Today is an important day in the life of Hunt UMC. No, it’s not the anniversary of its founding. It’s the annual Church Conference, a time to think about where we’ve been, but more important, where we’re going. The church that stays in one place, never changing, is doomed to one day dry up and die. And we don’t want that, do we?
Unfortunately, the church often chooses to stay where it is doing “what we’ve always done.” Changes, while they might be far-reaching, can be cosmetic only. It makes the church feel good that they’re “doing something.” But, is that what God calls the church to do? That’s an excellent question. It seems at times that the church has made decisions and then invited God to bless them. Kind of backwards, don’t you think?
The church, and not just this one, is in need of critical change. To respond to a changing culture that surrounds it, the church has to have an understanding not only of what to do, but more important, of who it is. The church’s self-definition may be built upon long-held, but antiquated, assumptions. What the church does is respond to the changing culture with ideas and actions that may not be the right ones, albeit, ones that do bring about ministry.
The church, and specifically, Hunt UMC, has the chance in the next few years of making an even greater impact on the surrounding community through making disciples for Jesus Christ. And this disciple-making cannot be haphazard. It has to have a well-thought out and intentional plan. A part of that plan is consideration of how we go about doing church. Are we organized in such a way to facilitate ministry or to stifle ministry? As we explore this, we have to be in constant prayer, discerning God’s will as to where God is calling us, and not where we think we ought to go.
The journey to real change, deep change, never is easy. It’s very hard work, and is not accomplished just by adding new ministries. Of course, the process of change means we continue to explore and introduce new ministries. In short, what is critical to this process is an ethos change, that is, how we go about the development of ministries within the organizational structure God has called us to develop.
It is a long, slow, often risky, journey, but real change cannot be quick-fix or band aid. To last, it will take all of us, lay, clergy, and staff, working together. Again, and it can’t be said enough, it won’t be easy. But the best things in life generally don’t come easy. It will be tough, but it will be exhilarating. Of that I can promise you. See you on this incredible journey.
Grace and peace,
Mike
October 25, 2015