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Change for the Sake of Change…On Purpose
This week we’ve been talking about developing a culture of change at our churches, and you’ve offered some great stories and ideas from your experience.
Here is a fairly simple process that has helped me in trying to build a culture of change in teams I’ve led.
- Make a series of small, incremental changes that are strategically planned and spaced.
- Have a well-communicated vision that allows for transparency and flexibility as momentum shifts.
- Continually evaluate what has momentum what doesn’t
- Do more of what’s working and less of what’s not
- Repeat
Now I know that can seem overly simplistic and it is. I’ve just found that in hindsight those are the common components in creating a positive change culture.
What would you add? Or subtract :) ?
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Funny - As I am in the first three months of minstry at the church I am at - I have started this process with everything we do.
Good stuff Bobby. I’ve enjoyed the series this week. John Kotter offers an 8-step process (http://bit.ly/sLqrq) for change in his book, “Leading Change.” It’s good, especially when major changes are needed. Brad Powell also offers some good insight in his book, “Change Your Church for Good: The Art of Sacred Cow Tipping.” Here’s 3 points he makes that are particularly relevant:
1. “You’ve got to kill what’s killing you, but you can let what isn’t killing you die of natural causes.”
2. “While it’s true that the church must establish points of relevance for outsiders, it is not true that every point of relevance for insiders should be removed.”
3. “Change doesn’t happen when you announce it. Change grows.”
Every church is experiencing a different rate of change. Powell’s experience comes from transitioning a relatively traditional church, and therefore, his points are probably especially helpful for churches that struggle with the change process.
Awesome! I’ve already thrown together ideas for #1 for my new college ministry at OU!
Thanks Bob-E!
I think sometimes when we speak of a change in the church and when we are speaking of a church the size of LifeChurch.tv, we may have to look at how decisions are made to reach that change. And if we are following the same path and not getting the results, maybe there needs to be a change in the decision makers.
good stuff. with a new emphasis on empowering and setting volunteers free for ministry, who will make the hard decisions on what has momentum and what doesn’t?
A good question to ask yourself as you try to build a culture of change is.
Am I devising world’s wisdom in order to execute the plan?
Is every plan and every activity defendable by Scripture alone?
If you answered yes to both questions, you are in good shape.
Junu
http://www.pilgrimsmap.com