Navigating an Established Church Through Change

Change in a church or any organization is scary–and not just for those of the older persuasion. I mean, that’s the stereotype: the senior adults of a church usually take umbrage with change. Not so! Change is scary for many in the church. The unknown is all that’s known during the process. The younger generations wonder if the change will really help the cause of Christ, and become anxiety-filled in wondering if this process will really move things forward or find resistance to such a degree that it’s not worth it.

Here's a plan and template to consider:

Christ and community: Do the changes help us better connect with Christ and connect with the community around us?

Head and heart: Do the changes connect with us personally in our head (yes, we need these changes) and our heart (are we emotionally and spiritually ready to make these changes), or do our spirits resist these? If so, why? What challenges arise? What threat do they pose? Is the end result in our hearts worth the process of losing some of what we have now?)

Approachable, achievable, and applicable: Are the changes achievable? Are they something that we can do? Are there short-term, easier changes we can make now to gain momentum for changes in the future? Are these changes for changes’ sake, or do they apply to a true obstacle or issue the church is facing?

Navigable: Are we as church leaders ready to communicate where we shall navigate? Are we as church leaders ready to help you navigate through the calm and/or stormy waters in this sea of change–or are we as leaders wanting to stay docked in a safe harbor? When we do (notice the word ‘when’) pull out of the safety of the harbor, will we as church leaders recognize the needed pace by which to navigate? And will we all be willing to be led by the Spirit and have ears to hear what he is saying to the church (Revelation 2-3)?

Gradual with gravity: Pace. That’s the word. Will we recognize the necessary pace, finding the tension between being gradual (not glacial) and conveying the gravity of needed change?

Edifying and engaging: Are we willing to grow on the inside (edify–which means to build up) to go on the outside (engaging)? We’ve come full circle to Christ (growing in Him) and culture (going for Him, in His name).