Mention the word “change,” and you get all kinds of responses from dread to fear and questions: “Why?” This month we celebrate one of the greatest changes in church history as well as the history of the world – The Protestant Reformation! As Lutherans we praise and thank God for this change and those who led it. We sing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” and we revel in the supremacy of the Word of God over the words of men and traditions, and rightly we should! However, in the midst of our annual celebration, we must admit that while we laud the monumental changes the Reformation brought about, we tenaciously resist change ourselves. Introduce a new song or hymn in worship, or suggest a different time of worship and watch what happens (and you probably ought to duck). And these are insignificant changes when compared to abolishing indulgences and translating the Bible into the language of the people.

We have had no choice but to accept many changes in the past seven months or so due to the threat and spread of the corona virus. Some have resisted like many college students who insist on partying rather than wearing masks and distancing. Do you remember a church that defied the government order to suspend holding public worship services last Spring? Many members ended up contracting the virus and some died, including the pastor as I recall. Many, like myself, have reluctantly complied with the guidelines and accepted the necessary changes. A few have embraced the changes, quarantined, distanced and donned masks. ALL OF US have been affected by these changes. We have yet to see the full impact of all of these changes on our society, including the church. Interestingly enough, studies have been carried out examining the changes brought about by the Black Plague and how it contributed to changes in the Catholic Church and the Reformation!

All of this resistance to change! Change may be difficult, but it is more often necessary and beneficial. I don’t like it when a new version of Microsoft Windows comes out and I have to adapt and learn a revised system. But, it brings with it new and improved capabilities. The man who is told he must have heart by-pass surgery and make some changes in his lifestyle may not like it. If he wants to live, he must change. Churches are the same way. They must adapt and change if they want to live and fulfill their mission. The church of 1960 just won’t cut it in 2020! Of course I am not talking about theology, doctrine or confession. In the midst of all of this change, Christ Has A New Goal Envisioned! Martin Luther understood this and put his trust in God when he challenged the church to change!

Trinity must embrace a new vision of ministry in light of a constantly changing culture inside and outside of the church. Already the pandemic has forced Trinity to expand worship services online and in our drive way! I doubt this would have happened if COVID-19 had not forced it. More changes are coming in the postpandemic world and as we search for new pastoral leadership. God bless us with ’20-20’ vision to see that Christ Has A New Goal Envisioned!

~ Pastor Dennis Krueger