Who Stole My Church - A Review

The following article is a synopsis of a book I recently read that I felt the need to blog about. In a day and age where the world is experiencing rapid change, the church needs to grapple with what that means for itself and its message.

It's a long article, but the book is much longer. : )

I've tried to take important pieces from the book in order to get myself, and hopefully you, thinking about our/your church and how it manages change in God honouring ways. You might not agree with everything I write here, but that's all part of the dialogue. Blessings as you read, and if you want to comment, please post one here, or send me one at youthpastor@calvincrc.ca

I've broken down the different sections for you here so you can see the flow of the article. I apologize for some of the layout issues. It seems Blogging has it's limitations when you want to write an article outside of it first. I hope you'll understand.

1. Preamble

2. The Discovery Group is BornT

3. he Initial Sense of Loss Is Uncovered

4. A Vital Truth to Remember

5. Church History and Change 101

6. Current Changing Trends the Church Needs To Take Note Of

7. So What About Evangelism in the Past, and Today?

8. What is the Shelf Life of a Church?

9. The Power of Music

10. The sleeping Giant

11. A Sad Reality

12. How Do We Accept Change?

13. Ben – The Reason for the Vision

14. The Climax

15. What are the Different Kinds of Groups that make up a church?

16. So What Does All This Mean?

17. Closing Words

Preamble:

Several weeks ago I walked into Salem Christian Bookstore. As I walked up the stairs to the second floor, a display of books for sale caught my eye. At the front of the display was a stack of books, with one in particular catching my eye. "Who Stole My Church" by Gordon MacDonald. I stopped for a moment to contemplate the title, and then proceeded to walk on by. As I did, I had what I call a God moment. A still small voice inside told me to go back and pick up that book, purchase it, and read it. That doesn't happen to me that often, so well, quite frankly, I walked back, picked up the book, read the brief description about the contents, bought the book, and began to read it. I couldn't put it down. It was a book that spoke to me about issues that I've been struggling with as a fellow Pastor of Calvin CRC.

You see, we have a fairly large contingent of "older folk" in our church. We also have a broad range of other ages. As I get older, and as I continue to navigate the often dirty word called "change" that pops up in church life, I struggle with how to get the older and not so older generations to walk together as change occurs. What do our seniors think of all the changes that have happened over the years? Do they still view Calvin as a church they can belong to? What about the younger generation that often wants to see changes occur, but gets frustrated at the politics and bureaucracy that happens as change is discussed?

"Who Stole My Church" is a GREAT fictional account of a practical reality. It's a narrative about how to manage change in churches today in order to connect with a world that is largely disconnected from the church. There are new demands in the area of evangelism that need to be addressed, but this involves some tough choices at times. How can those decisions be managed in a way that people don't feel that their church is being stolen from them?

The "Discovery Group" is Born

So, I began to read.

The Pastor of a small congregational church gathered together some of the key senior people after a proposal to revamp the sound system failed. It failed mostly because this group was against the idea, but the Pastor wasn't quite sure why. They met one stormy night in the church fellowship hall, and this initial meeting would end up becoming one of many meetings that would produce much discussion, growth, and even some pain.

This "Discovery Group" consisted of the "builder" generation. A group that always believed "in steady church programs that function every week of the ministry year." They are the core of the church - steady financial contributors, volunteering without reservation, have a strong organizational loyalty, and love their church community. They are often leery of the new music and new kinds of preaching that, in their view, can lead to liberalism, shallowness, or simply pure entertainment for those in the pew.

The Initial Sense of Loss Is Uncovered:

In that first meeting, some of the concerns raised by the group to the Pastor were:

1. We were taught that you honour God by the way you dress in church.

2. What bothers me is that we don't have Sunday School any more.

3. Missions is really going down hill in this church.

4. I wish there was more doctrinal preaching.

   Couldn't we just sing some hymns again?

5. We used to have the organ, now we get five people up in front with microphones stuck in their mouths . . . as if they are eating ice cream cones.

6. The younger folks just don't give as faithfully any more.

7. All I know is that someone stole my church and I'd like to get it back.

Now, maybe for Calvin, some of these concerns might be a bit different, but maybe not.

1. I know for me, I have been accosted by an elderly couple who weren't pleased that I didn't wear a suit and tie every Sunday. They were quite adamant about it actually.

2. Before my arrival at Calvin, there used to be a vibrant educational program here for adults and youth. It still gets talked about. We now have something different in small groups, but those memories are still fresh for many.

3. We do support several missionaries at Calvin, but we are grappling with how to raise their awareness in the congregation.

4. Some probably do feel that more doctrinal preaching might not be a bad thing.

5. Certainly some feel that more hymns would be good, though I think we've blended things well here at Calvin.

6. Those who love the organ probably still lament it's lack of use, and may struggle with hearing the wonderful praise groups that we often have. I know there are those that also struggle when the organ is played.

7. In the area of giving, those trends might be true. Commitment to denominations is more or less gone with faithful church attendance, even amongst solid Christian folk who are becoming more sporadic than ever.

Maybe those feelings of church being stolen are valid for some of our older members, and those not so old. But what to do with them? It seems that we are all pretty good at looking back to what was. To 15 or 30 years ago, and lamenting how good things were then, and how different things are today.

In all honesty, it is good to be reminded of things that you miss so much, but the Pastor of the church in the book rightfully reminded the "Discovery Group" that there is a reality that all in the church need to realize:

". . . Some of [those cherished] programs are never going to come back. They were things [the builders] made happen in their best days. However, now another generation wants to make things happen. And we have to figure out how we can accept this and rejoice in their vision. In a sense they're doing just what we did to our parents. You don't think for a moment that our mothers and fathers liked all the stuff we changed, do you?" That opening meeting got this group thinking and they decided to continue to meet.

As time progressed other feelings came out. Their hurts, hopes, honest opinions about where their church was, is presently, and going. Some felt that they should just let the younger generation take over, and they would walk away - start another church that reminded them more of those earlier glory years......[That sounds familiar in our denomination. There are church splits that exist today that strongly resemble the CRC of 20 - 30 years ago].

A Vital Truth to Remember:

The author now brings home his first point. One that I pretty much knew, but often times forget.

"The church is not OURS, it's GOD's."

It's easy to say, but not so easy to live out when you give your time or your money to it. It soon seems to become your/my church, not God's. That is not to say that we can't be critical of the church. We should always examine the motives, direction, and vision of the church community we belong to. However, what we also need to do is to "make real sure that when we do criticize our leaders, or a ministry, or even the church itself and where it's going, we do it with great respect and only with the intention that the church be everything God wants it to be."

It isn't MY church, it's God's.

Church History and Change 101:

The "Discovery Group" spent several weeks going through the history of change in the Christian movement. That was done, not to show how core beliefs were reinvented, but to show how church life was reinvented based on current societal issues. Here are some things the group learned:

• The Disciples came from simple communities but they were in for some turbulent times of change in their day once Jesus left them. Just read the book of Acts.

• In the 1700's John Wesley realized that the church needed to change from a place for the privileged class, to a place for all, especially the poor. If the church wouldn't go to them, he would, and he did.

• In the 1800's "William and Catherine Booth founded the Salvation Army and did all sorts of innovative things to bring Christ to the poorest of the poor….[but]…. there were many church-based Christians who were brutal in their opposition."

• By the 1900's all sorts of organizations "were formed to push the gospel out into the world . . . the YMCA . . . Student Christian Movement . . . Bible societies . . . and Missionary Organizations."

• The twentieth century saw the rise of the automobile and improved roads. This allowed people to travel greater distances, affecting the church by giving people the ability to choose one outside of their own town. It gave birth to the mega church – a place of worship that could offer "every kind of ministry imaginable for their families."

• Then came radio and TV and you saw those in the pew doing much more church shopping than ever before.

• Women also started working and that volunteer base for the church dramatically dried up. The solution was to start hiring people to fill those gaps.

• Our social structures also changed over time. Church attendees were "dependable, somewhat faithful people who knew how to make relationships work." Today church attendees come with "personal problems caused by dysfunctional family backgrounds" and ministries have sprung up in churches to help with that. In addition we have a growing number of single adults who are staying single for longer. The church still grapples with how to be inclusive to this group as they wait for a mate, or maybe don't want one.

Here's an interesting quote in the book about our current teenage trends: "a frightening percentage of teenagers are dropping out of church as they approach their twentieth year. We know that most churches that number between two hundred and five hundred are not growing."

Current Changing Trends the Church Needs To Take Note Of:

The Pastor then went on to talk about some issues that I as a leader in the church also struggle with. Maybe you do too. Read some of his quotes:

• "[at church on a given Sunday] . . . there will be up to five different generations in the building . . . they all crowd into the same room – the sanctuary, and expect to have a worship and teaching experience that fits their unique generational experience."

• Kids are very visual today and used to lots of action as they learn. So to have them "sit and listen to a monologue sermon for thirty minutes or so, [ is really hard for them]. They rarely EVER listen to anyone talk nonstop for 30 minutes. So why would they do it in church?"

• Adults are becoming increasingly this way too. Just look at what CNN and other news agencies are now doing. Multi information screens with stock market results, breaking news, etc. Having all this go on during the week, the church then asks them "to be content listening to a 30 – 40 minute sermon, often communicated by a very average speaker, each Sunday."

• The internet has really changed the way churches function. Take this Blog for instance. I can get information out about our church ministries to whomever will read simply with the click of a button. Google, Wikipedia, eBay, Expedia, Amazon and other sites offer us all kinds of shopping and information options, without going out of our homes. The church has taken advantage of this. Web sites allow people to download sermons, bulletins, and other information while you might be away on a trip [our Pastor's sermons are often downloaded and used by others via our church website]. Some churches are even multisited. "One church can plant several other churches but keep them all networked together with technology." In fact, here in Ottawa a new church just opened. A satellite of "The Meeting House" - a church for people who aren't into Church. It's meeting at SilverCity Movie Theatre in Gloucester. Based in Oakville, but broadcasting to more and more places in Ontario.

All this fast paced change is not necessarily bad, but how is the church reacting to it? As technologies advance for things like cancer, heart disease, etc., we often embrace those changes. The church seems to resist them when they are "designed to save somebody's soul." One reason could be that, in the midst of all this change the church is "the only safe place left in this world where a 'yesterday' still exists when things seemed simpler and more manageable."

The Pastor then had to remind thie "Discovery Group" of something that one of the group members was beginning to realize:

"I want the church to be a place of safety and comfort. But Jesus was saying to those disciples that serving him would be a call to danger and discomfort."

So What About Evangelism in the Past, and Today?

This Pastor now took some time to explain to the "Discovery Group" some elements in regards to evangelism.

• ". . . There is a revival going on in North America . . . [in that] . . . people are finding it easier to talk about spirituality, about evil, about powers and believing."

• "Individualism has been running rampant for years and people are now craving relationship. They look for it in the hockey arenas, soccer fields, etc. Truth has become personal and relative."

• Evangelism used to work by getting people to "reconsider their entire life organization in the span" . . . of hour at a revival meeting. It worked for a time, particularly in the builder generation, but doesn't necessarily work today. People don't identify with sin any longer, nor are they impressed with our concept of truth "because they've got their own truth that they believe to be just as good."

• People are receptive to Christ today "because they first see him in you . . . then, later, in the words."

• We're in a new era where people want less of your carefully scripted evangelism sales presentation and more personal demonstrations of your genuineness, your authenticity."

• "The new church has to throw open its doors and go out into the community and engage people in their worlds. . . [and] . . . know how to connect with un-churched people and create an environment of genuine belonging where people can really develop trust relationships.. ."

What is the Shelf Life of a Church?

This was a lot of information for some in the "Discovery Group" to swallow. Some were having a hard time hearing it and what it might mean for them and their church. So, the Pastor (in a book you can be the smartest, wisest, Pastor around : ) ) tried to help the group by entering into a teaching time on "The Shelf Life of a Church."

Concisely put, here are the stages:

1. Need - something needs to be accomplished 2. Vision – this is what we should do about that need

It's important to periodically revisit both the original need and corresponding vision to see if they still form the basis of the church's present existence

3. Initiative – the first experimental efforts that make the vision real

4. Program – you've tested your key initiative and you know you can do it over and over

again with the same results. Programs can last indefinitely, so long as they

continue to meet the need and fulfill the vision.

7. Reinvention – the church asks itself if it is still confident that they know the needs and vision that speaks to them.

5. Institution – a bundle of programs that have worked reasonably well over a long period of

time.

This stage brings on a building, recruiting of staff and volunteers. You come out with:

a. strategy – how you animate your vision and resource your programs

b. space – where the vision and programs take place

c. staff – the people who make things happen

Change in any one of these affects the other two.

6. Tradition – the time when people do certain things over and over again but have no idea

why.

Reinvention is purposely stuck between Program and Institution because "it's the only place where things are likely to be running smoothly." This is the time for the church "to take new risks and try new things." This is the time for the church to decide "whether or not it prefers traditions to the work that Jesus said we were supposed to do . . . to turn our eyes out the front door into the larger world and see who needs to be touched with the saving love of Christ."

The Power of Music:

Moving on, the group then talked about the music in their church. Music is such a powerful motivator in life, and church life is no exception. Here at Calvin, before my time, we had what has commonly been called "the worship wars." We now have more worship teams in our worship time. We have had a youth praise band, and we have used our organ on occasion. I think we have done a good job working out those issues, but I don't think that all understand, or are always comfortable with how things go. In my 6 years here, I have heard comments similar to those raised in this book:

• We sing too few familiar hymns.

• When we sing, it's too loud; when the volume is turned up our ears hurt.

• We repeat too many last lines over and over again.

• Some think that few of the new songs contain any "doctrinal" truth.

• Some literally feel physical pain from standing too long.

But what I think lies deeper beneath the surface is the fact that many of the hymns conjure up so many memories. Songs have a way of "going to the core of our souls, far below the rational level of consciousness. The rhythm, harmony, and melodic pathway seem to connect with a part of us that is so deep that we are helpless to describe or measure what is happening to us."

There are many hymns of old that are rich with meaning and purpose, and the same can be said of newer songs, but for those who haven't grown up with them, it's harder to appreciate.

The question that arises in this book is:

"How does each generation open the door for the next generation

to sing the gospel in its own fresh way?"

Each generation of the past has fought the new songs of the church (take Wesley, Newton, Crosby, and others in history when they introduced their new songs to the church). Today young people think that personal experience is everything, and their music reflects that. When different generations don't understand this, underlying discontent emerges.

Here's where this book takes on significance for me.

All of this groundwork for the "Discovery Group" is laid to facilitate something that is not rocket science, or new, or even scary [well, maybe a little]. The youth praise band of the church was scheduled to play soon, so the Pastor set up an ambush of sorts (again, in a book, you have the luxury of thinking things through). He asked the youth praise band to come and talk with the "Discovery Group" about music. At first there was fear on both sides, but that soon dissipates once each generation got to know the other – and herein lies one of the keys for change in the church.

Questions about lyrics, on both sides of the generations, came up. Why are certain songs selected, versus others? Why is standing up so long so important? Why do things have to be so loud? Can you play a hymn now and then [to that question came the answer that they didn't understand the hymns]. The teachable moment came when one of the young people shared that she liked "to sing hymns when [she] knows who wrote them and why they were written." After that meeting, both generations walked away with a better understanding, and compassion for the other. That's growth; moving forward, managing change.

The sleeping Giant:

The next section was a great reminder for me to not take anything lightly as a leader. Things you think will be no issue become very big issues and visa versa. For this church it was suggesting a name change. Something to bring the church into the present day. This didn't come easy (I'll let you read all about it). Families left the church over it. To some that might seem trivial, but it speaks to people's underlying passions.

I am reminded of the time when Calvin changed it's worship time from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. The process was handled well (using similar methods described in this book), but it wasn't without it's strong critics or bumpy "times" [pun intended] : )

A Sad Reality:

Then a sad, but very real, chapter. One of the members of the "Discovery Group" had enough and leaves. He leaves not only the group, but the church. The sad reality is that when churches (or other organizations) change, there is always the potential for it to "lose 10 – 12 percent of its people." I'm glad the author was able to point this reality out. It's not something that can be eliminated, or shied away from. The church name change caused 15 families to leave this Pastor's church. The Pastor was real about how that affected him, as he really cared about his church.

How Do We Accept Change?

Back to that topic of change. The Pastor then shared with the "Discovery Group" a neat way of how people accept change in a church. Using a bell curve you can plot the different types of people.

Innovators: At the bottom of the curve you get about 2.5 % of the people who simply love change.

Early Adopters: Just as the line begins to climb you get about 13.5% of the congregation whom others are likely to trust. They are trusted because they know a good thing when they see it, but don't just jump into change. Any change must have these two groups in alignment.

Early Majority: 34 % fall into this category on the curve. They like to "think, evaluate, watch, talk a bit."

Late Majority: 34 % fall into this category in the church. They are "the sceptics [who] approach everything with caution. They've got to see some results . . . lots of results."

Laggards: 16 % at the other end of the curve. These people are "essentially bound by tradition [the] last to change . . . if they ever change." But, don't "think that laggards are clueless or even bad people. [They] may be people who have been terribly burned in the past by some terrible failure.

I found this curve helpful for me. I don't consider myself an Innovator, though others might. I am not drawn to change initially. I think I'm more of an early adopter, but recognize in my role as a leader that Innovator is where I also end up falling at times. Where are you on the bell curve? It could be helpful to know as you think about how you've managed any change here at Calvin, or your church.

Ben – The Reason for the Vision:

Enter Ben – the culmination of the book's purpose. The author aptly states that Ben "would test our ability to welcome and embrace broken human beings."

Ben was a young person who had a difficult past. He was going to stay with his Aunt Connie one of the members of the "Discovery Group." One of the conditions of staying with her was that he had to come to church. Connie wasn't sure what to do about Ben and began to confide in the Pastor. Ben ended up coming to church, and people sure noticed him. He came to church wearing "black pants and a black shirt [with] a string of beads around his neck and a small ring through one eyebrow." This didn't go unnoticed by some in the "Discovery Group," and that was the first item of casual conversation the next time they met. Ernie, commented on Ben and shared the following words:

"He [Ben] was a piece of work. All dressed in black, ring in his eye, gold chain, looked kind of homosexual. I could only imagine the smell. I mean that hair – betcha it hasn't been washed in months. You wanna be careful shaking hands with a guy like that. . Who knows? Those kind can easily have some kind of disease."

Distressing words that I confess I have thought as well with some who have crossed my path. Maybe you have too?

What followed was amazing. I'm not sure how it might have turned out in REAL life, but Connie answered with restraint, love, and grace. It opened up an entirely different conversation that hadn't happened before. Connie shared something of herself that she never dared to do before. Her life story. She also shared Ben's reaction to church that previous Sunday. "Cool"! was the word he used. Here's what he thought was cool:

"He liked the songs even if he didn't know them.. . he was impressed with how the old and young people were talking together . . . [and noticed that all acted] . . . as if you belong to each other . . . like a family."

Ernie then shared his struggle about how his daughter was "trying to reach out to people like Ben" but he often wondered "why do I admire what [Gretchen] is doing with broken down people and yet have a completely different attitude when a struggler walks through the doors of MY church?"

Can any of us say those same words…..?

Then the floodgates seemed to open and others in the group shared about things they had never shared before, with each in that group having known each other for many, many years. I think the Pastor's words sum up what I've thought for a long time:

"What in the world is church life about if stories like this remain hidden in the hearts of people you thought you knew well?"

The Climax:

The climax of the book finally comes in the following words from Ted, another of the group. He says,

"For weeks we've been chattering about who stole our church and why we don't like loud music and a bunch of others things . . . [while] . . . all this time we were ignoring the most important thing: how God wants to use us, in the midst of all our difficulties, to encourage each other. [That will provide] a safe place for people like Ben. Shame on us. We're talking about the wrong things . . . We've got to make this church a place where every person we love and have been talking about could come and find the possibility of new life."

What are the Different Kinds of Groups that make up a church?

The final chapters of the book focus on reflecting on how the "Discovery Group" had changed since it first began meeting. Instead of those initial feelings of being "angry, left out, left behind, in the dark, [and] nervous," there were now feelings of "openness, love, care, surprise, vulnerability, sorrow, and forgiveness." They had become a GENERATIVE group versus a Habitual or Toxic group.

A Generative Group has different characteristics:

1. A strong sense of Mutual purpose

2. Is synergistic – everyone's efforts counts and this combined effort accomplishes things bigger than any individual could have.

3. Each person grows in one way or another.

4. Never afraid of conflict. That doesn't mean they love it, but they know conflict is a part of real life.

5. Inspires other people who are looking on.

A Toxic Group can be summed up best this way:

1. Filled with people who don't know how to bend in the process of conflict and usually operate from a me-first spirit.

2. Marked with low morale.

3. Their general method of problem solving is to blame others.

4. Tend to drag down the larger organization around them.

5. They destroy people, one after the other.

The Habitual Group would be a group that:

1. Holds repetitive activities – they do the same things over and over even though they've forgotten the real reason why.

2. Can be exhausting.

3. Try to deny or ignore their problems

These three types of groups can be descriptors of a church as well. I'm wondering what type of group you might think Calvin is, or your own church? How does that make you feel? What can you do about it, if you want to do anything at all?

Generative groups/churches are ones that understand "that this isn't about us in the church. It's about un-churched people that Jesus called 'lost.' We find them; they don't normally look for us."

The most important question we face as long-term Christians is this:

"What does it take to engage with people whose lives could be transformed by Christ's love?"

The journey that a small group of people took ended up changing their church. Many were open to change because they had journeyed together through the questions, the difficult answers, and the grace necessary to see that change occur. They made a conscious decision to listen to each other, to go deep with each other, to endure their own paradigm shift within themselves. They made the effort to understand each other. To support areas in need of change, to be real with each other, and open to the world around them. It wasn't rocket science and it didn't mean the starting of a brand new church in order to get change moving.

So What Does All This Mean?

All in all, a lot of issues raised by Gordon MacDonald. So why do I even go through all this effort.

First, to help me flesh out my thoughts on these issues.

Second, to take some time to look inward at Calvin and see that in many ways we are doing ok, but in some ways we need to heed the warnings of this book.

I think our church has a healthy sense of community. People who come into our fellowship have given testimonies similar to Ben. Others who have left us due to job changes, etc., have commented that they miss our church fellowship. That is cool!

We have some great ministry programs in place right across the age spectrum. That is also something to be thankful for. I think that anyone who comes to Calvin can find a place to connect if they truly want to.

I also think we could have some unrest in the areas of worship, music, etc., and maybe dialogue similar to what this Pastor did would not be a bad thing to help us all understand each other better.

As we look outward, beyond our church walls, I think we have some work to do. We have a busy church, with busy people but maybe we are too one-sided? Too inward focussed? Some of us here at Calvin are volunteering in places outside of our church walls:

• The Mission

• Crisis Pregnancy Centre

• Ottawa Inner City Mission

• Diversity Store

• The Stronghold

• And probably others I'm not aware of.

Yet, there is no concerted effort, no vision, for what all this could mean. Where are we going? What would, should, Calvin CRC look like in the next 3 – 5 years?

You see, it's not an either or scenario when it comes to having a healthy church community. You must have both a healthy church community AND a church community that is going out into the surrounding community to connect with a world that increasingly sees the church as irrelevant to them.

This could mean that we need to re-evaluate what we are doing, how, and why. It certainly means we need to get involved in the lives of those outside of our church community, just as the "Discovery Group" did. I suggest taking things one step further. Ben happened to come to this group/church, but we need to go out and find the "Ben's" of this world.

Now, do I have all the answers as to Need, Vision, etc.? Certainly not. I wish I did : ) Every church community is unique. Calvin is not like the MET or The Meeting House, nor is the MET or The Meeting House like Calvin. I think we can take a chapter from this book and begin to seriously dialogue about what direction Calvin CRC should be taking for the next years.

We will need to do some rethinking if we are to grow [though growth is not the primary goal]. Maybe we think our ministry programs are serving our mission and vision, maybe we don't. We need to rethink our outward focus. What does that mean? The simple truth is that shifts in culture are occurring even today. As they do, "everything goes back to zero." It means a church that wishes to stay current and growing will need "to start all over again, in effect. You examine everything you do to see if it still works and ask what you should change to make sure everything works better under the new conditions."

I know Pastor Ken and I would love to discuss such things with church members. Maybe picking up a copy of this book and reading it will help you grapple with any questions you have about Calvin and what direction it should be taking. Together God can lead us. We don't need to start a new church, or leave because we feel our "old" church is no longer what we want it to be. We DO need to go deep with each other and in the depth we come to see each other in new ways. Ways that make change manageable and full of grace and truth.

I have been part of Calvin CRC for 6 years now. I have grown to appreciate its willingness to think through issues. I love the people who make up its community. They are some of the kindest, open minded, caring people you will ever meet. Yet I also feel this church is at a crossroads and we need that kindness, open minded thinking, and caring for each other to move forward in a quickly changing world. The key question we all must ask is, "does [Calvin] wish to be a church of change, or a church of constants?" That decision is pivotal to what might happen in the future…or not.

Our church council desires to seek God's leading this year through prayer. Let's add some dialogue and get to know each other better as we do this.

Closing Words:

In conclusion, let me state that I'm not looking for a mega church. I'm not even hoping that we will break our current Sunday attendance numbers. I'd rather see 250 committed followers of Christ, than 500 church spectators [and no, I'm not implying that larger churches are full of church spectators].

I have seen much change in my 6 years here, and it has been good. Yet, there is more to be done. We cannot be complacent and we must re-examine ourselves all the time. In doing that, we might change the way we do things, but I am a firm believer that there is one thing that doesn't change in the church, and that is this:

"The gospel of Jesus that calls people to forgiveness of sins and to participation in a community of people who want to serve each other and go forward to make a statement about God's love in their worlds." How that's done, should be constantly changing as society changes."

I end with these closing words from the Pastor in the story. Words I take to heart as a leader in Calvin CRC. Words I hope you will too:

". . . if you want to be part of a church that is radically different from anything you've ever known, then plant one – start one. You can create new programs, new rules, and new structures. . .

. . . But, if you are willing to be patient in one of those old churches [like ours] . . . then put your head down and go to work. Be patient, be prayerful, seek allies, build alliances with other generations. You'll probably have to convince a lot of people, and they'll come dragging their feet like the members of our "Discovery Group." But as time passes, somehow the Spirit of God will grab at hearts, and you just may see a miracle – a [50] year old church that acts with the spirit of an enthusiastic teenager."

May these words have been an opportunity for you to think, and then act.