I've been listening to a lot of Bob Dylan lately- one prominent song that continues to play in the back of my mind is The Times They Are A-Changin'. The last verse rolls, "As the present now will later be past the order is rapidly fadin'. And the first one now will later be last for the times they are a-changin'." The words of the prophet ring true, it is happening before our eyes every day.
How does the church deal with social change? Author Len Sweet identifies 3 different ways Christians have chosen to behave in the face of the changing times.
1. Reactive--wait until change occurs before you deal with it; assume that while change is always occuring, the future will still be like the past, utilize crisis management.
2. Responsive--while change is occuring, get involved to do what you can; anticipate what is probable, and be proactive once you see the direction change is going.
3. Redemptive--get ahead of change and try and steer it; no one can escape the reactive and responsive, but learn to read the handwriting on the wall, utilizing futuring and futures research as prophetic professions.
I know how I hope to respond, what about you?
May the creativity of God be in us.
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