By: Rev. Steve Zimmerman
Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Living on a minister’s salary for almost 40 years, I have done my best to try to keep things running as best I can because I just can’t go out and get any new thing at the drop of a hat. Of course, I could have gotten some of my penny pinching from my heredity, but that is another story for another day! Either way our bank account reflects that we are not rolling in the “dough” with a bunch of numbers followed by a lot of zeros. Sadly, much of our green these days is pollen!
However, in the last few weeks, I have had to bite the bullet and modernize some of my stuff. My “ancient” Samsung S8+ cell phone has been exchanged for a new Samsung S25+. I am so glad to have one of our daughters around helping me figure out these new bells and whistles on this gadget! Last week one of my hubcaps came off here in town. I didn’t do the old-fashioned method and go to the local auto store to buy a new one. Instead, with help from the same daughter, I ordered the part online with eBay. Today I am the proud owner of a bright new shiny replacement! Now if I could just figure out how to improve the chances for a newer car rather than driving my old 2005 Toyota Camry with 340,000 miles!
Over the past few months some Virginia pastors and church leaders have gotten upgrades, too. Through our partnership with the Baptist General Association of Virginia over 225 people improved their leadership skills while attending six training events across the Southside and Southwest regions of the state. We are finding that people still want training that is relevant and meaningful to them so that they can be the best that they can be as they lead their church forward.
All this activity got me to think about how we need to respond to God in our relationship to Him as well. In this pre-Easter season the primary focus usually is what we need to give up for Lent. Maybe our attention needs to be directed toward how we could upgrade ourselves or as Paul refers to it – “be transformed by the renewing”.
How might God be asking you to be renewed to a more rewarding spiritual experience? There is a good chance the old is not working well anyway. Keeping the antiquated and outdated doesn’t benefit you or anyone else. What might God be calling you do and be as a church member to become a true leader? Where might God be asking your church to share more of his grace and mercy, not only with each other, but with those you need to serve in your community and world?
If I live long enough, there is a good chance I will have to upgrade some more of my things to keep up with the times. Yet what a shame it would be if you and I don’t take the time today to renew ourselves in our living, doing and being with God and each other.
These thoughts above are from Rev. Steve Zimmerman, the founding partner in the ministry. He works alongside churches in their mission process and small group dynamics. He coordinates the work of the partnership out of Martinsville, Virginia. Contact him for more information about how he can help you.