It’s a word that has the ability to strike fear and dread into the hearts of those we minister to whilst inducing insomnia-like symptoms for those of us initiating it – change.

I have often said that I’m not opposed to change, I just don’t like it when it happens!

Change questions that which is known, validates the vision and often comes with a price tag.

In the context of ministry change usually refers to a perceived need for a shift in an existing culture within the faith community, in an effort to more effectively minister to others. This means questioning what is already being done, how effectively it is being done and what it could look like if it were to be done differently.

Change provides opportunities for the vision to be validated; that is the degree to which the communicated vision is understood and embraced.

Opposition to change, initially, is to be expected but a faith community who have a clearly articulated understanding of where they are going and why they are going there will adapt to and embrace the shift in culture more readily despite the natural discomfort that often accompanies the move into the unfamiliar.

Change is costly.  Shifting culture requires personal and corporate faith, clear vision, human and material resources, physical and spiritual endurance, sensitivity and compassion.

Ezra records that when the foundations were laid for the new temple of the Lord, the people of Israel shouted praises whilst many of the older priests who had seen the former temple wept aloud at the sight of the new foundations because they were so different to what they had known in the past.*

When it comes to culture shifting, what we start with will always be the product of what came before and what we end up with – whilst it might look entirely different – will always point to the journey of growth and development within the spirituality of the community of faith whilst reflecting the One it seeks to make known.

*Ezra 3:1-13 (NIV84)