Change is scary! Change makes us feel vulnerable and at time causes us to feel like we have lost control. In fact, there is are a couple different physiological terms to describe the fear of change. One of those terms is metathesiophobia , phobia that “causes people to avoid changing their circumstances due to being extremely afraid of the unknown”. Many times we will not change spiritually because we are afraid of the unknown. Yet, Christianity is all about change!
It is for this reason (and others) that we set our theme as “Changed” for 2023. As a church we want to emphasize the need for individual and congregational change. We are not supposed to be the same people we were 1 year ago, let alone 20. Paul in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians writes:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
What does it mean to live a changed life? The answer to that question may be different for everyone, but a truly changed person is always looking for ways to mold and shape their lives into the person and character of Jesus.