As many of you know were in are a huge transition of change at City Church right now. Change is always full of emotions! Most people don't like to change, except change that they see as necessary. I hate to admit it but that is also true of me.
When I read the Bible I see a book that was written about change. It was never God's intent for you to never change. He calls all of us daily to change to become more like Christ. Change for the church is good and healthy!
The call of the church is not simply to serve those that attend but to serve those who are far from Christ. We (me to) get so caught up about the church being about us and our families that we fall to remember why the church exists. Church is more than programs, it more than going to a place where I know everybody; it’s about the gospel of Christ and bring people do a deeper understanding of Him. Church has to become more than a social club.
I want to ask City Church and Ethos to embrace this change. We must look to our spiritual leaders and trust that they are leading us where God is telling them.
I read this excerpt from a letter my dad wrote and it just reminded me of his heart to lead our community.
He wrote..."A little over thirty-two years ago, Trudy and I drove our U-Haul Truck into Chattanooga. We were young, idealistic, and somewhat naïve. But, we believed that God was going to do something great at the little church on Lee Highway.
A small handful of “saints” welcomed us, and some of them actually caught the vision of better things to come. We prayed…and prayed…and prayed. We worked hard, and we loved deeply. We changed a lot of things, and I mean whole lot of things. Some couldn’t make the transition. They just knew we were destroying their church. It was hard, but each week, I would look out from the pulpit and see a new face…a new family…young couple…people hungry for God. As I write this, it’s hard for me to see my monitor for the tears in my eyes as I think about it.
Over the years we have changed and transitioned many times. In fact, change has become a part of our culture at City Church. But, think about it. Most of you are at our church today because we were willing to take the risk to make important, strategic changes in how we “did church.” You wouldn’t be here today if we had not changed.
Change is hard, but it is worth it. There are greater things yet to be done…new families to be reached…a new generation of leaders to be raised up…new disciples to be birthed.
I know that I am coming up on my last lap as your leader. Someone asked me recently, “Do you think you have one more change in you?” I thought about it for a moment because I know what change is about, and then I said, “You bet.” I plan to finish strong…sprinting to the finish line. Together let’s present the next generation of City Church leaders a vibrant church that is not afraid of the future.
I hope you will live this adventure with Trudy and me. Let’s go for it…one more time!"
As I read this I was move greatly by a man who has been and continue to be a great leader. True leaders are never satisfied when the status quo. They lay their heads on their pillow at night and sleep well only when they know they are making a difference. Leadership is hard because leadership is about influencing people. City Church is the church it is today and they church it will be in the future because of a man and woman who refused to play it safe.
Dad/Mom thank you for taking a risk, thank you for allowing young leaders to lead beside you, thank you for your vision of Ethos, thank you for always believing in the next generation, thank you for your leadership.
My family is all in on the change....we will lead beside you...I believe with all my heart that the best is yet to come.
PS Dad I am not even sure you read my blogs lol but if you do it time for you to finish your book missional matrix.
