Current Blessing Magazine
A Publication of Gospel Crusade Ministerial Fellowship

Focus Articles

Change Is Coming

Decades ago British politician Harold Wilson spoke these words to his country as a challenge to change: “He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.”  It is easy to see the truth in this observation; the difficult question is how each of us should respond to it.

Getting together with old friends reminiscing about how things were done in the good old days can bring laughter and joy to our conversations, but unfortunately it is human tendency to hold on to those methods, comforts, and positions associated with years past. Many leaders talk about releasing next generation leadership; few enthusiastically do it.  Leaders know that with every emerging leader comes the possibility of ending the way things are being done. Once upon a time farmers plowed their fields with horse or mule teams, but with the invention of the tractor that method became obsolete. Is this to suggest that mules and horses are useless?  No, they still have great value, but the season for plowing with them has come to an end.

The Word of God and the message of the Kingdom of Heaven will remain the same; however, the way in which we communicate or teach its truths must vary to reach the people groups we target with the gospel. As a boy, I can recall attending many week-long revival meetings. But in society today young families with children have schedules and commitments far different than families a generation ago and those types of meetings are generally ineffective. Leaders can react either by complaining about lack of commitment to the church and the Lord, or choose to find new methods to impact their changing culture.  

We should recognize that the number of meetings per week, worship service duration, and similar issues are measurements not directly related to spiritual quality. The manner that we conduct a worship service or the style of music or preaching we prefer is not sacred.  We can easily recognize that the ministry and leadership of Jesus were not controlled by a single form or style. He did not do the same thing the same way at every ministry event, and we would benefit by understanding, as Jesus did, that truth is truth however it is presented.  The method and style of communication should be shaped by the cultural characteristics of those we want to impact.

An important issue for our GCMF churches is the preparation of young men and women as they seek to follow God’s call to ministry—it is quite different than decades past.  In our Pentecostal tradition, oftentime formal education wasn’t viewed as necessary or beneficial.  Today, it is difficult to gain credibility as a leader and minister without a period of formal education and mentoring. In every corner of our society and economy, from carpenter to hairdresser to office worker, employers seek individuals that have completed formal training and have practical experience.  In the Kingdom of God education will never take the place of God’s call and anointing, but it will enhance Biblical insight and broaden an understanding about leading people and ministry organizations.

As president and lead apostle of GCMF, I have a responsibility to wrestle with the issues associated with effective church ministry, preparing and educating next generation ministers, and inspiring our members as they preach the Kingdom of God in their corner of the world.  Over the past several months I have been encouraged to see God’s hand providing GCMF with significant new opportunities to respond to the mission God has given this ministry, and I look forward to sharing more details as events unfold.

A quote from Saint Augustine may say it best: “If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are.  For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, and keep advancing.”

Gospel Crusade Ministerial Fellowship is advancing into the future and exciting new ventures and ministry methods are just around the corner.  Change is coming.

Eugene Weaver