Change? Over my dead body!

Last week I attended a conference on change organised by a group called RUN. This was the second of their day conferences that I have attended and I was so impressed that I became a member.

Change is a very emotive subject for some people, which is probably not surprising in these days of such rapid changes in our society. Some people are so enthusiastic about change that their emotions go into top gear as soon as a change appears on the horizon. Other people are so set against change that they flare up as soon as a change appears on the horizon.

But there are also many people who respond to change in a calm, methodical, matter-of-fact manner. They are not phased even by unexpected change or enforced change. They adapt to the change, absorb into their life, and get on with the living. They make the best of the change rather than resisting it or promoting it.

The Church has to change and to keep on changing. Some denominations have had this acceptance of change built into their structures since their formation in the 16th century. For example the Church of Scotland describes itself as 'Reformed and Always Reforming'. The phrase inspires in me the image of the potter's clay as it spins on the wheel, continually being reshaped towards its final goal, and sometimes started afresh.

I feel a bit like a lump of clay myself! Spinning round and round and seeming to go nowhere; yet continually being remoulded and reformed into the vessel my creator has in mind. Some days I hardly even recognise myself!

Some groups need to change for their own good, but don't acknowledge that need. They may realise internally that they cannot continue as they have been but in discussion convey the impression that everything is fine and nothing needs to be changed.

Such resistance to change often results from a defensive attitude. They have been fighting against decline for so long that they are determined to continue the traditions of the past even although they are just a shadow of their former glory.

There is a great sense of pride in their building, or the way they do things, or in the wonderful achievements of the past. All this is usually an attempt to fend off the inevitable - decline until eventual death.

It doesn't have to be that way. Honest!

A few months ago I was asked, "Why do so many people not go to Church any more?'

It's a good question to ask as we look around at so many almost empty churches. But finding the right answer won't fill our churches again. Another question is needed.

The reason that so many churches are almost empty is that they have stopped answering other people's questions.

Of course, in one sense, we could answer the way the banks answered, with a general answer, like 'Yes' now what's the question! Or in the church's case, Jesus is the answer, now what is your question.

The answer 'Jesus' is correct, but people outside the church don't know what it means. Jesus does have all the answers, but it takes time to get to know him and to learn to hear him speaking. It takes too long for most folk.

Jesus told his disciples that they were to be the answer. As other people looked at the disciples they would realise that the disciples were followers of Jesus. They would see the answer, in the flesh, for real.

Jesus sent his disciples out into the countryside, into all the world. He didn't tell them to hide away in buildings, or to stick their heads in the sand. He sent them into the world, to be different from people around them - to be like Jesus.

It is good to have somewhere to meet, out of the cold, away from the wind, sheltered from the rain. But if that's the only place where other people might catch a glimpse of you being like Jesus then they won't see Jesus, because they are outside.

We can't expect them to come inside. They don't know what happens inside. They are not used to being inside. People live differently nowadays.

When Jesus was raised back to life after being crucifed on the cross, he did meet with his disciples inside - but that's because he went to where they were.

After they realised that Jesus was alive again the disciples went everywhere. They went to Damascus, to Joppa, to Antioch, to Ephesus, to Corinth, to Rome, and beyond - even as far as Britain! They went to where the people were - people who didn't know Jesus. And as they went they made disciples - more followers!

Jesus is calling the Church to go, leave the buildings behind. The country is full of meeting places - and needs to be full once again of those who are following Jesus. He is not stuck inside - follow Him, outside, into all the world, into the pub, the golf club, the bowling club, the sailing club, the night club, the hills and dales, the mountains and the glens, the highways and byways.

Jesus said, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men, and women."