Change and the Church

The past few Wednesday nights, we have had some interesting discussion. If you have been here, you have played a significant part, and I thank you for that. If you have not been here, you have been missing some good interaction as we have thought about how this country, community, and church has changed over the past several years.

First, we looked at 1 Corinthians 9:12b—18, where Paul took his stewardship of the Gospel seriously and worked diligently so as not to create any obstacles to the proclamation of the Gospel. We have also been considering 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, where we see Paul adapting to the people he was ministering to. When working with Jews, Paul became like a Jew. When ministering to Gentile Christians, he recognized that their assumptions and practices were different than those of the Jews. Paul didn’t compromise the Gospel, but he did adapt his methods to the different culture(s).

This past week, we considered 2 Timothy 4:1-5, where Paul charged Timothy to “preach the Word.” This charge is often given to pastors and missionaries during their ordination service. However, this charge is also given to the church as a whole. Our mission is to preach the Gospel and make disciples. The challenge is that the very thing Paul warned Timothy about is very common in our society: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions… (2 Timothy 4:3).”

So, what’s the application of all this? Let’s face it, our country, community and church have changed significantly over the past 30 +/- years. Assumptions have changed. People have changed. And so, we must consider how we should adapt, so that we can effectively share the unchanging Gospel with a constantly changing world. I invite you to come and participate in this discussion. If you come, I encourage you to think deeply, pray hard, and consider how God has equipped you to participate in His work at Dayton Center Church.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker