Change is Vital

If there is a constant in society, it is that all societies change. Whether this change is fast or slow depends on a number of factors, as well as whether it is dangerous or safe, yet change it must. It is important to understand, however, that culture does not change itself. The locus of all change, or where the change originates, is in the minds of people within the culture. The result is that people change a culture as the need arises.

The things which provide impetus for change are varied. Revolution, war, or historical accident are all rapid change agents, whereas cultural drift, diffusion, and style may be more gradual forces encouraging change. Regardless of the speed at which change is facilitated, those who would win the world for Christ must be advocates for change to a biblical worldview. The rate of change to such a viewpoint is dependent upon the readiness for change. If individuals within a culture perceive a need, change will be faster. This explains the rapid growth of Christianity in China and most of Africa, while North Americans, with a comfortable lifestyle where many needs can be perceived as satisfied in a number of ways, languish in slow evangelism and churches find themselves losing members. This also explains the importance of being relevant to a culture. If the church is seen as irrelevant to the needs of the culture, it has little to offer.

Individual change is much easier to accomplish than cultural change. But, as mentioned above, individuals are the ones who change culture.