Equipping Leaders To Multiply

Change Reactions Pt 3

Things change.  I don’t always like change (unless I am the one initiating it).  I sat with a young leader the other day and told him, “Ministry is changing, the tools are changing, the strategies and styles are changing and I’m no longer the one initiating the change.”  I told him, “It’s primarily your generation that’s innovating.”  I’m 47 years old and I find it fascinating that this next gen leader doesn’t live in my world…I now live in his.  I’m having to adapt to the changes his generation has brought to ministry.   

I remember the days, when I was in my early 20’s and felt compelled to “do church” differently.  Now it‘s my son’s generation who feels compelled to bring about change. So older leaders, like me, we have a choice.  What will our Change Reaction be?  Will we be Critical, Cautious or will we earnestly Champion change?

I want to be an early adopter when I hear my son say, “Dad, I want to do it different than you.”  I want to support next gen leaders when they say, “I feel compelled to take a God-sized risk.”  I want to be a Champion for those who drive the Gospel forward in innovative, creative and imaginative ways.

So I have to be careful with my words anytime someone says, “I have an idea.”  In Proverbs 16:23 Solomon says, “A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.” The Hebrew word for guide is sakal, which means to look upon and to ponder. It has the idea of being very intentional in our speech.

As I grow older I am realizing that part of my role is to discern what God is doing next, identify who He is doing it through and be very intentional in my encouragement, support and in doing so champion God-initiated change.   

Are you criticizing change or are you a champion of change?


Reader Comments

  1. That’s good stuff, Mac. I am blessed to be on staff at a church that embraces change, and is willing to try new technology to reach people with the Gospel.

    I’d like to think that I’m a champion of change. If there’s a better way to accomplish our goal, I’m all about it. Why continue to do things the same way if they’re not being effective anymore?

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