Matthew Penny     Sept. 1997

Change is coming  - it's inevitable.
                             What will be the cataclysm that finally brings it about?
 

      .....In the days of Jesus, the officials tried hard to keep a lid on changes that would upset the status quo and make life for them more difficult under the rule of Roman law.  There is an old saying, that the known, no matter how bad, is sometimes more comfortable than the unknown, no matter how great the potential.  Changes comes and when it does, there will always be the folk caught unawares. Jesus warned of that too,  saying that the kingdom might just comes a thief in the night, when you are least ready, or least suspect it.

       Evolutionists today say that evolutionary change is not likely ever to have been gradual, but cataclysmic.  A meteor from space does not change the earth gradually, but rather in a few seconds.  Many species die, but some - those with
fur -  suddenly become strong in the cold climate.

As the astronauts on space-station Mir found out, one little faux pas of the supply ship can make quite a few changes in seconds.

       Revolutions are often quick, bloody and decisive.  Seldom is there any going back: one part of the equation has to leave, one way or
another.  The Gospel record is full of people who change their lives immediately at the call of Christ.
 

.....I truly wonder what this church will be like in the year 2001.  We don't know  what ministry means, we have debatable ethical standards,
declining membership and disastrous finances.  The question is begged: What will be the cataclysmic event that changes this church and gives it
direction?  Sooner or late the challenges we face will become life-changing crises that have to be dealt with.

     Sooner than 2001 we are going to have nomoney, few people and a lot of empty buildings. Soon, there will be the need to ask just what a
United Church of Canada is, when the country is being fractured into enclaves which have little interest in  the well-being of other enclaves.....

United Church of Canada Observer Article