Matthew 9:14–17 – 14 One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, “Why don’t your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?” 15 Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 “Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. 17 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.” (New Living Translation)

In What Context Are We Defining ‘Change?’

▸ Change is doing what is ________________________ to be _____________________ to an unbelieving world

How Do We Know If We’re Willing to Change?

1. Are we a church that:

□ Constantly changes, or;

□ Do we resist and refuse to change

2. Are we a church that:

□ Loves to try, or;

□ Do we feel we don’t have to

3. Are we a church that:

□ Has children and youth who are noisy, messy, and can’t be still, or;

□ Are we very quiet

4. Are we a church that:

□ Needs money and take many special offerings, or;

□ Do we focus on our savings

5. Are we a church that:

□ Moves in faith, or;

□ Do we have to see it first

6. Are we a church that:

□ Makes mistakes and learns, or;

□ Do we have clean stalls

7. Are we a church that:

□ Is filled with givers and doers, or;

□ Do we have tippers and dippers

Characteristics of a Stagnant Church

▸ Loss of passion for _____________________

▸ Loss of enthusiasm for ________________________

▸ Loss of motivation for _____________________

▸ Loss of “wow” in _____________________

▸ Loss of “____ – __________ – _______” with the Lord

Tips for Getting Through the Intersection

1. Stop at the intersection

2. Look for incoming traffic

3. Look behind you

4. Look ahead

5. Look beside you

6. Don’t cross alone

7. Don’t run

8. Proceed with caution, but proceed