Glenn Ludwig has written the following words: Paradigms are a way of envisioning, ways of understanding things. History is full of examples of people and organizations who have gotten stuck in one paradigm, one model of understanding, that they failed to grasp the significance of the new. There are several pointed examples:1. Western Union’s internal memo of 1876 concluded: “The device (the telephone) is inherently of no value to us.”
2. Decca Recording Company made one of the biggest blunders of the music industry when, in 1962, they said, “We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.” They were referring to The Beatles.
3. Gary Cooper said this about a part he rejected for a movie: “I’m just glad it will be Clark Gable who’s falling on his face and not Gary Cooper.” The part? How about the part of Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind.
4. Ken Olson, president and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, said in 1977: “There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.”
These are examples of people and organizations stuck in patterns of thinking which kept them from seeing, or hearing, or recognizing the new opportunity which was upon them. (Glenn Ludwig, Changing a Paradigm..or Two, pages 21-22). The church has been around for a long time! The 106 ritual for Confirmation says of the church, “…the church is of God and will be preserved to the end of time…” It will be preserved because the church speaks a truth that is timeless and shapes its preaching and teaching in ways that are timely. The church doesn’t always do the same thing over and over again or limits its understanding to one model of ministry, nor does it negate new ideas. The church preaches an old, old story in a new, fresh way. The church conducts its business in traditional manner, but is open to new traditions. The church constantly works to recognize the new opportunities that are before it.
Having said that, it is with sadness we wish Shane Robertson blessings as he goes to his next work. He has been with us and we have come to love him, and to appreciate his work. We will certainly miss him. Shane has provided a spark in our music and has brought laughter to our hearts as he has been part of the family. As he goes from us he goes with God. We will sorely miss him. Yet, the Church is of God and there is someone else to come and lead us in music. Who that is we do not know. Let us spend time in prayer seeking God’s direction and wisdom. Today, we thank God for Shane.
Ken