Heraclitus was right: All is flux, nothing stays still; nothing endures but change.
Managing change is our human lot. We cannot put an end to change. That would be death. We can only recognize that in the midst of change there is something constant. We yearn for that unchanging element. But it is not something we can grasp. We can only hope that we will "be grasped" (Tillich) by the mysterious presence that comprehends our world.
The proclamation of the gospel is the medium by which the transcendent God grasps us but in a way that prevents us from thinking that we have comprehended God. The gospel declares that in the midst of a changing world there is an unchanging purpose to which God is calling us to respond.
I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common, true faith. (Luther's Small Catechism1)
In the community of faith called Christ the King Lutheran Church we have experienced sad change, difficult change, and good changelots of change!
The "sad" changes have been the farewells and changes that have taken place in staff and members who have moved to different parts of the country and the world. In the five years since becoming senior pastor, I have said goodbye to Eileen Spehr, Ashley Hall, Chad Winterfeldt, Pr. Allison Hoenen, and Pr. Beth Warpmaeker. Gretchen Miertschin resigned as communications director. We also experienced a change of leadership in the music program. These changes were less sad because Carroll and Dorry Shaddock and Gretchen have not left. They are working to ensure that their hard-won gains flow on into the future.
The "difficult" change has been primarily in the finances. No sooner did we finish our new building than did we realize that we were already in an economic recession. Debt retirement, maintenance, and utilities are much more expensive. But I believe that we will balance our finances by the end of the year.
The "good" change has been overwhelmingly fortunate. The construction of a new ministry building has allowed us to venture out in areas that were impossible to attempt only two years ago. We have only to think about the amazing achievement of Wednesday Night Alive! It is delightful to think of the new members who have arrived in the last five years. We have also welcomed new staff leaders, Pr. Karin Liebster, Beverly Davis, Donna Pierce, Paul Meier, Dr. Albert LeDoux and Pr. Fred Haman.
So where are we going? We have a few months to work this out, but here are just some developments and challenges:
The Christian faith does not deny the philosopher's assertion that "all is flux." The faith confirms that there is yet something transcendent. It suggests to us that there is that which is greater than change. It is the all-encompassing God whom we have come to know in Jesus Christ and the message entrusted to us concerning him. We are convinced about change. We are also convinced that we can find in it the purposeful thread:
Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
1Kolb, R., Wengert, T. J., & Arand, C. P. 2000. The Book of Concord : The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Fortress Press: Minneapolis