Change - when and how?

Change is difficult for a lot of people for a lot of reasons.

In the church, we often hear or see people fear changes in how things are done in a worship service, in a class or in other areas where they'll quickly say either in their heart or even aloud, 'But we've always done it that way!'

Sometimes we'll see each other act fearful, defensive or at least be apprehensive when someone teaches something in a way we haven't heard, even though it's straight from the text.

Jesus didn't ever seem to be too concerned about making changes and how people would feel about it. There were times when he said things that made people so made that they wanted to, and eventually did, kill him.

Paul, one of Jesus' great messengers, comes along a few decades later and encourages Timothy to teach with gentlenss those believers who were having a hard time accepting some teachings or ways of doing things.

So, even the text comes at things a little differently sometimes. So how should believers deal with each other today, especially as they work together as a local congregation, when they face change and some people like it and other's don't?

Some thoughts...first, remember that there are really more than one or two perspectives in a congregation when it comes to dealing with changes. Your's, either for or against a change, isn't the only one and isn't the only one that has scripture, thought and prayer behind it. Well meaning and equally saved people can think completely differently on topics and ideas.

Second, remember that when changes come, especially from a thinking, praying, spirit-led leadership, they are made for the better or greater good of the congregation that meets in that one building. That's very helpful to remember! Why? Because everyone needs to remember that the needs or direction of a particular congregation are specifice to that congregation. Everyone is free to prayerfully consider whether or not they want to work with and in a particular congregation.

It may be that over a period of time that a person or family begins to feel that the direction of a congregation isn't where they need to be going as a person or family. They are free to leave and in good concience can say, "We love you all, but we feel led to go elsewhere to work in God's Kingdom. We pray for God to continue blessing this church as you grow along the path you feel God is leading you."

Remember that a leadership of a church is made up of people who are doing the best they know how to lead using the knowledge and information they have in front of them and that they simply may not be able to meet everyone's needs or desires given the choices they have to make about how their particular congregation needs to grow in God's Kingdom. With that in mind, remember that a church isn't a free-for-all democracy where everyone's perspective is or should be counted in an election. Sometimes leaderships must make difficult decisions.

Sometimes, even individual leaders themselves realize that their direction and goals aren't 'one' with the other leaders in a particular church and choose to move on to other places to serve. I've seen a lot of good people decide prayerfully, and without a great deal of the typical conflict normally involved in those situations, decide that it was time for them to move on so that God could continue to work in everyone's situations, sort of like when Paul and Barnabus went in different directions over their disagreement about Mark.

Third, consider that it's possible that you don't understand what's going on. Many times (way too many times) I have observed conflicts inside congregations and very often there was a significant lack of information that people were working with when they were making comments and criticisms about change.

Finally, know that sometimes God brings about change, even against our desires and wills. Sometimes he wants us to work through some things so that we'll grow in areas that only he can see at the moment.

What about you? What are areas of church life, teaching, worship services, etc that you've experienced changes in that were difficult for you? What are some things that people could have done to handle those situations better?