By Larry Stover

Columnist

 

If you had it your way, would you ever change?

The older we get, the more we like things to stay the same. We get into a routine that is set in stone. It’s about stability!

Churches get this way, also.

It seems, sometimes, that our greatest goal is to find something that works and stay with it even when it is no longer effective.

We like programs and activities that are familiar to us.

But what happens when an activity fizzles and it’s obvious that it is no longer productive?

Do we keep doing it for the sake of the past or do we realize that something needs to be changed?

In the 21st century, it seems that everything is changing at a rapid rate.

If the church is going to be effective, it must learn to change with the flow of a shifting society.

I don’t mean that we should change for the sake of changing at all.

Churches do not need to water down their standards and beliefs just to appease the crowd around them.

In doing so, they will end up with cheap grace and an irrelevant salvation that repels people from rather than drawing them to the faith.

If I’m going to direct effective ministry, I must lead the way for positive change in the community of faith. That’s going to mean making some mistakes along the way. Most of us don’t want to do that either.

It may seem disturbing to some, but mistakes are good for us if we handle them in the right way. If we take the time to learn from our mistakes, the wisdom we gain can be priceless.

So the issue is not whether or not we have made a mistake; on the contrary, the issue is really “What have I learned from it?”

I’m always learning new things. I read continually about effective ministry for the 21st century. When the Holy Spirit impresses me with a prospective change for my church, I seek His wisdom and guidance as we make necessary changes for the days ahead.

Solomon addressed the problem with a great illustration in Proverbs 14:4. It reads, “Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much revenue comes by the strength of an ox. (nasb)”

If you want a clean manger, don’t expect to earn any money without any oxen or horses. If you want to be effective and have a great crop, you had better get a shovel and prepare to clean it up.

Don’t allow mistakes to become a negative in your life.

The emotional, spiritual, and mental stress of not dealing with mistakes can be costly. On the other hand, dealing with them can be a real learning experience. Learn to say “I’m sorry.” Clear the air with people and with God.

No mistake is worth damaging your relationship with Jesus Christ. Learn from it and realize that in doing so, life is “Simply Beautiful.”