Change efforts are never unanimous. Change efforts are too often reactive instead of proactive. Resistance to change is high. Ministry leaders can push too hard for change among the wrong people, at the wrong times, and in the wrong ways.
I might be understating the quandary of change in established churches.
If we believe in the body of Christ, then ministry leaders must be change agents. Leaders quickly understand what needs to change, but the how of change is just as important. I’ve been guilty of rushing the what of change without taking time to consider how change should happen. Below are twelve principles to help ministry leaders understand how change needs to occur.
- Begin with prayer. If you don’t pray through change, then you will rely on your abilities instead of God’s sovereignty. Change without prayer is dangerous and foolish.
- Love people more than change. Loving change more than people is not leadership. It’s selfishness.
- Choose your battles. Everything may need to change. But if you want to change everything all at once, then you demonstrate two undesirable leadership traits: Unwillingness to compromise and an inability to prioritize.
- Admit your mistakes. No one changes everything perfectly. Don’t pretend like you’ve got it all figured out. No one would believe you anyway.
- Affirm traditions. Not everything in the past is bad. Speak positively of past traditions that still work.
- Build on successes. Give credit to others for successes. Take personal responsibility for failures.
- Allow for open discussion. Do not withhold information. Give people time to digest your proposals. Let the people have a voice.
- Be wise in timing. Change can be emotional for people. Create buffers. Keep a long-term perspective.
- Stay focused. When change needs to happen, don’t let distractions derail you.
- Allow for a trial period. Change-resistant members can be comforted if the intrusion into their comfort zone may not be permanent. At the end of a trial period (I recommend one year), one of three decisions can be made. Extend the trial period. Reverse the change. Make the change permanent. In most established churches, after something has been going a year, most will say, “It’s the way we’ve always done it.”
- Expect opposition. Some people will never be pleased. Some will initially push back. Work with those who are willing to listen. Pray for and love those who never listen.
- Evaluate change. Not every change is good. Not every change will work. Be willing to admit it and move forward with new ideas.
All growing, healthy churches change. Every new person added to the body is a change. Great churches change. Great leaders know how to lead the change.
Posted on October 21, 2020
As President of Church Answers, Sam Rainer wears many hats. From podcast co-host to full-time Pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church, Sam’s heart for ministry and revitalization are evident in all he does.
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5 Comments
A common sinful “status quo” under the umbrella of “Christianity” is that of Simony; the tables of these sellers should be turned over with a deliberate passion. If you have truth, if you are given prophecy to share or anything that will equip, encourage, or benefit the believers, freely give it as our master Jesus did. “Do not sell wisdom”
This statement will cause the professional Christian to rationalize and think of the costs to produce and hours to produce a sellable truth; don’t work for bread that is perishable, don’t store up for yourselves treasures here on earth.
If God has given you something to share and you sell it….
Amen Brother!
Thankyou for a helpful article. In my four year tenure as pastor I’ve implemented significant change. In point 8 relating to timing, two of Sam’s words shout out at me, “create buffers”. Even good, godly people find change hard and even if they trust the leadership. I found that letting big ideas simmer gives people time to digest the proposal and form a view. In the end they may not agree, but mostly in this church they have changed their point of view. They just needed time.
The language of change is also important. I have found that the word “change” is associated with negativity, We removed the pews and that was “change”. But we replaced the old seats with modern chairs to be more attractive to outsiders and allow for greater flexibility in the space, and that’s “growth”.
1. Never actually use the word, “change.”
Very good list Sam, the only one I would add is to ask for forgiveness. I don’t think that just admitting your mistakes is enough. In my experience asking for forgiveness and all it entails is truly tough but can produce some wonderful uniting results.