Episode 291: 4 Reasons Your Church Struggles with Change

Episode 291: 4 Reasons Your Church Struggles with Change

 

Episode 291: 4 Reasons Your Church Struggles with Change

1. History: People think of their church as they did at their personal points of conversion
   1. change threatens their history
   2. change threatens their structure and control
   3. grief
2. Fear: People are afraid they won't like the change
   1. not all change works out well
   2. the unknown is always risky
3. Trust: People question leadership motivation more than ever before
   1. transitions and search teams
   2. people follow their closest relationships
      1. peer pressure is both positive and negative
4. Communication: People feel like change is forced on them

 

Possible reactions

Leaders give up on change = church declines and dies

Leaders push change too fast = church rebels and maybe splits; pastor loses credibility

Leaders push change alone = pastor loses credibility; most likely limits his tenure

 

Some thoughts:

1. Make history your friend, not your enemy...celebrate the past.
2. Acknowledge the emotional nature of change. Vulnerability helps.
3. Let trustworthiness and faithfulness become your personal ambition.
4. Over-communicate on a two-way street. Allow for feedback to your communication.