The Art of a Clean Exit

We all know in life things come and go.  We know that sometimes our life calls for a change.  In the business world, men and women leave companies to go to other companies.  This is just a part of life that people face all the time.  There are different reasons and motives for change.  Some are good and some are not so good.  However, there is a certain way one should leave a new journey and start a new one.

For arguments sake, lets say a customer of walmart decides one day they will only shop at target from now on.  This customer makes a decision that is completely their preference and is nor right nor wrong.  It is simply their choice.  Now given, leaving walmart for target is no big deal, this example is merely to help understand the concept of a clean exit.  When the customer makes the decision to leave, they then have two choices.  They can leave walmart, shop at target, and go about their business, OR they can leave walmart, shop and target, but remain in Walmarts business and continually try to cause problems with walmarts remaining customers and the employees of walmart.  In an attempt to understand, I can't help but wonder what good it would do or what satisfaction one would find in continually trying to ruin walmart.  If the customer has found a new happiness at Target, then they no longer have anything to do with walmart, or their employees.  So the real question is, is enjoying Target the answer, or is the failure of walmart really what they are after.

Lets go back to the business world.  Just because a person leaves a company to work for another does not mean they should have a goal to destroy the company they just left.  However, there is a sense of competition with certain companies and I understand that.  I understand that competition is what drives us to better ourselves in every situation.  With that said, I hope the goal is to truly better ones company, and not take down the other.

The Art of a Clean Exit.  People leave place and that is completely understandable and acceptable.  It is not wrong to disagree with something and try something else.  It is perfectly normal to want to find happiness, encouragement, and a place to belong,  If someone chooses target over walmart, the important thing is they find a sense of comfort where they are.  If a person chooses to leave a business for a new one, the important thing is they feel needed in their job and enjoy the work place.  However, as important as all those things may be, I feel there is one thing that is equally important.  It is as important that those who make an exit from a place let those who have happiness, encouragement, and a sense of belonging stay right where they are.  It is important to leave and not attempt to ruin what you left behind.  Just as it is not wrong to leave, its not wrong to stay either.

If people would choose to learn The Art of a Clean Exit, it would save a lot of heartache and pain that in the end is not necessary.   Let Walmart be walmart, and target be target, and let them serve the way they choose.  People are drawn to what they need, and it is no one else's job to sway them.  

                

The Idea of Change

Do we really want change?  This is a very broad question.  A question we most likely don't like to deal with.  A question that is hard to answer with a simple Yes or No.  However, it is a question we need to all stop and ask ourselves regularly.

Maybe the idea of change is simple.  I think "change" is less of the discussion and "selfish desires" is a better discussion to have.  We tend to be a little self centered in our thinking when it comes to change.  When a change will benefit us, we are all for it.

Example: Wendy's recently changed their Fries.  For me, this was a great change bc I like them much better.  In turn, I find myself at wendys more often than before.  However, some people might have been attached to the old fries, or just not like the new ones so they quit going all together.  

The idea of Change.  When it benefits us, we like it and and quickly look down on others stating they need to like change like we do.  Its not change we like, its "better for me" that we like.  

Now lets take this idea and put in on a larger scale.  Church.  Change in the church is a hard thing to talk about.  Its funny, bc the very people (including myself) who want change in one way, argue it in another.  I can admit that I have fallen into this category more than once.  In speaking with my youth last night, I found that even students ages 13-18 struggle with the idea of change in the church.  Such words as Tradition, or even statements of "thats how its always been" or "thats the way I was brought up" were mentioned.  I mentioned moving Wednesday night church to thursday nights to the students.  They were completely against the idea of moving Wednesday church to Thursday.  Their reasoning was simply, "Wednesday night is church night."  Change is something we all struggle with from time to time.  

Lets think about change from a different view though.  Lets take our selfish desires out and trust that God will lead us.  God may actually be calling us to CHANGE.  God may actually call us to do things different than we have ever done them before.  What we need to focus on is not the change itself, but WHY we are changing.  God calls us to love people and to share the Love of Christ with them.  Maybe change is going to open up the opportunity to reach those who do not have a relationship with Christ.

If such companies as Apple, Microsoft, or any other corporation dealing with technology were not willing to change, we would not have progressed like we have.  The idea that I can get an update of the PGA Championship or Texas Rangers baseball game on my phone was unheard not too long ago.  I am thankful for the change that has taken place.  If Martin Luther had not embraced the idea of change there would have been no Protestant Reformation.  There are so many more examples I could give of people who allowed change in their lives that brought us where we are today.  But anyone who has been part of a change would say with change we are going to experience taking a risk, and at times risk involves temporary failure.  Its important to remember, failure is not the final product, but a new beginning to the next step.

Change is everywhere in the world today. The church needs to embrace this idea instead of pushing it away.  Change is not what I, Kyle Adcock want, but should be the direction that God leads us in his timing.  

This post is not me saying to take on a specific change, but more so be open to what God has in store for every believer and every bible believing church.  We need to all be ready for the next task to reach people for him, whether it fits into our (my) desires, schedule, or anything else that might keep us tied down to old ways.  Change is what has brought us where we are today.  Think where change will take us if we allow God to be in control and follow His direction.

Atmosphere and Student ministry

I recently had someone share something very interesting with me about the atmosphere of a youth room.  A student walked in The Underground (our youth room) for the first time ever and made the statement, "this is not what I expected when walking into a church."  I have thought a lot about the idea of the "feel" when walking in a room.  That student made a decision about us within Seconds of being in the room.  The best part of all is this student has not missed a wednesday night since.  I feel that a church needs to have a feel of comfort when a person walks through the door.  A student ministry works the same way.  That night this particular student walked into a room with loud music, moving colorful lights, and students just hanging out as if it were a weekend hang out.   These students are playing games and having fun weekly in an environment that is inviting and some what "night clublish" for lack of a better phrase. The difference though from the weekend hang out or night club is what takes place once they are inside.  These students are hearing the word every week.  I feel it is important to create an atmosphere that is exciting to students and acts as a place they would want to go and hang out.  With all that said, Student ministry is constantly evolving at a rapid rate.  Just because that works today, may not mean it works tomorrow.  To be successful in student ministry, it is important to meet these students where they are and bring them along.  Student ministry is completely different from when I was there and I have only been out 10 years.  The way our generation was ministered to is not an option for todays teens.  Student ministry is constantly changing, but the STORY stays the same.  An atmosphere that gets there attention and draws them in so they can here that God sent his son to die on the cross for their sins.    

Students and Church

Studies show 60-80% of Students drop out of church after high school graduation.  The best thing a parent can do during their middle school and high school years is keep these students involved in church.  As much as we love sports and extra curricular activities, building a relationship with Jesus Christ and fellowshipping with a body of believers is far more important.  Parents, I encourage you to keep your students involved in church regularly. I also encourage you to set the example for your students and be a part of what is going on at church.  Going to church is not what makes you a Christian, but it does provide a place and time to meet with God and fellowship with other believers.  Parents are in control of their students decision to attend, and no excuse is great enough to miss out on what God can do in their lives even as teenagers.