Long, but GREAT quote from Millard Erickson in Christian Theology (P. 1077)

“The church must be versatile and flexible in adjusting its methods and procedures to the changing situations in the world. It must go where needy persons are found, even if that means a geographical or cultural change. It must not cling to all its old ways. As the world to which it is trying to minister changes, the church will have to adapt its ministry accordingly, but without altering its basic direction. As the church adapts, it will be emulating its Lord, who did not hesitate to come to earth to redeem humanity. In doing so, he took on the condidtions of the human race (Phil. 2:5-8). In similar fashion, the body of Christ will preserve the basic message with which it has been entrusted, and conintue to fulfill the major functions of its task, but will make all legitimate changes necessary to carry out its Lord’s purposes. The stereotypical church-a rural congregation headed by but one minister and consisting of a group of nuclear families who meet at 11AM on Sunday morning in a small white building with a steeple - still exists in some places. But it is the exception. Circumstances are now very different in most parts of the world. If the church has a sense of mission like that of its Lord, however, it will find ways to reach people wherever they are.’