Changing How We Change

Change is a funny thing..not funny ha-ha but funny...ironic. So let me explain what I know about change. There are three different types of change that I will cover here:

First Order Change:
First-order change is doing more – or less – of something we are already doing. First-order change is always reversible. It is relatively shallow change. Here are the characteristics of this type of change:
Adjustments within the existing structure
Doing more or less of something
Reversible
Restoration of balance (homeostasis)
Non-transformational
New learning is not required
Old story can still be told

In church, first order change goes from chalk boards to dry erase boards, sings more contemporary songs, goes from formal to casual dress, from KJV to NIV, order of worship variations, offering members the option to pay by automatic draft or credit card, offering use of building to 12-step groups or community groups, updating building with new carpet and paint, visitor parking, being "seeker sensitive," adding mood lighting, adding new service or more options for Bible classes, allowing more members to participate in worship planning and execution, etc. First order change is mostly cosmetic but does little to make lasting change.

Second Order Change: Deciding – or being forced – to do something significantly or fundamentally different from what we have done before. The process is irreversible: once you begin, it is impossible to return to the way you were doing before.
New way of seeing things
Shifting gears
Irreversible
Often begins through the informal system
Transformation to something quite different
Requires new learning
New story is told
We fix how we are going to fix what's wrong.

In church second order change would look like: going from a capella to instrumental, having member testimonials of faith, electing progressive men to eldership, allowing women ministers and deacons, Doing praise and worship for entire length of service (no sermon), ministers disciple others for ministry and leadership, impliments change in problem areas even if solutions are being used by other denominations, having small group, supporting new ministries and missionaries, becoming missional, etc.

Third Order Change: Coming to realizations that changed your lives profoundly.
Changing their cosmology of how life works, what happens to them when they take actions and what it pays to do.
Reframes the problem as a solution in use.
Radical change in how we see the problems/solutions
Use of a new system or way of doing things outside the realm of possibilities of second order change.
Irreversible and universal (it changes those around as well)
The new stories from second order change have caused unplanned and unpredicted changes elsewhere in the system

Employing prophetic worship and prophetic ministries, allowing the presence of God to dictate order and length of worship, allowing all members (from children or seniors) to speak what God is moving them to speak or use spiritual gifts, allowing time for the gifts of healing to be utilized in worship time, having a fellowship meal for communion, equpping every member for ministry, every member is discipling and evangelizing, encouraging and supporting cell churches and house churches within the membership, etc.


It is rare that a church change. But I think change is possible if God is allowed to change the hearts and minds of the members and leadership...it is radical change.


What changes would you like to see in your church?

No Fear

The only consistent thing in life is change.

Life is like a mobile hanging from the ceiling. Each part has fallen into it's place based on balance. I am a part of that mobile and equilibrium has chosen where I feel most comfortable. Everyone in my life, from church, work, family, and neighborhood (and ultimately the county, state and country) knows what I am like and I have a place there.

But what happens if I change. What if I don't like where I am? And what if I do things differently? What happens to the mobile? If I change my weight on the mobile, the entire mobile must readjust to compensate for my change. If I change, the entire system must change!

Here are two examples that I have seen in my life. Fifteen years ago I was happily a part of of a conservative church. I was a cog in the church machine as a deacon, Bible class teacher, small group leader, and was actively involved in ministry. Through balance, I had a place among the church members. Then it fell apart....

I went to a Promise Keepers meeting at Texas Stadium and worshipped amidst charismatic, fundamental, Pentecostal, and conservative brothers from varying denominations and churches. That was the first time I raised my hands in worship. That was the first time I felt the presence of God in worship. It changed everything for me. I could no longer sit idly during worship without being there with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. It illustrated for me, the passion I had always wanted for Jesus.

So I go back to church the next day. I raised my hands in a non-hand-raising congregation. People looked at me (I was the one with my hands in the air during praise and I was pretty easy to see). People started talking but a few others started raising their hands too. Classes talked about it and the elders had to meet and say it was OK. That is how one person changing can change a larger group.

I live in a quiet neighborhood. A developer bought a house on our closed cul-de-sac to gain access to a large parcel of undeveloped land behind our neighborhood. We didn't want another 175 cars on our street per day. So I did something. I went from being quiet man in a quiet neighborhood to talking to the neighborhood and city leaders about it. I stood up against the developer, even under the criticism of others close to me. I spoke at the City Council meeting and the City Council agreed with me. Our neighborhood won. I changed what I did and it changed a neighborhood.

You wonder why your church won't change? Perhaps they need someone who will change themselves. You can be the agent of change in your family, church, neighborhood, city, state and nation by changing what you do and how you think. But you have to have the courage to act on what God is leading you to do. If you want to see God do more with you, you have to be faithful with the little things He leads you to do. What change is God leading you to make and how do you think that change would change those around you?

Ask God to give you the courage when you can't muster enough for yourself. Jesus is Lord.

Do we have to change?

One of my professors at Abilene Christian University had a saying: "If you always do what you have always done, you'll always get what you have always gotten." A similar statement is familiar to those in AA: "Doing the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of insanity." Both statements address the necessity of change in our lives.

Most of us wait for a life crisis to make changes in our lives. Cancer, heart attack, job loss, financial problems, separation/divorce, death of a family member, or feeling dead inside are all great excuses for changing the way we do life. We just aren't motivated to change our diet until we step on the scale and see 240 lbs or we find out we have diabetes. Eeeekkk!!! Then Katie bar the door...we are ready to do something about it.

Perhaps the same is true about our spiritual life. As long as everything is "fine," we can't even see a need to change. When we come to some spiritual crisis crossroads, where the old just won't work anymore, we are left to find a new path. We call this spiritual growth.

It happened to me seventeen years ago when my oldest child was born without most of his brain and multiple physical and mental disabilities. He didn't fit in my 'plan' and I was forced to adjust my plan. Shallowness became intolerable as I searched for a new way of relating. It couldn't settle for "church as usual" and had to change how much I was willing to give of myself into my spiritual well-being. I could no longer be a pew sitter (not that I was ever good at that).

I found it hard to relate to the "How's the weather?" crowd because I needed more. It's not that there is anything wrong with shallowness, I just couldn't relate to it anymore. I need people who are going to support me and my wife through really hard times with love, encouragement and depth. It's not easy being my friend because I need a deeper connection just for sanity.

God changed for me, as well. I had to have Him; He was no longer an option. He was/is the breath I breathe and the motive for me to live my life. I had to push all my spiritual chips to the middle of the heavenly poker table and go "all in." God has seen me through many a life crisis with Him being the only tether to sanity I had. My wife and I don't relate to God like the "non-crisis people." The storms of life have only served to deepen us. I look back on the crises and I see how each one lead me into a deeper understanding and dependence on God. There is no other explanation for it. For seventeen years, God's light has shown through Jared's life, a beacon in times of trouble.

Are you facing change? I hope you are. It means God has chosen you to go deeper with Him. Instead of asking the question, "Why me?" ask a different set of questions:
How can I adapt to the changing world around me?
How can I depend on God for strength and courage?
How can I submit to God's will during this trial?
Father, what do you want me to do next?
Father, how can I use this situation for your glory?