Anytime we go through a change, we experience the surface emotions of being sad or mad. While not immediately apparent, a change that offers the possibility of a new beginning often triggers these emotions, which means something is ending. 

Most of us mishandle endings and delay a new beginning. Like attending a funeral, we’re tempted to rush through the end to get to a fresh start. We fail to recognize that rumbling just below the surface of these emotions lies the Four D’s of Endings: Disappointment, Disengagement, Disenchantment, and Disorientation.

Here’s the way that we experience the Four D’s of Endings: 

Disappointment - things don’t turn out as expected when a change occurs. 

Disengagement - when we move away from a familiar situation and are unclear about the role we’re stepping into after moving from the ordinary into the unknown. 

Disenchantment - when the “enchantment spell” that casts a big dream to inspire and energize us is broken, and the “way we operated in the world” that once inspired and energized us no longer makes sense. 

Disorientation - when the customary signs of what we once knew as “dependable” are gone, the “I-know-where-I-am-going” is replaced with a sense of being lost or disoriented about which direction to turn. 

Walking through the Four D’s of Ending is the process of transformation and New Life. This is fundamental to the church and its members. But what happens when a church experiences a change? How does a church change? To transform the church for New Life requires the people who attend the church to be transformed, too. Ultimately, transformation requires renewing your mind, worldview, and way of being. 

During October, we will focus on transforming our church. We will examine specific spiritual principles to help the church navigate the change process.

Week 1: Uniting in Spirit

Week 2: Praying for Peace

Week 3: Working for the Ministry

Week 4: Forgiving Power of Love

Week 5: Using Your Gifts

Transforming our church requires following the spiritual practices above to help us move through the Four D’s of Endings. Only when we become transformed people who attend the church can our church be transformed and known for helping our members and community Do Life Together through the wilderness that leads to New Life. 

At the Intersection,

Dr. Quincy D. Brown

Senior Pastor