I know there’s been a lot of talk about change and transformation and potential things that will happen or not happen in the future. It’s really hard to live in this moment of discomfort and anxiety and in some ways fear. And it’s really hard to not have the answers.
Right now, no one has answers. We are still seeking.
The elders, board, and I are reading a book together for our Leadership Training this year called Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger. And I was reminded about just how hard any kind of change or movement (in any direction) can and will be.
Tod writes: “…we need to grasp just how difficult organizational transformation can be. Even if we agree that we are in an adapt-or-die (even adventure-or-die) moment, the urgency of the situation is not enough. When given that particular choice, 90 percent choose dying.” Pg 64
And we see this reality every day. No one needs to be told that churches are dying, that they’re closing their doors. We know that, we see it, and we feel it.
But if there’s one thing that’s been clear to me since I started interviewing with this congregation way back in 2019, it’s that you don’t want to die. And in that way, it means that we have to choose to be adventurous and in some ways we have to choose to adapt.
There will always be things that do not change, the very core and essence of who we are will never change. But other things, methods, systems, processes—those do need to change. And change isn’t a bad thing, but we do have to remember and realize why we’re so resistant to change and transformation.
“People don’t resist change, per se. They resist loss.” Pg 106
There is loss with every change that happens. And we need to recognize that, before, during, and after those changes and transformations occur.
I pray that you join us in this process, as we learn, as we grow, and as we move and transform ourselves to better serve Christ in Cheyenne.
Comments