Change is difficult for most of us. To move from one place to another, one culture to another means we will walk through an adaptation process that is unfamiliar to us. We will walk through “territory” that is unknown and must explore for the first time.
Most people say they don’t like change. However, it’s not the ‘change event’ that is troublesome, it’s the transition process. It’s the thought of learning new habits, building new friends, and establishing a life in a new location or a new ministry that is unfamiliar to you. Change is hard because of the emotions surrounding that journey of transition.
Living as “immigrants” (1 Peter 2:11-12) in this world is part of our calling. It means that our immigrant lifestyle, both as individuals and as a community, will entail change. It means that we will need to “build a transition raft” that will help navigate the changes that will be part and parcel of this calling.
One critical element of change transition is a strong and vital community. When changes arise, a community will provide us with the stability needed to walk through the unknown. A community will drive us back to our power base, Jesus Christ, reminding us of His sovereign care and presence in all things. A community does not keep us from change. It resources us by helping us see God in the change and builds anew a prayerful and dependent spirit.
World Team is changing, and will change even more as we move into the future. For that very reason, we need to be in community and grow in community so togetherwe can navigate well those changes .
Filed under: Change & transition, Community |
Thoughts Along The Journey 
Good post, David.