“I should not proceed by land to the East, as is customary, but by a Westerly route, in which direction we have hitherto no certian evidence that anyone has gone.” – Christopher Columbus from his journal (1492)

Travis Stanley posted a thought on his site last week concerning “change.” I loved how he summed up his thoughts on what true change is. it isn’t found in new songs, powerpoint, or new paradigms. It is is firmly rooted in Christ’s sacrificial life. He states:

Whether we consider ourselves modern or postmodern, older or younger, traditional or liberal, sin lies not in our particular positions but in our unwillingness to be hospitable to the other position. For Christ did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking on the very nature of a servant, and became obedient to death–even death on a cross.

This is the path of ministry–the journey of the cross. If change must occur, it occurs by disciples of Christ emptying themselves of all selfish desire and seeking the needs of the other. Change occurs when we are willing to change in order to make the other comfortable. The change a minister should bring is not simply changes in forms of worship and ministry, though these may be good and necessary at times. The change that should be brought by the minister is a change of life–a change into the likeness of Christ. For if we do not look like Christ, what good does our post-modern, missional, emerging, progressive, liberal worship styles do us? If we don’t act like Christ, what good are our innovative programs and ministry styles? To form people into the image of Christ–this should be the goal of all ministry.

Yes! That is what true ministry is. It isn’t razzle dazzle. It’s real. It’s relational. It’s love.