Change is here to stay?

The Obama campaign used the need for change as its main appeal. It was therefore a little ironic to hear a Republican commentator stating that as he looked around the Republican's final gathering that night he could not help noticing that the average age was high and that he could not see one black face. "If we are to survive," he said, "We will have to change".

That has so many echoes for UK inherited churches in rural areas. The appeal (in as much as it does actually appeal to anyone) is usually to an older white person. Of course, minority ethnic groups are not to be found in great numbers in rural areas, but the mono-culture nature of so many of our churches and high average age should cause concern. Added to that, the average size is small, many have been seriously declining, and the cost of maintaining buildings and ministry is now a heavy burden. But is there readiness to change?

Someone once said that the only people group that always welcomes change is wet babies! That might be funny but it expresses an important aspect regarding change: it is far easier for change to happen once the status quo has become uncomfortable. My fear is that rather like lobsters in a slowly warming pot of hot water, we are already soporific and fail to be awakened to the need for change.

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