I think our churches often set the “bar too low”. If you aren’t’ familiar with that term, the idea is that when you set the bar too low, even if you accomplish the task, there is so little challenge presented that very little change actually takes place even when you are successful.Our churches today have created lots of opportunities for people to improve themselves. Often these are what would be considered “self-improvement” opportunities. This is not something that is a characteristic solely of the mega-church as many if not most of our churches today have opportunities for “getting out of debt” or “using your spiritual gifts” or “becoming a better parent/spouse/leader” etc.
While these opportunities are likely welcome and popular (hence the reason they are offered), they do make it seem like becoming a Christian is about “small change” or become a better person little by little. Some of the self-improvement opportunities may be fine but we need to challenge people to become what God really desires...something like: to love justice, to do mercy and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8)
The bible doesn't talk about incremental changes but radical transformation. In Romans 12:2, Paul writes, ‘Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Jesus never expected small change….Jesus was into full commitment and radical transformation.
