It is often said that we should not ‘reinvent the wheel.’ This statement coincides with another thought, ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.’ These statements certainly contain truth. There is no need to create something that has already been created. There is no need to change something that is working just fine. We are creatures of habit. We don’t like change. For me, I do not care for change in home life. One of the more difficult discussions in the home is when the wife wants to rearrange the furniture. I stand in solidarity with every other man, we do not like change! I must confess that when I hear my wife say, “I wonder what this piece of furniture would look like over there”, I cringe on the inside and attempt to ignore what she said. In my house, I have my chair. It is the man’s chair. No one sits in my chair. If they do, and I walk in the room, they immediately get up. It is my chair. It is positioned in just the right place in view of the television. There is a stand next to it where I can put my sweat tea or mountain dew. Once that chair is the right positon, it does not move! But, over the years the chair becomes worn. It becomes faded. It may even have a hole in it. It may get to a place where it won’t recline. It has been used. It gets to a place where it is no longer functional and a change is needed. The same is true with the wheel. Yes, there is no need to reinvent the wheel, but you do need to change the tires. Over time the tread on the tires will worn and if not taken care of, the tire will eventually go flat. When you have a flat tire, you are not going anywhere.

                Many churches have flat tires. They are not moving forward because they are not willing to repair or replace the tires. The wheel does not need to be reinvented but the tire must be updated in order to move forward. Many churches keep doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. They hold on to outdated programs and traditions that just simply don’t work anymore. The wheel is fine. The wheels of worship, discipleship, fellowship, and missions are strong pillars of the church that never go away. But, the tires! Those worn tires! Doing the same thing the same way for many years takes its toll and the church becomes stagnant and is hindered from moving forward and growing because they refuse to change the tires. Growing churches are those that do not go out and buy a new car every year or two and start all over. Growing churches keep the car running through proper maintenance of changing the oil and the tires and keeping up with needed repairs.

                If a church wants to keep the wheels of worship, discipleship, fellowship, and missions rolling; proper maintenance is needed. This means, yes, adopting new programs and methods. It means not compromising but adjusting to the culture around us. It means repairing the things that are broken, or in some cases, replacing parts with new parts that will keep the church moving full speed ahead. Many churches that were once vibrant growing churches fall to the wayside because they neglected much needed maintenance. Unwilling to change. Unwilling to adapt. The church gets a flat tire and is stuck with old and outdated bylaws and policies that may have been good in the past but does not fit the current situation of today. The church holds on to programs and ministries that become lifeless and running on fumes, because they are not willing to change the oil and try something new.

                If we want to see people saved, discipled, and sent out on mission; if we want to see the church grow, we must not neglect the routine maintenance that is needed. Don’t reinvent the wheel but change the tires!