God Is In Change

Where did the idea come from that 'change' is not good? That 'different' is not desirable? When folks ask me if I know why I am loosing my hair, I tell them, "Oh yes! It's from beating my head against the walls of tradition that people in the church construct to keep them safe!"

Last night I met with an amazing group of people: Vacation Bible School representatives from churches throughout the community. First of all, God bless the dear ones who, in a moment of weakness, consent to represent their church on the Vacation Bible School Planning Committee. Secondly, God especially bless the ones who, once on the Committee, consider it a responsibility and privilege to convey the Word of God to the children of the community in ways that will excite them, not bore them to death. Lastly, God abundantly bless the ones who consider it the norm to change Vacation Bible School to meet the needs of the children today.

This small group of God's servants decided to change the time, from morning to evening; to change the dates, from the heat of July to the cooler times of June; and to birth a new schedule which favors 'blocks of time' for family group participation, rather than set classroom schedules. When the meeting was over I offered a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the Spirit's work in removing the timidity of tradition and instilling a courage of conviction. As surely as children learn in multi-media, multi-dimensional environments every day of their lives so, too, must the Church move towards fully embracing a multi-faceted presentation of the Word of God in this new age. Flannel board presentations will likely make for finely bored children. In the new paradigm, film strips should make for great craft resources, just as chalk dust should be found outside on the hands of children allowing their imaginations and faith to run wild on the sidewalks. Digital photography and videos enable new, nearly immediate viewing of young minds interpreting the scriptures in new ways, even as the 'old, old story' erupts from music more nearly geared to the children than their grandparents.

Sir Winston Churchill, in the throes of the Nazi bombardment of England is quoted as saying, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." I'm not so sure Churchill wasn't speaking to the Church when confronted by the opportunity for change,"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Must we, through our traditional way of doing things, maintain such control and decorum as to never allow the Spirit room for 'a new thing to happen here'? (Sometimes it makes me wonder whether, if Jesus' crucifixion happened here today, the people who lobby so adamantly for tradition in the church wouldn't be the ones found holding the large stone to the door of the tomb in place so that Jesus couldn't come out, fearing that an empty tomb would signal the need for dollars having to be spent updating curriculum and methodologies!)

I am grateful to God for God's chosen servants who lead God's people to new faith, freedom, and service, people like Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Elijah, David . . . and the visionary people of the Community Vacation Bible School Committee with which I met last night. God is still speaking in ways we can understand, and God is still inspiring a new and right Spirit in the hearts of those open to God's change in our world. Thanks be to God for their witness!

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Don