Are We Becoming Dinosaurs or Disciples?
Are we leading people toward Comfort—or the Future?
“The typical twentieth-century organization has not operated well in a rapidly changing environment… the standard organization of the twentieth century will likely become a dinosaur.”
— John P. Kotter, Leading Change
Change is no longer an occasional visitor—it’s the air we breathe. But for many churches, especially those shaped by twentieth-century structures and expectations, that reality feels more like a threat than a gift. We keep doing what we’ve always done, even when it no longer works. We manage ministries instead of reimagining them. We organize our governance around what made sense decades ago, not what fosters connection and growth today.
So we slowly fossilize—layer by layer, tradition by tradition—becoming institutions of preservation rather than communities of transformation. It’s not because we lack faith. Often, it’s because we’ve confused familiarity with faithfulness.
But the Gospel isn’t about preservation. It’s about resurrection. About movement. About the courage to leave old nets behind and follow Christ into an unknown future. If we want to be faithful in the twenty-first century, we need to face an uncomfortable question:
Are we becoming dinosaurs—or disciples?
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Swords into Plowshares: A Pastoral Reflection on Peace Amid Conflict
In the wake of distressing news from the Middle East, many of us are feeling grief, anger, and confusion. As a pastor, I write with a heavy heart, holding our collective sorrow and hope.
On June 21, 2025, the United States carried out airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. While opinions on this conflict vary, our shared humanity compels us to lament the violence and seek God’s guidance. We worship a relational, love-centered God who is present with all who suffer.
In this moment of crisis, we mourn with those who mourn, remembering that every casualty has a name, a family, a story precious to God. We also affirm that God’s heart is for reconciliation and peace, even when war seems to have the upper hand. As disciples of the Prince of Peace, how do we respond? With honesty, with compassion, and with a hope that refuses to let violence have the final word.
Even global faith leaders have reminded us that war is never a true solution. Pope Leo XIV recently implored, “Let diplomacy silence the weapons. Let nations chart their future with works of peace, not with violence and bloody conflicts!” He warned, “War does not solve problems, but rather it amplifies them… No armed victory can compensate for the pain of mothers, the fear of children, the stolen future.”
These words resonate deeply. They echo the cry of the prophets and the teachings of Jesus, calling us to break the cycles of hatred. In that spirit, let us gently explore the context of this conflict and seek a faithful, peace-rooted response.
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