Who is Responsible for Transformation?

1/21/06

It's time to pause. Sit down. Think. Allow yourself to ask a question. "Am I the person in my congregation leading the process of transformation?"

This is not a question about whether you are working hard enough. It is a question about responsibility. Who is responsible for transformation in your congregation? The answer, it seems to me, is not you, not you.

We act differently, of course. We act as if transformation is up to us; only up to us. We mentally shoulder its burden. We carry in the pit of our stomach its fears. Think theologically, though. Are we not dependent upon the Spirit to stir in the congregation's hearts? Isn't metamorphosis what the Spirit alone can bring? As Paul says, "Who is sufficient for such things?" Or, as John puts it, "The Spirit blows where it wills?." 

For this reason, The Jesus Connection emphasizes the spiritual disciplines. Silent prayer retreats are not a one time event. You and I must have, must have, regular, daily disciplines that put us in touch with the bigness of God, the empowering presence of the Spirit, the sufficiency of Jesus Christ to overcome the temptation to think transformation is dependent upon us. It really isn't about us. It's about God.

There must be a way (and spiritual disciplines are that way) to:

Receive divine direction

Act by the power of the Spirit

Persevere in love (and humor)

Unburden ourselves from our work and give God ultimate responsibility.

There is truth in the old saying, "Act as if everything depends upon you. Pray as if everything depends upon God." Perhaps you and I are like John the Baptist, saying over and over, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

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