Do you tend to be more open or more resistant to change? Change can be scary!
Charles Darwin observed, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” In this he got it right: the one with the ability to adapt wins. The feet of the red-eyed tree frog have developed suction cups on their toes, allowing them to climb trees and stick to leaves. Their beautiful coloration allows them to be covert, camouflaged under a leaf until the timing is right to emerge and strike their prey.
In human terms, it is not the kid in class with the highest I.Q. that ends up the wealthiest or the greatest leader; it’s the one with the most E.Q.—Emotional Intelligence. The ability to read a situation and adapt your strategy is the greatest indicator of ultimate success in relationships and business innovation.
How about in the movement Jesus started 2000 years ago? Historically, the Church has always had the ability to adapt to different environments and survive. From the catacombs of Rome to the underground Church in China, sincere believers have always discovered new ways to create flexible forms of meeting and growing.
But what about the current Church world? The decline of influence in western civilization is astonishing. In particular, the impact of believers on culture is in rapid decline and forecasting an alarming erosion among young people 25 years old and younger. We know the formula for building a certain type of church, but we don't have models to shape modern nation states. If we don't adapt we may be finding our way back into a moral and spiritual dark ages.
Don't settle for merely “going to church.” The front lines are now going to church and planting a new kind of church. They are a covert company of praying entrepreneurs who go into every system and occupy the landscape with new models of heaven invading earth.
I am interested in learning how you have adapted and what you see emerging in the Church landscape. How are you going into systems? Tell me what strategies you are deploying…I want to hear from you!
Lance:
I just finished reading two books by Mario Murillo “Don’t leave Quietly” and “It’s Our Time Now” along with “23 Minutes In Hell” by Bill Weise. A trilogy of books that need to be read by the corporate Christian body and church leadership that cries out for the lost. Finally a must read for all Christians is “Holiness—The Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, And Roots” by J.C. Ryle. I mention these book because they are cutting edge and represent what is missing in most Believers. Living a life of repentance knowing that what Jesus said He heard His Father say and thus neither of them are kidding around. The “church” has woefully neglected teaching Believers salvation is a walk not a one time occurrence—sit in the pew and desire bells and whistles—smoke and mirrors. Paul said it this way: “Today is the day of Salvation” (2Cor:6:2) and “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil: 2:12) At 79 years old I received “It’s Our Turn Now” as if it was written directly to me. Father is not finished with those of us that pray and intercede for the lost. The prophets are crying out WAKE UP!—WAKE UP! CAN YOU NOT SEE THE SIGNS? The only strategy I know and have used over the past 55 years is a heart to “set the captives free” and that they grow in measure and stature of Christ Jesus. It’s past time to set “sloppy agape and greasy grace” on the dung heap and join the army armed with the Holy Ghost casting out devils, laying hands on the sick, being Baptized in the Holy Ghost with evidence, and doing and believing the things that Jesus did we too can do and that we are called to get off the pews of entertainment . To God be the glory: manifest the mystery Christ in us the hope glory.