The “Why?” Factor

Why churches resist change

And how to move the church forward

Changing what we do requires changing why we do it.

There is a reason—based upon deeply held, often spiritually motivated values—why congregations in the past developed cathedral ceilings, stained glass windows, elevated platforms for the preachers, a suit-and-tie dress code, and sanctuary decorum requiring silence and absolutely no food or drink.

There is also a reason—based upon deeply held, often spiritually motivated values—why congregations today create an informal atmosphere so different from that of the past.

The question is: How do we deal with such differences in values without losing the people in our churches who hold these differing values?

Anticipate Resistance

To push heavy furniture across the floor you must overcome the initial friction between the furniture and the floor.

It can become too easy sometimes to over-spiritualize the resistance people put up when they feel threatened by change. While Satan may take advantage of the friction when change in the church is proposed, the people who are feeling threatened should not be automatically characterized as agents of the devil. From their point of view, you may be Satan’s agent because you are the one who initiated the change and thereby brought disruption to the fellowship of believers. It is this finger pointing at each other that Satan thrives on.

The reality is that people as a rule do not like change. People who resist change are not (necessarily) your enemy, just as the floor beneath the furniture you wish to move is not your enemy.

So, how can this friction be overcome with as little damage as possible? Es a leader, educate yourself on what kind of resistance to expect and prepare for it. Educate yourself: talk with your people, love them, and get to know their heart—why they cherish the status -quo. A soft blanket between the furniture and the floor can move heavy objects with relative ease! The apostle Paul puts it this way—"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Rom. 14:19).

Communicate, Don’t Isolate

Ask, “why?”

Often, resistance to change is based upon deeply held (maybe even biblical) values, such as, ‘dress your best for church.’ This usually has beneath it the value of reverence for God and His house of worship, based upon such verses as— “The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God” (Ex. 23:19).

You may be more inclined to approach worship more informally. And you are convinced you have biblical grounds for doing so. You want to avoid excluding people from worship based upon how they dress or look, and you desire to include all who want to come. Your value is based upon such biblical precedents as—“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

Is one more biblically true than the other? Of course not. But one biblically based value may be more appropriate than another due to changes in culture. In a time and culture where a lack of reverence and awe for God as the Creator and Lord of the universe might lead to an overly casual lifestyle—a lifestyle that may downplay the power of sin and temptation, an emphasis on reverence in worship would be quite appropriate. Conversely, a long history of emphasizing reverence in worship can also lead to an outward show of reverence that excludes those who truly love the Lord but who may not “dress the part.” 

Our role as “pastor-teachers” is to educate and train the family of God through careful, Spirit-led teaching from God’s Word, and by our example on how to be the people of God in every cultural setting.

Nudge, Don’t Shove

Lasting change takes time.

Treat the people God has entrusted you to shepherd with love and respect, even when you are not treated that way.

Those in your congregation who are inclined to follow your lead—those who are more accepting of change—can often help encourage those who change more slowly. Let the process take its course without forcing it. Remember, your goal is to build up the Body of Christ into the fulness of Christ, not to force it into a mold of your making. As the Scripture reminds us: “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2Cor. 13:11).

Always remember, our role and our goal as pastors is to “equip the saints for the work of the ministry.” Equipping assumes that they are not equipped yet, at least not to the point of maturity in Christ we should all strive for. Let’s be careful not to cause unnecessary damage to the body of believers we have been called to serve.

Nudge, don’t shove.