CHANGE AIN'T EASY - BUT IT'S POSSIBLE

CREATING CHANGE OPENNESS IN OLDER ADULTS - IT AIN’T EASY
I’m going to lead with a confession - I have arrived at the age where I’m not too fond of change. Not all change, mostly just change that inconveniences me. When my iOS pushes an update and changes the way my phone operates - I’m not happy. When my online accounts require or mandate a password change, I bristle.

Yes, I know the axiom that the only thing that is constant, is change. If you say it repeatedly and even put it on a t-Shirt I still won’t like it, and may resist accepting the fact that change is a regular part of life.

CHANGE REPRESENTS LOSS
People cross a midline in life when they realize that most if not all things are downhill. We awake in the morning and ache, somehow having mysteriously hurt ourselves as we slept. Ordering from a menu in a restaurant at night now requires the use of the flashlight feature on our phones to see the selections. Hearing a conversation clearly in a crowded room now requires an intense focus in order to understand what’s being said. This creates a state of grief, a posture resistance and differing levels of emotional frustration.  Together these can lead to a generalized resistance toward change of most any type-just because it’s change.

THE CHANGE WE NEED - SPIRITUAL NOT SUPERFICIAL
Local congregations may need new carpet, paint, and models of ministry. It's quite possible even a name change (see more here.) All of that is window dressing if hearts are not changed. Think white washed tombs and lipstick on a pig. On the deepest level we need hearts which are continually transformed by the gospel. We need saints who place their confidence in Christ, find their security in him, proclaim the unaltered message of the gospel who give up things that don’t matter.

TWO QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Baptist statesman Kenneth Hemphill led a webinar in 2020 (you might have missed it due to COVID) in which he asks two very important questions aimed at unlocking the hearts of older adults. 

1. Are you willing to attend a church you don’t necessarily like because it is reaching those Jesus loves?
2. Would you be willing to help build a church your kids and grandkids will attend? 

I think you’d have to be pretty hard hearted to answer in the negative. Yet, I’ve actually heard in a church consultation someone say; “I’d rather our church die than for us to do that.”  I’m not even kidding a bit, sad I know.

SOMEONE HAS TO LEAN ON THE FENCE POST, HARD
If you’ve ever tried to remove a fence post fixed deeply in the ground you know that it’s gonna take time and a lot of effort and a lot of sweat. Yet, after you rock it back and forth, after a lot of time pushing and pulling you’ll see it loosen. Hearts don’t often change in an instant-of course Jesus can do that, crisis can do that but I’ve not seen a pastor accomplish that in one meeting with one word (or several) or even a really good powerpoint presentation. It’s gonna take effort and wisdom and persistence over time. But keeping pushing and pulling.

PREACH, PRAY, LOVE AND STAY
When I served on the Replant team we grabbed this phrase from a church (with their permission) and began heralding it across North America. Preach God’s word-it can change hearts. Pray-the Spirit can accomplish what we can’t and give us wisdom and endurance. Love-this is a difficult one but let Christ’s love flow through you to stubborn change resistant folks. Stay-if you don’t, the cycle will repeat itself, pastor comes, advocates for change, meets resistance, leaves. Once a group of controllers know they can simply pitch a fit and win-they’ll be emboldened and the rest of the  congregation becomes hostage to a few carnal or unregenerate bullies who don’t want to change.


Questions to Consider

1. What areas of change do you resist and why? 
2. How would you answer Hemphill’s two questions?  How would the church you attend, serve or lead answer them?​
3. Are you willing to work hard to loosen up the fence posts? What is your next step?