If You REALLY Want to Change the World …

If you really want to change the world … or the church, don’t focus on outcomes. Focus on behaviors.

If I am writing a book or a series of articles, I know what I want to achieve. So it’s not the outcome that is my problem. It’s knowing and implementing what behaviors are needed to make it happen.

State governors and political leaders in Congress tell us that preserving our economy and balancing the budget is essential, something most thinking Americans have know for years. It’s not the outcome that is the problem. It’s knowing and implementing the complex and courageous behaviors needed to make it happen.

Think of something you’d like to see changed. For example, what about ageism and the growing generation gap in society and the church today? You know it exists and that it presents huge societal and spiritual hurdles. The fact that you would like for it to be different is not the problem. It’s knowing and implementing the behaviors needed to bridge this gap in your family, church or city.

A possible behavior change: become vitally acquainted with five who are 20 years older and five who are 20 years younger than you are. Look for ways to spend time with them. Listen to their stories. Discover what it is like for them to live in today’s world. Share how knowing Christ and living a life strong in faith has enriched your journey, helped you overcome mistakes and made you who you are today. Don’t wait. Reach out. Earn the right to be valued and accepted by the generations.

Feel a need to deepen your spiritual life? In his book, Spirituality and Aging, noted gerontologist Robert C. Atchley points up the fact that gerontology as a discipline has woefully underestimated the importance of spirituality for aging people. He notes that, “people over 40 are primary consumers of literature, workshops, retreats and personal growth programs concerning spirituality.”

He goes on to say that among elders “service is very often a spiritual experience,” especially when springing from what he refers to as serving-from-spirit.“ The serving-from-spirit concept is based on the idea that effective service in the community is rooted in two things: 1) a cultivated connection with the experiential spirituality that lies within each human being, and 2) knowledge and skills needed to be effective in whatever arena of service one chooses.” Atchley states that, “Serving-from-spirit is a stance from which to be of service and a model of how one can grow spiritually and at the same time become more effective in service to the community.”

As an evangelical Christian, I recall the emphasis there was in my early years on ‘telling’ the gospel. We practiced methods, read booklets, memorized formulaic doorstep approaches to evangelism. It seems that over the years, we relied on so much ‘telling’ in America that a staggering percentage of people even inside the church have actually stopped listening.

The goal of reaching lost people has not changed. But our behaviors? Well, let’s just say that telling the story of Jesus on someone’s doorstep may not be nearly as convincing as mowing their lawn or fixing a loose porch step. Preschoolers and kindergarteners are our spiritual mentors today. ‘Show and Tell.’ In that order. And isn’t this what Jesus did?

One’s life and the message of that life are so intertwined as to be inseparable. It just is. This is something some have learned the hard way, one of the things we can pass along to those who follow after us. I have a feeling that when today’s young adults look back on their journey, they may be telling those who follow them, “We leaned hard on technology to tell the story. But it’s really your life that counts. Behaviors bring about change. Not technology. Who you are and the message of your life can’t be separated. Preschoolers and kindergartners are right. First ‘Show,’ then ‘Tell.’”

 

 

 

 

Where in the World is Ward?

2011

Jan 12 – ALOA Board of Directors – Simi Valley CA

Jan 13 – SoCal CASA Luncheon – Fullerton CA

Jan 31-Feb 1 – Assist International Board of Directors – Ripon CA

Feb 10 – Barnabas Breakfast – Costa Mesa CA

Mar 05 – Warm Beach Men’s Advance Conference – Stanwood WA

Apt 27 – Northwest Assemblies of God District Conference – Yakima WA

May 23-June 03 – Israel/Jordan

Aug 10-11 – Fresh Horizons 50+ Ministry Leadership Conference – Tauranga, New Zealand

Aug 18 – Fresh Horizons 50+ Ministry Leadership Conference – Caloundra QLD, Australia

Aug 19-21 Senior’s Retreat – Caloundra QLD, Australia

Sept 24 – The Intergenerational Challenge – Denver CO

Oct 18-20 Mount Hermon Fall Adult Conference – Mount Hermon CA

Nov 08 – CASA Network Board of Directors – Anaheim CA

Nov 09-11 – ILC-Anaheim – The CASA Network International 50+ Ministry Leadership Conference