At Last, I’m a Change Agent

Posted on August 12, 2008 by Jay F Guin

The Answering the Church of Christ blog has me listed under “Change Agents,” which is the highlight of my day. I think it’s meant as a compliment, which is great, as co-opting the term as complimentary is altogether good. I mean, I really am pushing for change. I’m glad someone noticed.

The above poster can be purchased here.

About Jay F Guin

My name is Jay Guin, and I’m a retired elder. I wrote The Holy Spirit and Revolutionary Grace about 18 years ago. I’ve spoken at the Pepperdine, Lipscomb, ACU, Harding, and Tulsa lectureships and at ElderLink. My wife’s name is Denise, and I have four sons, Chris, Jonathan, Tyler, and Philip. I have two grandchildren. And I practice law.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

6 Responses to At Last, I’m a Change Agent

  1. Tim Archer says:
    August 13, 2008 at 2:45 am

    Hey, congrats! A little recognition goes a long way.

    Have you ever thought how change it would be for a Christian to not be a change agent? If Christianity isn't about change, what is it about?

    Grace and peace,
    Tim

  2. Jay Guin says:
    August 13, 2008 at 2:15 pm

    Tim,

    That's exactly right. We'll only stop changing when we are truly perfect — or we think we're perfect.

  3. Pat says:
    August 13, 2008 at 3:29 pm

    Life itself is change. There can be no growth without change. Why do some fear it so? Would it not be true that in the living world that which does not grow/change will stagnate? I was once on the hot seat with the leaders in my church about some truths I had learned and was sharing with a group of ladies in a class setting. In an ensuing discussion about such matters I asked my preacher if he understood all there was to know about the Bible. Unbelievably, he told me that he did. This man went to that length to say that rather than admit that there might be some room for him to grow ~ and hence change. That's how much he feared it. I expressed my amazement at his great knowledge.

  4. David says:
    August 13, 2008 at 5:18 pm

    Pat,

    I've been a member of the church for 50 years and I have met people like your minister. I really despise labels being put on people as it is usually meant to be taken as an insult. I've never considered myself a "change agent' even though my opinions have changed throughout the years as I come to a better understanding of God's word.

    I'm not looking for a more liberal interpertation or a more conservative one. I am searching the scriptures daily to try to increase my knowledge and understanding. If that means that I have to change my way of thinking at times based on what I've learned from the Bible then so be it. What is so sad is that so many in the Lord's church are afraid to even engage in a civil conversation regarding the issues.

    I really do feel sorry for people like your minister. Not only do they not fully partake in the joys of being a child of God they are hindering others from doing so. I truly hope God touches their hearts and helps them to come to better understand His word.

  5. Helez says:
    August 18, 2008 at 12:25 pm

    "I’m not looking for a more liberal interpertation or a more conservative one. I am searching the scriptures daily to try to increase my knowledge and understanding. If that means that I have to change my way of thinking at times based on what I’ve learned from the Bible then so be it. What is so sad is that so many in the Lord’s church are afraid to even engage in a civil conversation regarding the issues."

    AMEN! Change isn't universally good or bad, but needs to be made rightly in accordance with the will of God. People who want change for the sake of some perverse "shock value "are just as sinful as those who use "conservatism" as a means of self-gratifying control, or those who feel empowered by converting people to their point of view.

    To me, it seems that there isn't so much an overt opposition to change within our tradition as there is an attitude of "we have this figured out". Furthermore, to make matters worse, if "knowing" something shuts the doors, lack of Biblical study skills and critical thinking skills most often buries them in cement. That might sound offensive, but I don't find ignorance (in myself or anyone else) to be offensive… just a challenge to be met. What I wish I had was a solution.

    I am afraid for the future of Christendom… and it isn't because we aren't teaching enough concordance style studies or having people memorize and parrot tracts. It isn't because of the "change agents" (the good ones or the bad ones), who come and go with the seasons. What concerns me is that we don't seem to be very good at teaching people how to reason for themselves!

  6. Pingback: How to Argue Like a Christian: Nomenclature « One In Jesus.info

Comments are closed.