Grace Fellowship

Although many resist change, it is inevitable.

When my first son was born I could hold him in my arm between my hand and elbow. Somehow, I imagined he would stay that size until I was ready for him to grow. But, much sooner than I thought, he grew!

Sometimes to our detriment, the church has been very slow to make any transitions in the name of doctrinal purity or integrity. Thank God our salvation will not be determined by doctrinal purity or who would be saved? Salvation only comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

One controversial buzz is over contemporary services. Many would like to put their head in the sand and hope that it might go away, but be assured, good, bad or neutral, it is here to stay. While talking with the pastor of a contemporary church, he respectfully made it very clear that they were not a “charismatic” church. They did not operate in the “gifts.”

When considering change in the church, what should the real question be? While we should never intentionally offend anyone, Jesus made it clear that at some point people would be offended with the truth if it is being taught! Should the question be: Are we cutting edge, contemporary, seeker-sensitive, evangelical, traditional, denominational, charismatic or fundamentalist?

Maybe the question should be: Are we Christ-Sensitive?

What does Jesus think the church should look like? As the church was ushered in by the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, it was fresh, new, cutting edge and radical. It offended many while reaching the lost, but how? It was done Jesus’ way through the ministry of the Holy Spirit!

Maybe the Lord prefers that change would cause people to be conformed into His unchangeable image while empowering us to reach our world.