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SOME GUIDELINES FOR BRETHREN WHEN DEALING WITH CHANGE

People in leadership positions in churches seem to be constantly dealing with change in the way brethren do church. This has caused a lot of difficulty in various fellowships. However it is apparant that brethren cannot run away from change and the church. If brethren wish to give responsible leadership involving cultural change and the way they do church, they need to consider such things as these:

1. Accept the fact that cultural change has occured these past 40 years and likely will continue to take place. Remember the Mennonites refused to change.

2. Accept the continuing challenge of presenting New Testament Christianity in the cultural cloth of today's adults.

3. Develope definite plans for change based on joint decisions by brethren which are scripturally correct, theologically sound, and vowed benevolently by the congregation.

4. Use the "mustard seed" approach. This means that small changes are less objectionable than large or substantial changes.

5. Use the model of the "Tortoise" approach rather than the "Hare". This means brethren need to implement changes at a slow rate rather than moving quickly. People need time to adapt.

6. Pay close attention to what is being highlighted when implementing change. Change needs to result in better edification of the congregation rather than "change for change sake."

7. Be kindly patient toward those who have "scruples", but be determined that a "weak" faith will not be the "strength" of the congregation. This means that those who are weak in the faith will not determine the "boundries" of the faith.

8. Communicate! Comminucate! Communicate!.

9. Have a genuine love for all members of the church.

10. Spend much time in study and prayer, then remember "In your patience you possess your souls" (Lk 21:19)