known it (I am the only pastor many of the people in our
church have ever known.)
-sadness (I’ll be sad if you’re not sad!)
-it had been a place of memories
-it was safe
BUT...God is the Shepherd and He moves us on to new pastures. If God is in control, He will never leave us in one spot. He is continually moving us to higher ground and wider ministries. It is exciting because God is in control and He will never do anything that is not for our best. In the process, we take new steps of trust in Him. With change comes growth.
Over the years, when people asked about Hayden Friends, I have consistently referred to it as "our" church or as Hayden Friends but never as "my" church. I have held on to my role as pastor lightly. Hayden Friends is God’s church. It is part of Christ’s body here on the earth. Things like leadership change is a normal part of church life and it will not deter Christ’s body! The gates of Hell cannot prevail against the church! If God is in control, the church will go forward. "Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purposes that prevails" (Prov. 19:21).
One of my personal goals is to leave the church as healthy as possible for the person coming in. We have begun to take some definite steps to shore up some of our low staves in the barrel. Jeff and Buddy are on board and are having a tremendous impact on our church life. Our new church schedule is allowing for some flexibility in our schedule. We are making some needed changes in the Youth Haus and the surrounding area. We are dreaming some dreams and casting some visions. There is a sense of excitement.
I have envisioned the staff changes like a relay race. Hans ran on a state record setting 440 relay when he was in high school. I love watching that race. The runners start out in a full-out sprint and then in a short time settle into a rhythm so they can sustain their stamina for the long haul. When they come down the back stretch, there is a sense of growing excitement. At the last forty yard marker, the runner gets that last burst of adrenalin just before the handoff. I feel like these last 2 years, 5 months and 27 days are that final forty yards before the hand off to the new runner. The new runner will begin with that burst of speed that is needed to get the church moving toward some exciting new goals. There is that thrill as the new runner brings a new vitality to the race we are running. (It is not hard for me to relinquish the baton because I am not an "up front" person. I will enjoy giving up that role to someone else.)
Verses about races...
Acts 20:24, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace."
Heb. 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
As we hand the baton to a new leader, we are being watched. Specifically, by other churches. But by the heavenly hosts, and by Satan and his gang who would like to use this as a time to trip us up. It has the potential for danger or opportunity. Like building the worship center. We can make it a time that will be looked back upon as one of the most exciting times in the history of our church. The passage following the Heb. 12:1 passage says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of our faith..." That will be the secret to a successful transition. This does not throw God for a loop! He knows what He is doing and He will guide us through a smooth transition if we keep our eyes fixed on Him. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will always succeed" (Prov. 16:3.What does that look like?