The Atmosphere of Change

Change is all around us. Lyricist Neil Peart writes that "constant change is here to stay." We hear political vomit that speaks of "change that we can believe in," and we believe it just because it is articulated well. The point is that people are seeking a change. The norm is not sufficing anymore. Plain doesn't cut anymore. The same ol' same ol' is just that... old.
People are seeking a great shake-up. I can't help but to picture a game of Boggle and people are going crazy with the case; shaking it with all of their might and hoping for something different every time. But I believe that there is one thing that we forget about whenever change is in the air, is that there must be a plain of stability. And even though the change is needed, warranted, and even necessary, the stability factor sometimes stays the same.

I say this as I am sitting at a training conference for church planters that myself and some of the core group at Resurgence went through last March. It's a grueling day! Tons of information and creativity that can be both rewarding and frustrating. Trying to capture your thoughts and heart on paper get difficult really quick. And of course when you throw God in the mix, it gets tricky and sobering.
What I am hearing from the people whom God has called to plant churches is that they are seeking change. Let me be quick to say that they are seeking change, not abandonment! Understand that change does not necessarily mean abandonment. These are people who have a common rallying point in that the Bible is the Word of God; infallible, inerrant, and inspired, but they have different hearts for different people in different communities that the same ol', same ol' are not reaching. The stability is the same; i.e. the Word of God, but the fire is fresh, excitement is contagious, creativity is infectious.
Is the fire still fresh in your setting? If not, what quenched it? We can't blame life because life has always been there. So that is not a valid excuse.
I am sure that we can determine it to a lack of focus.
FOCUS is essential to maintaining a fire for Jesus. God gives vision. God stirs conviction and this births passion. Let's seek to be like brand new church planters who are excited and scared, but focused and and fired up about changing the landscape of ministry on the same stable plain of God's Word.
How else would you obey the Lord?

Postmodernism

It’s a bright day. The sun is warming your bones but not over bearing your senses. It is seemingly the perfect day. It is the day that you have always longed for… so you decide to enjoy it by going for a walk. As you begin, you breathe deep. There is a slight chirp from the birds and even the locusts have decided to make themselves known by humming in a slight drone. In view are the neighborhood kids, playing with a tricycle and a homemade ramp of which they will conquer gravity. Approaching at a steady pace is a man that seems to be in his mid-forties. He seems to be enjoying the day, much as yourself, and he spots you and waves gingerly. You give a slight smile and give a casual “howdy” to the man as he approaches. The man motions for you to slow your pace and you anticipate the conversation, but much to your surprise, it is not what you expected. The man looks at you with a slight smile and an outstretched hand and says, “I think you should give me all of the cash and credit cards in your wallet.” “Excuse me,” you respond. “I said that I think that you should give me all of your cash and your credit cards in your wallet.” How do you respond? What right does this man have to take your personal belongings? And much less, to ask for them outright! He must be mentally unstable of have an incredible amount of nerve. Or, he could be a real life, played out version of postmodern thought. There he is, right in front of your face, setting his own standards, for his own benefit, and disregarding anything that would infringe on his preferences.

Now, it's easy to see that in this world, standards are in place. But where did they come from? In case you missed it, I am talking to those who claim to be evangelicals but want to deny the inerrancy of the Scriptures. Let's be honest and logical. If the Bible tells us how to be saved, yet we believe that the Bible is not true, then how do we know that Jesus is the Way? This is the dangers of "buffet Christianity." You can not take what you like and leave the rest that does not gel with your current, comfortable situation. So encourage you... read the Bible critically, as critically as possible, because it is true and it will stand up to any scrutiny that is thrown at it.