We get copies of a couple Church of Christ (CoC) "journals" at the church address. I generally look at the table of contents, feel my blood pressure rise, and pitch them. One time, however, I wrote the editor of one of the "journals" a personal note because I took exception with the tone of the issue. I received a curt reply back which blew off my original concern under the guise of labeling me a "change agent."

(For those of you who are not familiar with CoC tradition, "change agent" is a derogatory term used by ultra-conservative members to label another member for the purpose of writing off their opinion and, often, the person him- or herself.)

As I reflected on this, I had to agree with the editor--I AM a change agent. I want to change. I want things to change. I want people to change. I want the church to change. Isn't this the goal of our salvation--that we would be transformed (changed) from something old into something new?

I know the labelers would say I'm being ridiculous. For them, the bible lays down a clear pattern that exists for the church for all time. This includes the 5 Acts of Worship, the 5 Steps to Salvation, etc. To that, I say ridiculous.

The bible exists for one reason only--to tell us the story of God (not ourselves) so that we will become so wrapped up in God's story that our lives are turned (changed) completely upside down so that we live by and for God's values. Any approach to the bible that makes it about anything else creates an idol out of the bible.

Yes, the bible is an idol for us when we scour it for all the answers on everything, from patterns the church "must" replicate to answers about science.

So I want to change this approach to the bible and Christianity. I want to change so that people focus on Jesus and God's story, not on patterns imposed on them from the outside.

I want to change the way we "do church" so that people find life instead of law when they come to worship God.

I want to change so that people grow in their knowledge OF God rather than their knowledge about God.

If these desires make me a "change agent," then I'm proud to wear that label. I do want to change. And I want you to change. After all, isn't that what Jesus' call to repentance is all about?