Changeaphobia: Not Just a Church Thing

Q: How many Lutherans does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: 4. 1 to change the lightbulb, and 3 to talk about how they missed the old one.

This is the classic joke on change in the church, which is often the place where folks bemoan the stubbornness of humanity. Although, we in the church do enjoy our traditions and familiarities, the church is- by no means- the end all of resistance to change.

Consider the case of Michigan State University's plan to change the Athletic Department's Spartan logo. Articles have been written, cases have been made, talk show hosts have fielded hundreds of calls, protests are in the works, and genuine anger is swirling around the change.

I have no vested interest in the Spartan logo, so none of this discussion means anything to me. But it's hard to miss the angst. The conversation has been brewing for weeks, and in an announcement this morning (Friday, Feb. 5), MSU AD Mark Hollis said, "The recent disclosure of an updated Spartan logo from a trademark registration process has resulted in a flurry of concern and discontentment among some of our students, alumni and fans", and as a result, they have halted the change... for now.

What radical change was in the works? Check out the change below. The current logo is on the left. The proposed logo is on the right:

 Yes, the unmitigated gall! The scoundrels!

Really?

Indeed, change is not easy or comfortable, and not always necessary or appropriate. But clearly, the church is not the only institution that embraces tradition.

We can change carpet color, hymnals, bible translations, technology, and personnel... but usually not without a challenge.

But in the end, what the church has that other institutions do not, is the gold standard: Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). No matter the time, era, eon... no matter the place, circumstance, situation, one thing never changes: God's love for you, demonstrated in the person of His Son, Jesus. He loved you as deeply now as He did in the footsteps leading to Calvary.

This love... never changes.