“Change is the only constant in life…” — Benjamin Franklin

What do you think about the above quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin?

What kind of mental pictures and thoughts capture your attention at the idea of change?

How does the thought of change impact you on the emotional and spiritual level?

Change…no doubt, it is a reality in everyone’s life. It’s unavoidable; it’s impact can truly be life changing and life altering.

Change stirs the emotions of love, joy, happiness, excitement, gratefulness, and hope. However, it also can touch and stir up emotions of fear, anger, resentment, hopelessness, and anxiety.

I cannot help but think over my life and reflect on the multitude of changes that have impacted my life. I have memories of events throughout my life and how they have changed.

This year marks my 70^th year of life and 49^th year since I was ordained into ministry. Any changes there? My grandchildren marvel when I share my “when I was your age” stories and they discover that some of the things they have grown up with didn’t exist “then.”

The nature and challenges of the church and ministry have changed radically. Unfortunately, not all of the changes have been for the better. We live in a world that is seeking to push the church, God, theology, the Bible, and the very definition of “right,” “wrong,” and “faith” into a world shaped bottle. And we are feeling the pressure.

In a way, many of us feel that we are nothing more than “collateral damage” and out of control when it comes to finding and determining our own way. We feel that we are unwilling participants to Franklin’s observation that change is the only constant we have…

We are pushed into the corner and confronted by the attitude expressed by Alan Watts , “The only way to make sense our of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”

Dr. Wayne Dyer expressed his philosophy thusly, 

“Look upon every experience you’ve ever had, and everyone who’s ever played any role in your life, as having been sent to you for your benefit. In this universe, which was created by a divine, organizing intelligence, there are simply no accidents.”

In his book, Your Erroneous Zones (©1976 – Avon Books), his advice was, “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.”

So, is that it? Are we simply powerless victims to change? It is true that change is the only constant in life?

Have you ever heard of a guy by the name of Jesus? He did some really awesome things. He was born of a virgin, lived a perfect and sinless life, went to a cross and was sacrificed on our behalf, shedding his blood and dying so we might receive ultimate forgiveness and the right to become the sons and daughters of God by adoption.

He was placed in a borrowed tomb where his body laid for three days and rose again victorious over sin, death, and hell.

He calls us, as his followers, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love our neighbor (the people in the world) the same way he loves us.

He commissioned his followers to engage the world in which we live, share his message of salvation and make disciples of every nation while teaching them by word and example what it means to be a follower and disciple of Jesus.

He ascended to heaven with the promise that he would return and gather his church to himself for eternity.

Here’s the kicker – not too theological, I know, but – everything I have just shared with you is unchanging and constant, untouched by the world and unphased by those who would oppose him and his truth.

How do I know? Ever read Hebrews 13:8? If not, here it is:

“JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER.”

Years ago, when I was early in my ministry, I was helping one of the church trustees repair a broken waterline at the parsonage (remember those?). As we were working, brother Alva looked me in the eye and asked, “Preacher, did you ever plow a field using a horse?”

“What kind of a question is that?” I thought to myself, he knows I grew up in the city.

He also knew that I was green as a gourd, young, inexperienced, and (dare I say) full of myself. He was setting me up to hopefully teach his young pastor something he needed to learn.

“No, of course not, have you?” What a stupid thing to say! I knew better but the words came out before I could catch them and stuff them back into my throat.

Alva, unphased responded, with a twinkle in his eye, “You familiar with Luke 9:62 where Jesus said that anyone who puts his hand to the plow and looks back isn’t fit for the kingdom of God? Do you know why that was important?”

I just stood there, positive he was going to tell me whether I wanted him to or not.

“When a farmer plowed a field with oxen or horse the only way he could keep his row straight was to focus on an immovable object. He had to keep his eyes fixed on that object. If, at any time, he looked back to see how straight his row was, his plow would go crooked every time.”

“I didn’t know that.” I responded.

“Preacher, the only way to keep your life movin’ forward and plow a straight row is to keep your eyes firmly fixed on the immovable object. That immovable object is Jesus. Don’t ever take your eyes off of him!”

I wish I would have taken Brother Alva’s words more seriously and recognized the wisdom he desired to share with me back then. I would have soaked up every moment with him.

Fortunately, there was enough of that conversation that planted itself in my heart that one day it took root and bloomed. Someday, I’m going to have the opportunity to thank him for seeing something in a young preacher that caused him to share some of his country wisdom and biblical understanding.

Change? Yeah, it’s all around us. Some we can impact, some we can’t. But we can take comfort that change is not the only constant we have in our world and life.

We have an unchanging Savior whose promises, truths, and presence can never be diminished by any change this world throws our way.

About the Author: Danny Risinger is the pastor of Mount Pleasant General Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, Indiana. He recently celebrated 51 years of marriage to his wife Shirley, and 48 years of being an ordained minister. He is a graduate of Oakland City College and Newburgh Theological Seminary.

If you haven’t listened to Season 3 Episode 1 of the “Doing Together” podcast, I encourage you to do that. In the podcast, Dr. Danny Dunivan and Mark Powell discuss some of the topics I reference in this blog, including missions being central in General Baptist theology. In the words of Dr. Dunivan at the end of each episode, “If you haven’t already done so, I want to invite you to subscribe to the podcast on whatever platform you use to access our content.”

Our movement’s founder, Benoni Stinson, had two primary tenants: 1. Christ tasted death for every man; 2. Believers should be in fellowship despite differences.

Benoni’s two tenants lay the foundation for why we should be involved in missions: love everyone and partner with everyone.

It is that simple. However, it is not that easy. There are organizational structures, personalities, and preferences to navigate. I have three phrases I use to help explain missions in churches: “Container Dictates Content”, “Diagonal Relationships”, and “Here, you solve the problem”. In today’s blog, I focus on “Container Dictates Content”. Here are brief definitions for the other two:

“Diagonal Relationships” – People may be different, but when they have shared goals or projects, they can work together to accomplish things other people cannot.

“Here, you solve the problem” – If we simply give money, then we tell someone else to do our job from the Great Commission. When we give our hearts and full support, we go emotionally and relationally even if we physically stay.

“Container Dictates Content”

This concept can be applied in most areas of our lives. It can be an abstract concept, so here is a brief definition: The structure of something can either increase or limit the effectiveness of the message. Let me elaborate.

As an educator, I focus my classroom on trust. There needs to be trust in the classroom; that is the “container”. If there is not trust, then it does not matter what “content” I put in my lectures because the students will not get it. This concept is true with most things: if I yell at my tennis students (container), then they may miss what I tell them to do to improve their games (content); if Water the Dog and I go to a church to talk about clean water projects but the church never focuses on missions any other time (container), then the congregants may miss how they can help in a practical way (content). 

For your church in missions, “Container Dictates Content” rings true for “how” your church should be involved in missions. For example, you get discouraged or frustrated when people do not get involved financially, prayerfully, or relationally, even after you or a guest missionary preach about loving the community and world. Did your people not catch the content? I would suggest it could be your church’s “container” dictated the “content” your people heard.

I encourage you to look at your “container”. Do congregants give to missions, or do they pass that responsibility to the organization? If your church budget gives to missions, then your “container” might suggest it is the organization’s responsibility to help. As a result, individuals and families may not hear the “content” that they need to have active roles as participants in local or global missions.

Is your church regularly focused on looking at and loving people (out) for the glory of God (up)? If not, then your “container” has not set a proper foundation. Then, when you preach a message, have a missionary speak, or even go on a mission trip, your people do not have a “container” to catch the “content” you are trying to give them.

As a church, it is our responsibility to equip saints. In education, we use the phrase “empowerment”. I can tell students everything they need to be empowered, but it is the students’ responsibility to grab that empowerment. However, it is my responsibility to create an environment where they are confident enough to grab that empowerment. The same is true for your church: create the “container” that increases the effectiveness of your “content”.

Why should General Baptists be involved in missions? It is in our DNA. Why should churches be involved in missions? Because it is a heart thing, and that is what the local church is all about: “Repent and Believe” (Mark 1:15). Our “containers” should promote “Repent and Believe” in the individual rather than the organization. “Repent and Believe” should be the mindset of the organization, but it should be the heartbeat of the individual.

About the Author: Mat Murphy has many titles and does many tasks, but all of them point to why he does them: empower people to realize they have value from and for Jesus. That includes empowering people locally to make a difference globally AND empowering people globally to appreciate and value their locally.

In the bustling world of ministry, as pastors and church leaders, it’s easy to find ourselves swept away by the demands of our roles. From sermon preparations to counseling sessions, community outreach, and administrative tasks, our days are often filled to the brim. In the midst of these responsibilities, we sometimes lose sight of what truly sustains us: our relationship with Jesus and the precious moments we share with our loved ones.

Consider the story of Martha and Mary, a narrative that resonates deeply with many of us. Martha, well-intentioned and diligent, found herself preoccupied with the details of serving, bustling about the house to ensure everything was just right for Jesus. It was a noble endeavor, yet in her flurry of activity, she missed out on the most significant part—being present with the Lord. How often do we, too, find ourselves trapped in the Martha mindset, so engrossed in our tasks that we forget the essence of our ministry?

As I reflect on my own journey in ministry, I’ve often found myself teetering on the edge of burnout, trying to do it all. It wasn’t until I took a personal inventory of my time that I realized the imbalance. I discovered that while I was fervently serving others, my personal time with Jesus was becoming a rushed affair, and moments with my family were unintentionally fleeting.

One of the fundamental shifts I made was prioritizing my time with Jesus. I started small, dedicating a few minutes every morning to prayer and Scripture reading. Over time, these moments grew, becoming a cherished anchor in my day. These quiet moments of communion allowed me to draw strength, wisdom, and inspiration from the One who called me to this ministry in the first place.

In our hyper-connected world, distractions are aplenty. I found solace in creating sacred spaces—moments of solitude free from the buzz of notifications and emails. It was in these moments that I could truly listen to God’s voice, allowing His guidance to permeate my decisions and sermons. Distractions diminished, and my focus on Him became unwavering.

Yet, finding balance isn’t only about our spiritual life—it’s also about nurturing our relationships. The people we love, our spouses, children, and friends, deserve our undivided attention. One practical step I took was instituting ‘device-free dinners.’ During these times, phones were set aside, and genuine conversations flourished.

I also learned the profound impact of being fully present. When I am with my family, I strive to be all there—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In these moments, I discovered the beauty of genuine connection. Quality time, whether a shared hobby or a heartfelt conversation, strengthened the bonds that sometimes felt strained due to the demands of ministry.

This transformative journey of balancing ministry, personal spiritual life, and relationships didn’t happen overnight. It was a conscious decision, a daily commitment to align my priorities with what truly matters. As pastors and church leaders, finding this balance is not just a gift to ourselves but a testimony to those we lead. When they see us thriving in our walk with God and in our relationships, it inspires and encourages them to seek similar balance in their lives.

In the tapestry of ministry, the threads of our personal relationship with Jesus and the bonds we share with our loved ones are irreplaceable. Let us learn from Martha’s earnestness but also from Mary’s wisdom—to sit at the feet of Jesus and to be present with our nearest and dearest. In finding this equilibrium, we not only enrich our lives but also impart a profound lesson to our congregations—the lesson of a balanced, Christ-centered life, where love, both divine and human, reigns supreme.

Questions for Reflection:

How do you personally handle distractions in your ministry or daily life?

Are there specific practices or habits that help you maintain a sense of balance?

Can you share a story of a moment when intentional presence made a significant difference in your ministry or personal life?

What advice would you offer to fellow pastors, church leaders, or ministry workers who are struggling to find balance in their busy lives?

We look forward to hearing your insights and experiences in the comments below!

About the Author: Brent Wernsing the the founding pastor of Kairos Church in Winter Haven, Florida. He has been serving in ministry for over 16 years. He is married to Christine, they currently have 8 children with another due in March of 2024. Pastor Brent has a heart for foster care and adoption. With almost an equal amount of passion for coffee.