Actor Bill Murray is in the hot seat for what he calls a difference of opinion. The actor said things change, and change is certainly in the air. He said the world is different from when he was a kid. What was funny years ago is viewed as inappropriate today.
The way church operated 20-years ago is deemed culturally out of place. Services need to be short, entertaining, thought-provoking, and done in around an hour. Media images need to flash across the screen to keep audiences engaged. Change is mandated, and being relevant is paramount.
The traditionalist (regardless of denomination) balk, saying you are putting God in a box. In contrast, post-modernist (regardless of denomination) embraces the change in an effort to keep the church culturally relevant.
No matter where you land in this ongoing dilemma, you must not overlook one change. Are you getting closer to God, or the godhead as I call it; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit? If your answer is no, then are you willing to change?
A recent study reveals that religious leaders pray around four minutes a day. Think about this; how close can you be to someone if you only spend four minutes out of 24-hours with them? The answer is not very close (I will help you with these hard questions). It is time to make a change.
I have made a distinction between Christian and Christ-follower because today being a “Christian” can mean many things. Being a Christ-follower means one who follows Christ. Jesus says that not everyone who calls Him Lord will enter his kingdom. To me, this is the difference between Christian and Christ-follower.
A Christ-follower not only calls Jesus Lord, but they also follow him to the best of their ability. They are willing to do what is necessary to get close to him. If that means four minutes, wonderful, but if it means four hours, so be it.
The challenge with cultural relevance is convenience. Being a Christ-follower is not about the convenience of self but passionately-patiently waiting on God. The challenge with traditionalists is form and familiarity. Being a Christ-follower is not about form or familiarity but about getting close to God.
The question remains, am I getting close to God? If not, change.
But how do you change?
To begin with, you stop doing what you have always done. If it is not working, why continue doing it?
Next, take a long honest look at your life and determine if anything needs to change.
After that, give an earnest listen to your heart and note how much bitterness, anger, or resentment is in there.
That is followed by writing it ALL down—honestly, writing it down.
This is followed by finding a quiet place where you can read it aloud to God and ask for his forgiveness, followed by his help.
Then, in the words of the Old Testament book of Proverbs, you carry it out using all the help you can get. That could be talking to someone, finding a community to come alongside, reading testimonial books of those who have overcome adversity or watching videos of the same.
Throughout the process, you talk to God the Father, ask God the Holy Spirit to direct you where in the Bible to read, and ask God the Son to make himself known to you.
It seems a fitting close. In the movie What about Bob? Bill Murray’s character said to take baby steps; that is good advice.