In life, we are constantly met with new changes that we must adapt to. Whether we like them or not, we must accept them, despite how difficult we perceive them to be. According to the late Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “The only thing that is constant is change.” And while is not always the case, change happens most of the time because it is necessary.

I understand that adapting to change is usually easier said than done. It can be difficult to alter our lives when we are so accustomed to something, especially if the change does not initially seem all that logical. However, life is all about embracing changes and stepping out of our comfort zones, because doing this often comes with so many benefits. Even when something does not make sense, it is best to approach the idea with an open mind and consider the potential benefits before simply rejecting it all together.

I am saying all of this because I believe that there is a change that is all too often simply rejected before being even given the slightest consideration. This change is the change in the church.

Going about changes in the church is typically a controversial subject because it often causes a divide within a church. There is usually the half of the church that deems it necessary and the other that refuses to accept anything that departs from the norm. And although I usually choose to stray away from voicing my controversial opinions, I felt that perhaps by stating mine, I could shed some light as to why I believe we should stop fighting this much-needed change.

Sometimes, a church needs to change its ways, because old-fashioned ways are not always the most effective. While the purpose of a church is for a body of people to join together to learn about the word of God and praise Him, this congregation is not to be composed solely of Christians. A church’s goal should be to constantly attract new people with the aim of exposing them to Christianity. To do this, a church needs to seem enticing to its visitors.

If a church is viewed as old-fashioned and boring, then it is likely that Christianity will appear in that same way as well. To quote my pastor, Jon Lorch, “Church ought to be fun because we serve a risen God.” Therefore, a church essentially needs to strive to be exciting yet comfortable for its potential members.

Whether it be through transitioning to contemporary music that younger generations can more easily relate to, wearing less professional attire to give a more accepting vibe, simply serving free coffee and snacks for enjoyment or anything else of the sort, these simple changes can often result in such drastic improvements.

However, when people within a church try to go about these changes, they are often met with resistance from many members. You see, people are often uncomfortable with change. The thought of sacrificing our routines and what we are accustomed to never seems appealing, but we tend to forget that these sacrifices are to be made for something bigger than us.

We are called to make this sacrifice for God. Sometimes, we have to set aside our hymnals and leave the confines of our pews to do the work that God is calling us to do. We have to realize that church is not designed to ensure us the utmost comfort. Its purpose is to reach others.

And I say none of this out of spite, but in hopes that we can all put aside our pride and join together instead of falling apart. Let us follow the will of God and not our own.