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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
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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.

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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. 

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