Change is not easy! Most of us resist it as long as possible, whether it be some issue as important as our profession or as simple as the pew to which we are accustomed. But sometimes, altering our way of doing things is not only good, but beneficial.
The above thought occupied my mind when I happened upon the historical fact that it was on today’s date of Jan. 2 in 1941 that the U.S. government announced the Liberty Ship program in preparation for World War II. Essentially, the Liberty Ships were cargo transporters constructed very hurriedly to convey goods, armaments and other war materials quickly. Due to the innovative design of the ships and also the manner of their construction, 2,710 of them were launched in less than four years (one every two days, each averaging 30 days for construction) from 18 shipyards about the nation, of which Wilmington, North Carolina, was proudly one.
However, a major factor in their speedy building was that they were welded, and not riveted as other ships of that time. Many a maritime engineer argued against this method, admonishing that it would be inferior construction that would prove fatal. But the end result showed that the Liberty Ships and their method of assembly paid big dividends by contributing to ending the war earlier than otherwise.
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Jean-Claude Killy, the famous French Olympic skier thwarted the worldwide accepted skiing stance and took seconds off his Olympic runs. Hank Luisetti shot basketballs with one hand against the advice of his coach who was adamant that two hands were better than one. Today, all basketball players copy Luisetti’s style because he proved his innovation to be better.
If you think about it, the Bible is a rambling connection of stories in which its prime characters flaunted one conventional religious assumption after another and attempted to find God’s will in more unacceptable avenues. Paul took the Gospel to the gentiles, little David confronted giant Goliath. Nicodemus approached Jesus “after hours,†Jonah got angry with God, Moses left his preferentially treated status — I think you can see where this is going.
You simply can never know what good may result from experimenting with a novel approach. Many years ago, I was asked almost at the last moment to substitute in the pulpit of an ailing minister one Sunday morning in a very small rural church. Without a great deal of time to prepare, I hurriedly cobbled together a sermon based primarily upon the subject of this present writing. Weeks later, the pastor called to speak his appreciation but also shared with me the transformation of his church resulting from that sermon’s motivation.
Unknown to me, the small congregation had been going round and round about the need for a nursery. It was the old debate of a genuine need versus the availability of finances. Even less was I aware that the very lady who had reasoned most vocally that the congregation lacked the necessary funds had approached the pastor and actually volunteered to keep a nursery as well as help pay for it. Coincidentally, soon after the problem was solved, a young couple new to the community, along with their toddler, became a part of the membership and started a youth ministry. That program in turn attracted more families. The congregation experienced a domino-style transformation simply because one lady decided to take an innovative approach.
The beginning of this new year is an appropriate time for us all to ask ourselves, “What innovating idea can I accomplish for the Lord and His kingdom by unlocking my predisposed mind and allowing God new avenues of His will?â€
The Rev. Johnny A. Phillips
The Rev. Johnny A. Phillips is a retired minister who lives in Burke County. Email him at phillips_sue@bellsouth.net.
