Churches: 'Adjust or die'
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___FORT WORTH--In the post-modern 21st century, churches need to make the transition from a culture rooted in Christianity to a first century-style pre-Christian mission field, according to David Burleson.
___"People today lack any memory of a hope-giving gospel," said Burleson, pastor of NorthRidge Community Church in Round Rock.
___Type the books of the Bible on a typical computer, and a wavy red line will appear under most of them. Burleson pointed to the absence of biblical words in pre-programmed computer spell-checks as a reminder of the transition in worldviews.
___"The spell-check on your computer is biblically illiterate, and so are most people," he said.
___Burleson led a seminar on "The Art of Relating in Transition" during the Innovative Church Conference Jan 31.
___"Our world is transitioning right out from underneath us. If our churches don't adjust, they will die," he predicted.
___Burleson identified four principles to help church leaders:
___
"Most people can handle some change in well-explained, well-led doses. So lead limited amounts of change, and lead it well."
___ "Don't try to transition a church further than your skill level will allow." The three critical skills needed are leadership, communication and evangelism, he said.
___ "Most people can only handle a limited amount of change. To transition beyond a certain point, you will have to kill the old church." The cost of pushing a church beyond that point could include involuntary termination, a church split or broken relationships, he reported.
___ "Church planting creates a perfect win-win solution to the problems of transition." By starting a new congregation, the pastor can preserve relationships and follow the vision he believes God has given him. "It multiplies rather than replaces kingdom work."
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