There is a Price for Transformation

8/8/05

Here's my observation?.

At the General Assembly of the Christian Church inPortland, Oregon last week, The Jesus Connection sponsored a booth in the Exhibition hall. We displayed books, a running video of Fred Craddock's May address on A Clarion Call for the Renewal of Mainline Churches - we even displayed Jan Linn (the biggest draw by far). Despite being tucked away in a corner, we had many visitors.

Pastors are indeed interested in renewal. I think they are drawn to the idea of transformation. They do see their need for transformation; both for themselves and for the congregations they serve. Pastors want help, practical ideas they can implement in their congregations. There were also a number of workshops throughout the Assembly on the topic of transformation. The ones I attended drew capacity crowds. TJC may be hitting a crest of interest in the subject. Isn't that great?

Here's the second part of my observation?.

A minority only of interested pastors follow through on their interest in transformation. Why this is, I can only guess. It may seem too hard. Ministers may be hoping for an easier solution. This wish, however, sounds suspiciously like looking for a diet plan that requires no sweat or will-power.

Some may think the process takes too long. Perhaps they are hoping for a 3 or 6 month solution. This appears to ignore the number of years it took the congregation to get into the state they are currently in.

I suspect the main obstacle is fear; how will the congregation react if I take up transformation as the top priority of my ministry? That is an excellent question to ask oneself. What price am I willing to pay? My sense is that the people to whom we minister are far more ready for genuine transformation than we imagine.

However, lay aside the assumption that congregations may be more willing to embrace change than we think. What is the alternative? Maintenance ministry. Chaplaincy. Paper work and administration of the same programs. Substituting a different hymn in the same exact place in the worship bulletin week after week. Turning out the lights on the way out of the building.

You and I can not avoid paying a price. Whatever type of ministry we chose will exact a cost. Be sure of it. The real question is: what type of price are you willing to pay?

Cliff Jones - Country Club Christian Church, Kansas City, MO