New Church Life Jan/Feb 2014 | Page 8

new church life: jan uary / february 201 4 was given at the culmination of his intellectual development and the dawn of his spiritual awakening. He had discovered great things as a scientist, but, recognizing that scientists tend to give undue weight to their own discoveries, he chose, as a matter of principle, to concentrate on the discoveries of others rather than his own, in forming his scientific understanding of the world. It was his victory over his pride of self-intelligence, and his willingness to submit the natural knowledge he had gained in such abundance to the winnowing and ordering influence of Divine truth, that made it possible for him to step into the role of revelator. Influenced by Swedenborg? Not him. As the “servant of the Lord Jesus Christ,” as he identified himself on the title page of the True Christian Religion, he was inspired by only one Spirit, one Master – solemnly testifying that from the first day of his call, “I have not received anything whatever pertaining to the doctrines of that church from any angel, but from the Lord alone while I have read the Word.” (True Christian Religion 779) (WEO) life and the church Change is ever roiling the world – never more intensely than it is today. But as the late great college basketball coach and sage John Wooden was fond of counseling: “All progress is change – but not all change is progress.” Our attitudes and values are constantly challenged by shifting and “evolving” views – from doctrine and science to political correctness and “the new normal.” The world seems adrift without moral or spiritual compass. Even the Church is not immune. When and how to change – and progress – is the challenge. And everyone has opinions. The General Church has been changing and evolving since its inception – not in basic doctrines but in practices. Church services are generally less formal and there is greater variety, from traditional to contemporary. For many years no one even considered allowing women on church boards. Now we would not have a board or council without women. Technology is changing the way we reach out to people. Attitudes are dividing on emerging issues. The pressure for change is intensifying, and with that pressure comes a fundamental choice: where to bend, where to stand firm. To evangelize and grow the Church we must be able to adapt and accommodate to people’s needs, without compromising on doctrine and principles. In responding to pressures for change, we must strive always to be led by the Lord. But we are left in freedom, and reading of doctrine is open to interpretation and personal inclinations, so keeping the Church true to itself while satisfying both clergy 4