Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Classifieds
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Classifieds

First person: Working through seasons of change

Nothing is scarier than change. Well, maybe spiders are scarier, but I digress.
  • July 18, 2025
  • Illinois Baptist
  • First Person, Illinois, Latest News
(Unsplash photo)

First person: Working through seasons of change

Nothing is scarier than change. Well, maybe spiders are scarier, but I digress.

But here is the reality we face. Change is happening all the time, whether we like it or not. The real issue isn’t whether things will change, but how we deal with the change that is inevitable. So, let’s talk about navigating change and in church life in general.

For more stories at your doorstep, subscribe to The Baptist Paper.

SIGN UP for our weekly Highlights emails that hit your inbox on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

This is a season of change at the Illinois Baptist State Association. After 20 years of service, Executive Director Nate Adams will be retiring next year. Whether we like it or not, time has continued to march on and “young Nate Adams” has become “not so young Nate Adams.” Even as you read this, IBSA has an Executive Director Search Team working hard at the task of finding the next leader for our state convention.

How should IBSA navigate this change?

What should we keep in mind as we consider the future?

Lessons on change

What are some lessons to keep in mind as we face the inevitable changes coming to our beloved organization?

Change can be helpful for organizations of all sizes. …

Change should be intentional. All churches and institutions change. Some change for the better and some change for the worse, but all organizations change. …

Our changes need to be intentional changes that help us fulfill the mission given to us by our Lord Jesus.

I may still find spiders scary, but when I think correctly about the inevitable nature of change that is coming to our association and our churches, I find change less frightening. God has worked in great ways in the history of Illinois Baptists. I am convinced that God is going to work in great ways in our future as well.

So, let’s embrace the work that God is doing. While our methods and personnel always change, our gospel never changes. The solid rock of faith in our Lord Jesus remains firm. We can trust the unchanging God in our ever-changing world.

Full article.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story, which was edited by The Baptist Paper for style and brevity, was written by Doug Munton and originally published by the Illinois Baptist. 

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Christian entertainer helps audiences clearly see power of gospel
    Christian entertainer helps audiences clearly see power of gospel
    April 11, 2026/
    0 Comments
  • First person: Today’s church and the quiet crisis
    First person: Today’s church and the quiet crisis
    April 10, 2026/
    0 Comments
  • The high cost of freedom in Iran: ‘We are ready to pay. Even with our own life.’
    The high cost of freedom in Iran: ‘We are ready to pay. Even with our own life.’
    April 10, 2026/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Christian entertainer helps audiences clearly see power of gospel

As Christian entertainer, juggler and illusionist Boston Bachert travels and performs for audiences around the country, he uses this creative ministry to showcase the truth of the gospel and the power of God at work.

First person: Today’s church and the quiet crisis

The greatest danger facing today’s church is not persecution, political pressure or cultural hostility. It is something far more subtle — and far more familiar.

The high cost of freedom in Iran: ‘We are ready to pay. Even with our own life.’

Iranians continue to suffer persecution under the authoritarian Islamic republic, with death tolls climbing and Christians facing severe legal, social, and personal consequences, according to

Artemis II update: Crew ‘returning to a planet they have cheered up’

The Artemis II crew is scheduled to return to Earth today (Friday, April 10), splashing down off the coast of San Diego, California.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • The Kids Edition
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • The Kids Edition
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2026 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe

Hi reader.
We’re a nonprofit Christian news ministry. 
Our mission is to provide grace-filled, trustworthy journalism from a Christian worldview. We make our reporting freely available online because we believe people should have access to reliable information.

Reader support helps sustain this work, offset rising costs, and allow us to continue providing affordable resources to churches and ministries. If you value this work, would you consider supporting our mission today?

Support Our Ministry

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel