Long-time church consultant and renowned author Lyle E. Schaller has said, "Discontent is the essential foundation for planned change initiated from within any organization." Before a church or Christian fellowship can change for the better, there needs to be a "holy discontent" with the status quo. If everyone is satisfied with the way things are, or even if they are merely able to put with the situation, constructive change is unlikely.
Jesus was not content with the status quo. He was notorious for disturbing the peace. Wherever he went, prevalent ideologies and worldviews were questioned, individuals became conscious of their own limitations, religious and secular institutions were challenged.
Today, the tendency of many of Christ's disciples is to be too content with the way things are, to mistake an uneasy truce with the world's values for genuine peace. But how can we invite people to a life-transforming relationship with Christ without acknowledging that such a decision will shake the foundations of who they are? And if the gospel is not still shaking us at the foundations, we might wonder if our own peace needs spiritual disturbing again.
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