Out with the Old, In with the New

IN NEWOUT OLD WITH WITH THE THE

As a pastor’s kid I hear and for justice are met with religiously veiled excuses: see the many different ways “But, doesn’t God offer second chances?” How is things “go down” in a church, it that secular government and society ware more ranging from the positive, willing to punish and hold accountable a child joyous moments when people molester than the church? Should there even be a are happy, to the negative, discussion about the outcome? sad moments when people These experiences have made me aware of an treat others like trash. All awful reality. The church is reluctant, and many these moments are present times unable, to implement meaningful change. in my mind. Naturally I only It seems as though neglect and permissive want to think about those behavior is allowed by a baptized culture positive moments, when I and those around me of toxicity. Accountability and necessary were happy, but I cannot because I remember change is viewed as secular and the behavior the moments when others were harmed and of self-interested people. The churches lack accountability was not honored, all in the name of of desire to eliminate outdated practices so divine action. These are the stories and events that resources can be devoted to new practices is drive me mad about the church. what Peter Drucker talks about in his book Churches have become Management Challenges empty shells of progress only honoring a pastime “HE WAS ALSO for the 21st Century. Successful organizations of success. When churches are presented with opportunities and ideas for meaningful growth in the future, they are THE GOD WHO TURNED MONEY need to eliminate old and inefficient practices so resources can be devoted to those which are meaningful and new. In cynical and insist upon prioritizing the ideas of TABLES OVER IN the September–October 1992 issue of the Harvard the past. These behaviors antagonize the very THE TEMPLE...” Business Review, Drucker stated, “Organizations people the church needs increasingly will have to in order to grow. While we preach the message plan abandonment rather than try to prolong of a God who spent three years on this earth the life of a successful product, policy, or changing practices and overturning the tables of practice.” This reluctance to change is what expectation, many would rather live in tradition. I believe has become the problem with many Young people are leaving the church at alarming of our churches. rates and phrases like “I know this is selfish, I believe God wants us to offer second but we cannot change” have become tokens of chances and remember our past. However he comfort in a church that claims they follow the was also the God who turned money tables over most revolutionary being to live on earth. in the temple, wrote the sins of national leaders The other behavior which frustrates me is our inability to hold others accountable for abusive behavior. I have heard too many stories of church members sexually abusing children or spouses. When their behavior is discovered and they are brought before the congregation for discipline, people are quick to make excuses and not hold them accountable for their behavior. Laws for accountability and demands issuu.com/envisionmagazine STORY BY NEHEMIAH SITLER ILLUSTRATION & DESIGN BY COURTNEY SAUNDERS in the dust of the ground, and said, “whoever ensnares one of these little ones who trust me, it would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the open sea!” (Mathew 18:6 CJB). God supports growth and eliminating outdated practices so new behaviors can flourish. I also believe he wants us to hold each other accountable when we fall short. Nehemiah Sitler is a junior communication major at Andrews University. During the summer he enjoys working at Timber Ridge Camp in Indiana. When not in school he enjoys working on his many entrepreneurial hustles and helping his community. 2021 ISSUE 12 / ENVISION / 19