Monday FBC hosted the annual MLK Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, with several hundred people in attendance. I jotted down a couple of comments made by the keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Monroe, who is the Presiding Prelate of the South Atlantic Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

After briefly recognizing the progress that has been made in our nation regarding race relations he posited that “what matters most is what happens next.” He was challenging us to think about the next steps we need to take individually and collectively to continue making progress. He added “there is always a next.” Progress is always possible because in this life we’ll never reach perfection.

He said that “to move forward, we must leave certain things behind us. We must adjust to the new place…the new experiences that are part of what happens next. To receive what is next, we have to embrace change.”

I think his comments were accurate.

While he was speaking of our ability to treat other people better, especially those of a different race, his words are also accurate when applied to practically any aspect of our personal lives where growth is important. Making progress in any part of my life requires moving from where I am to where I need to be…leaving where I am in order to reach God’s “next”…embracing change so I can become the better me.

This principle is true in our personal lives and it also true when applied to our growth as a church.

It’s easy for us to feel good because of the progress we’ve already made, and we should…but it is also true that yesterday’s growth does not exempt us from today’s need for growth. Neither does today’s growth excuse us from growing tomorrow.

Growth always involves change. A willingness to embrace change and leave certain things behind is necessary if progress matters to us.

A refusal move toward what is next is a decision to not grow. To not embrace change when it is needed is to be satisfied with past success while neglecting the present and future needs for growth and effectiveness. An unwillingness to leave behind those things that no longer work is a decision to fail.

Pastor Steve Hogg