Progressive

Progressive.

Many in my religious fellowship feel this is a derogatory term. This is due to the fact that many have not liked the changes that have been introduced in some of our sister congregations in the name of progress.

But often these well intentioned individuals end up “throwing the baby out with the bathwater.” We need to have biblical grounding for all of our actions, but that does not mean that no changes can possibly be made in our churches.

Can it possibly be true that God does not want progress? Of course, he wants progress. If we are to have progress in our churches, we are often going to need to make changes. Our memberships do not remain static. Basic demographics of those who attend will vary over time in respect to age, economic standing, religious background, education level, etc. In response to these, our teaching emphasis, our musical emphasis, our types of assemblies, etc., will often have to change.

Appropriate change is part of progress. That doesn’t mean change for the sake of change. That doesn’t mean changing the unchangeable. It means evaluating the church’s current situation and acting in a way that follows the will and does the work of God. Is current practice the best way to accomplish God’s work? Or is it time for new practice?

That kind of thinking is being progressive. I hope I can be part of that church.

Please consider this scripture:

“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw–each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.” (First Corinthians 3:10-14)

Please note that there is a foundation that cannot be changed, but there are several building materials that can be used to build. However, the building must be done in a way that will allow it to survive.