When the Church Should Change

Part 2

The story is told of a time when the famed philosopher Diogenes looked intently at a large collection of human bones piled one on another. Alexander the Great stood nearby and became curious about what Diogenes was doing. When he asked the old man, the reply was, "I am searching for the bones of your father, but I cannot seem to distinguish them from those of the slaves."

If one were to search for the substance of what constitutes a church in our own day, would he be able to uncover the distinguishing marks–the fundamental essence of what makes a church different from other organizations?

All change is not to be discredited. The question is: When and what should the church change?

In the previous article we noted how the godly leadership of the church was led to make some changes because of the church's rapid expansion. The apostles were not resistant to these structural changes when it became clear that practical changes to the church's organizational structure would benefit a greater number of people: specifically, the Grecian widows (Acts 6).

In this article I want us to note another crisis which arose in the Early Church which forced the leadership to make an unpopular decision. Acts 15 records the apostles' deliberation and ultimate decision regarding a highly charged issue.

The crux of the crisis is stated in 15:1: "Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.'"

Thousands of Gentiles had been converted to Christ by this time. And some well-intentioned zealots were teaching that the male Gentiles could not be saved apart from undergoing the Jewish rite of circumcision. The converts were in a state of turmoil and tensions were mounting among the leadership. What was the church to do? How did they handle this crisis.

Some observations on Acts 15.

Observation 1: The church leaders called for a meeting of its leadership to discuss the crisis.

As mentioned in the previous article: leaders are called to lead. If leaders learn of a severe problem and fail to take appropriate action, they are derelict and not worthy to be leaders.

Many local churches could have avoided damaging splits if there had been wise and courageous leaders to take the initiative when wolves entered to ravish the sheep. To stand by and do nothing when action is called for is irresponsible. Shepherds occasionally are called by God to use the rod as well as the oil–to set things in order as well as to provide comfort.

Many pastors and church leaders in our day are ministering in a fog. They're living under the illusion that the problem will go away. They know which side their bread is buttered on. They don't want to create waves. To go along is to get along. God help us! Where have all the godly, kind-hearted, level-headed leaders gone?

The Early Church recognized the problems and didn't ignore them. They were proactive. They called for a meeting to discuss the issues in depth.

Pray that your leaders will not be fearful men, but faith-filled and wise men. Men who aren't afraid to face up to the church's problems.

Observation 2: The squeaky wheel shouldn't always get the grease.

Acts 15:5 reads: "Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, 'The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.'"

A church sign board recently grabbed my attention: "Truth is not determined by the volume of the voice." How often does the leadership of your church accommodate disgruntled people only because they are afraid of losing them. The Christian-Pharisee group in the Early Church was sizeable, but the apostles never compromised the fundamentals of the gospel in order to appease this group.

A pastor recently told me that one of his members informed him that if he didn't change the way he was doing some things that she could always leave. He responded the right way. He told the dear sister that there were several churches in the area she might consider. Church leaders are not called to be bull-headed; they are called to stand for the integrity of the gospel and not allow themselves to be manipulated or intimidated by self-willed critics. The squeaky wheel shouldn't always get the grease!

Observation 3: Wise, Spirit-led leaders have learned the difference between the fundamentals and the incidentals.

Peter went to the core of the matter: "Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers were able to bear? No! We believe that through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."(1)

It is one thing to be valiant for truth and Spirit-led; it is another thing to be nostalgic for tradition and react viscerally to all change.

The Christian Pharisees were in love with their religious history, ceremonies and rules. They had taken on Christ, but were still steeped in their old ways: the New had superceded the Old; old wineskins could not contain the new wine of the Kingdom of God. Their rigidity created confusion and bondage. What was the church to do? Who will it listen to? Peter spoke; he reminded his audience that God had given the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles without the benefit of circumcision. But his was only one voice.

Observation 4: Critical changes should only be made after listening to multiple godly, wise leaders.

In 15:6-11, the apostle Peter shares his view on the subject. But that's not enough. In verses 12-21, Barnabas, Paul and James affirm and expand on what Peter had stated.

It is of the highest importance whenever a church is facing a crisis of change for it to consult several men who have a reputation for godliness and wisdom. Churches without number have ended up on the craggy rocks of destruction and uselessness because of unwise, worldly leadership. They are churches without the Spirit. Men and women who are filled with the Holy Spirit are God's guardians and guides to local churches. But one voice isn't enough. "In the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established."

Observation 5: Wise decisions made by godly leaders will lighten the load of God's people.

James concluded: "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God ..."(2) And later upon hearing the letter read of the council's decision, Acts 15:31 reports, "The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message."

It is one thing to wear the yoke of Christ, it is quite another thing to impose man-made yokes on our fellow disciples–the one is easy, the other a burden. Spirit-led leaders will not impose the latter.

By living in the flow of the Spirit, a dynamic, Spirit-filled church will change its structures when necessary, and will face up to the realities of cultural changes which do not compromise the church's integrity nor violate the Word of God. Change will come, but how we change, when we change, and what we change must all be done in the light of God's Word by humble, Spirit-filled leaders.

During a hike in the woods a troop of Boy Scouts came across an abandoned section of railroad track. Each boy in turn tried walking the rails but eventually lost his balance and tumbled off. Two boys, after considerable whispering, suddenly offered to bet that they could both walk the entire length of the track without falling off. Challenged to make good their boast, the two boys jumped up on opposite rails, extended a hand to balance each other, and walked the entire section of track with no difficulty whatever.

With the Word of God as one rail and the Holy Spirit as the other, it is every church's privilege to walk a balanced walk through a terribly lopsided and distorted world. Worldly-minded church members may be insistent and vocal, power-hungry individuals may insist on having their own way, but godly, Spirit-led leaders must insist on walking the two tracks.

I pray that your church will face its present and future challenges responsibly. May God grant you godly, Spirit-filled leaders who will be filled with His wisdom. May they be men of courage and integrity, men of nobility and honor. May they be men filled with the very life of the Spirit, seeking the mind of God for your situation. Pray for them, encourage them; follow them as they follow Christ. If you don't have such men, pray that God will raise them up.

1. Acts 15:10, 11
2. Acts 15:19