Faces of Change
January 1, 1997
The area was changing rapidly. How would we respond?
This area of Montana is rapidly becoming like Aspen, Colorado, a home or second home for folks who can afford to live anywhere. With fax machines and the Internet, people run international businesses out of their homes. For an area that has traditionally been a ranching community, the culture shock could not be much greater. With the rapid influx of new residents comes a clash of values-not just in the church, but in the community. Newcomers expect the amenities of suburbia. Old-timers complain that people move here to escape the city but bring the city's problems with them. The schools are struggling to keep up with enrollment. When we came to Belgrade, they had just built an addition on the middle school. Now they're building again. Dry Creek Bible Church has shifted in its make-up from rural to "rurban." We're in a country setting, but of our one hundred and twenty families, less than ten make their living from agriculture. The price in the church
We've had an influx of spiritual "rookies" who are young in their faith or don't yet have personal faith in Christ. We can no longer assume people understand church life or grasp basic biblical beliefs. We've lost some of the family feeling we once had, which used to attract people to us. As we've grown, it's become harder to provide that sense of belonging. And the growth has maxed out our facilities. Going to two services is so common, we often forget the price that comes with it. Surprisingly, our old-timers have been fairly progressive. I credit a previous pastor who paved the way with a small-group ministry and a radio program. I inherited a group of people who were ready to go. A rancher who's been with the church longer ...
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