Leading a church to make changes is hard work. It’s hard to make changes for many reasons, none more significant than the fact that people like to have church “their way”. They want a church that reminds them of either the church they grew up in, or more likely, a church that reminds of them of the church where they had their most spiritual experience.
Those aren’t necessarily wrong motivations, we drift toward what we like. The problem is that people who are strangers to God’s grace (lost), don’t have those memories. If we continue to do only what we like, we won’t have much of a chance to reach the people who need to hear the gospel message most.
So the question is, “Am I willing to sacrifice my church for the sake of others?” I think it is easier to say “yes” than to actually mean it. But that’s my prayer for Cornerstone. That’s what makes change so hard.
I think the biggest issue is consistency. When people find a church where they feel comfortable, they don’t want it to change. Ever. No matter if it furthers the kingdom or helps those that are far from Christ. The average parishioner is there for themselves. Not for Christ. Not for others far from Christ. People’s hearts are hard.
He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
” ‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain.
Ask not what your church can do for you, but what you can do for your church.
Who’s your church?