I used to roll my eyes when bringing change was suggested. No matter where it was, I held hard to an “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mentality. Frankly, i was comfortable with status quo and bringing change meant more work, adapting and was potentially a brig threat to my livelihood. Face it, change sucks.
However, without change, there is no progress. Without progress, we have no advancements in technology, we have wasteful processes and systems, we continue to do things that are detrimental to our health. Meanwhile, everything else is improving, evolving, growing and creating.
If we’re not bringing change into our lives and those around us, we’re only building a false sense of security. Sooner or later, that security, too, will be a relic of a bygone era. Jesus came and change pretty much EVERYTHING. He called us to be agents of change in many ways as well. Heck, he told us that we would become new creations all together (2 Corinthians 5:17).
What Are the Keys for Bringing Change?
7 Keys To Momentum (Harold Herring @HaroldHerring) – Just as David ran to meet Goliath, “Momentum is a moving force that overcomes resistance.” I really like that definition. In this post, Herring uses examples from I Samuel, Zechariah, Psalms, Colossians, and more to provide 7 ways to build momentum. He helps us realize the decision to create a momentum in life is ours. . . and it will be as effective as you decide for it to be.
Momentum Breakthrough! (Worthy Devotions @worthydevotions) – Sin and self-indulgence are two ways we reduce spiritual momentum. In this devotion, John 2:5-6 is used to encourage us to nourish vision and cultivate habits of pressing on to the higher call. Then, we’ll be inspired to forsake our sins and focus on the glory of God’s victory.
Pain = Progress (Perry Noble @perrynoble) – God is greater than any pain – and He is THE ONLY ONE who turn pain into progress. Noble offers several examples (Sarah, Joseph, Paul, etc.). Nothing in life is wasted as long as we learning from the pain. That’s progress.
Bringing changes can be viewed with negative filters. Yet, remember “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Examples of Bringing Change
Plumb Line #4: People Are the Mission (Danny Franks @letmebefranks at J.D. Greear Ministries) – Luke 15 is Jesus’ story of a wandering son, a redemptive father, and a judgmental brother. Imagine the disbelief of the older brother when his prodigal younger sibling came home. What he considered status quo suddenly shifted. This awesome post helps us relate that story to our congregations and our own actions. As Franks says, “many of us have lost our way. We’ve grown so focused inside the walls that we’ve forgotten about people outside the walls. People are the mission, and it is fitting to be glad when they return.”
The Day Jack Changed (Daryl Dash @dashhouse at Dash House) – Ever feel like you have toiled away decades of your life not really being effective at your role? As Dash explains, Jack Miller felt that way. So he quit two ministries. A simple change in perspective changed everything and led to an enormously effective return to those gigs. Miller realized that, when he’s serving for his own glory and the approval of others, it ends in disappointment or anger. He saw his church as a jury passing judgment. “Miller discovered a new freedom to live and work for God’s glory, not his.”
More Thoughts on Bringing Change and Questioning Status Quo
3 Reasons Jesus Isn’t a Superhero (Mike Leake @mikeleake at Borrowed Light) – In case you haven’t noticed, there have been a lot of superhero movies in the last several years. Of course, given the popularity, many churches are tempted to present the “Jesus Super Hero.” Leake shows us why we can’t resort to that sort of status quo. Jesus didn’t. Neither should we.
Is it Safe to Challenge the Status Quo? (Chris Giovagnoni at Compassion International @compassion). Yeah, it’s not safe to challenge status quo. That’s because people are defensive when threatened. Change is uncomfortable. That doesn’t mean we should not do it. “Jesus challenged people’s idea of the Messiah. And He continues to challenge us to change our normal.” Our growth requires questioning of status quo and maybe – just maybe – changing it.