Transformational Ministry is All About Life-Change

Change is always a loaded word. A friend once said to me that getting us to change our preferences in worship services was harder than getting us to change our morning bathroom routine.  Considering that most of us start each day with the same routine I could see what he meant.

“Transformation” (its other forms are transforming and transformational) is a very popular word in the conversation about the dynamics of congregational life today.  Transformation is certainly about change but not just any kind of change.  I find it useful to contrast the words “conform” and “transform.”

“Conform” means to change the shape of something or to mold something in the pattern of another. If I take a handful of modeling clay, I can mold it – conform it – into a variety of shapes.  To “transform,” on the other hand, is to change not merely the shape of something, but its very nature or essence.  If I change that handful of clay into gold, now that would be a transformation (and a rather exciting one at that)!

Transformational ministry is all about changing lives – not merely change for its own sake or change just in outward appearance but change in the inner being and experience of growing as disciple-followers of Jesus.  It is also about changing our congregations - not merely re-shaping a few programs and activities but embracing new ways of being and doing church.  A transformational congregation is an agent of change in the lives of its people and in the lives of people in its community.  It is so by the grace, love, and initiative of our loving God working in and through the congregation.

For those of us who have been involved in the life of the church for a fair number of years, we have seen all sorts of re-organizations in congregations and denominations. Virtually every such “re-org” genuinely begins as an authentic effort to be a more vital and fruitful fellowship of God’s people.  I suppose one could become cynical about such re-orgs after awhile and call them mere movement of the deck chairs on the Titanic but the truth is deeper than that.  As we open ourselves to new approaches while affirming those practices of deep and intrinsic value to us in our faith traditions, the God who is “doing a new thing” will in fact do a new thing!  It’s better than refusing to change and actually ending up like the Titanic!

By the way, growing transformational momentum does not mean “we have to change everything!”  There are many facets of our Christian life from the celebration of Lord’s Supper to the centering of our lives on our understanding of Holy Scripture as well as various activities and church programs that we value deeply. To change them would be only for the sake of change.

Some questions to consider:

What do you see are the key issues of transformation for the individual and for the congregation?

How can we honor what is precious in conviction and present practices and also seek and allow new things to happen?

“Do not be conformed to this world,^* but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.^*” Romans 12:2 NRSV

With Joy - E. Stanley Ott