Notes on Leadership Journal, Part 4- Change

Let’s be clear on one thing: The message of Jesus NEVER changes. However, the methods in which we reach the lost for Christ must.

Culture always changes. New cultures always emerge. Old ways of doing things always die out.

Christianity has always made attempts to keep their message the same, while changing their methods in order to keep up with culture and to reach it. Sometimes this is done with great success; sometimes it is not.

The early Church was very good at this. The Apostle Paul used philosophies, religion, and art from the cultures he visited in order to win them for Christ and plant new churches within the area. Because of his efforts, we are here today. The early Church adopted the rhythms of pagan holidays and replaced them with new holidays to reflect the core doctrines of the Christian faith, so that people could be reached. And because of pioneers like Martin Luther, the printing press was used to distribute Scripture into the hands of the common person so that the religious establishment could no longer lord it over people.

Today revolutionaries of the faith are utilizing the internet, social networking, secular music, podcasting, mobile phone applications, and controversial culturally relevant preaching to reach the lost in huge ways not seen for generations.