People Spots
Online
Produced by James W.
Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants
Provided as a service by New Life Ministries
Understanding Our Changing World
by James W. Moss, Sr.A number of years ago I heard a song. It spoke to my heart. It spoke of a time when there was a great deal of stability in life. It was "The Three Bells" by the Browns. The following are a few lines excerpted from that song:
All the chapel bells were ringing in the little
valley town,
And the song that they were singing was for baby Jimmy Brown . . .
All the chapel bells were ringing, 'twas a great day
in his life,
'Cause the songs that they were singing were for Jimmy and his wife . . .
Just a lonely bell was ringing in the little valley
town,
'Twas farewell that it was singing to our little Jimmy Brown . . .
In essence, Jimmy Brown lived in the same town, went to the same church, attended the same school, and worked for the same company his whole life. In fact, the company would make every effort to keep everybody employed, even making work when times were slow. The bells rang at the church for his birth, his wedding, and his death. This song speaks of a kind of stability in life that has long since disappeared. Many people in our churches long for this kind of world. But that world has vaporized.
It's a different world for Jimmy Brown today
Now the little Jimmy Browns that graduate from high school this year may have as many as ten different jobs in six different career tracks. They may attend several different schools and as many as six to ten different churches, if they attend at all.
People who have studied the issue of change have suggested that more change occurred between 1900 and 1990 than in all of the history of humankind before. Then in the decade from 1991-2000, more change occurred than in the previous 90 years. Change is the only constant in our culture today. It is unavoidable. The only question is whether we have the capacity to adjust to the winds of change.
I read that a tree exposed to the elements and torment of the wind will have the most beautiful grain in its wood. A Christian who depends upon the strength of our Lord will have the capacity to withstand the variety of changes sweeping about us. Those changes will bend us and create a beauty that only can come from wrestling with difficult times. Jacob wrestled with the angel and would not let him go without the blessing.
There have been changes in the financial scenery. A country which was once secure in its boundaries now wages a war on terrorism. Funds that were once counted on for retirement and basic living expenses are diminished significantly. Governments that promised there would be no tax increases now must do so or face excessive deficits. Educational units are faced with dramatic changes in what is being taught and how learning occurs. Today the 3 R's are simply not enough.
I accepted my first pastoral assignment in 1958. Ministry has changed so dramatically. Things that worked 40 years ago no longer work. Things that worked 20 years ago no longer work. In fact we aren't even sure if what worked yesterday will work today. I believe ministry is much more demanding than when I began. All the change has bred a sense of restlessness. Many people in the church long that all the changes occurring in culture, the economy, government, and education could somehow be avoided in the church. It seems as though the one constant is change.
However, we need to know there is more than that.
"For I am the Lord, I change not." Malachi 3:6
“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
In spite of all the changes, there is one basic constant. The triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—remains the same and will always be there undergirding and strengthening us.
Rock of Ages cleft for me, Let me hide myself in
thee
Let the water and the blood from thy riven side which flowed
Be of sin the double cure, cleans me from its guilt and power.
And it holds, my anchor holds, Blow your wildest then, O Gale
On my bark so small and frail, By his grace I shall not fail.
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.
_____________________
Read about Jim's seminars and books.
_____________________
January 10, 2003. Volume 6, Issue 1. People Spots Online is prepared by James W. Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants. It is provided as a service by New Life Ministries, www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org. Articles may be duplicated and reproduced in any way with proper credit. A new article is produced about every two weeks. To be added to a list to receive these messages directly by e-mail, send a request to churchconsultants@yahoo.com.