Understanding change

Jim Farrer March 12, 2025

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Pioneer church consultant Lyle E. Schaller, who consulted with more than 6,000 congregations, declared in his book Strategies for Change: "The need to initiate and implement planned change from within an organization...is the number-one issue today for most congregations…" (p.10).

Change is disruptive.

Psychiatrist Dr. Karl Menninger, founder of the famous clinic which bears his name in Topeka, Kansas, observes: "All of us on the staff (900) are convinced that all change is experienced by all people as a loss and is followed by anger."

Management guru Peter Drucker in his book Landmarks of Tomorrow lists three risks in innovation and change: 1) It will make current practices and patterns of operation obsolete. 2) It will fail. 3) It will succeed and produce unforeseen consequences that will create new problems. These unintended consequences have been experienced in many lines of work. For example biologist Garrett Hardin observed: "You can never merely do one thing."

A climate in which change can occur

Several management leaders talk about four alliterative words. They are trust, time, talking, and tolerance. Most horses and most people do not like to be surprised. Before the worn-out blanket under the horse's saddle is replaced, the wise owner positions a new one in the stall to absorb the scent of the horse and the stable.

Frustration, confession, and forgiveness

Often a leader desires changes in the congregation. Sometimes this is because of the normal frustrations of dealing with self-centered, stubborn and sinful members. A wise counselor suggested that it is important to hold up a mirror to examine oneself as well. Does the image reveal those same kinds of tendencies?

William Bridges author of the book Transitions counsels: "Genuine beginnings depend on...inner realignment rather than on external shifts" (p.138). Before a breakthrough can happen in the congregation what changes may God first want to bring about in you?

The changed church leader

One pastor shared an experience that turned his personal ministry around. He had never been a high-achieving student. He later discovered he had a hyperactivity syndrome. However, as a pastor he had one basic focus: get prepared for Sunday. That he could do. About the same time, early in ministry, he was led to complete a spiritual gift inventory. It revealed that among his top gifts were teaching and to his shock...knowledge! This encouragement assured him that despite his lack of academic success his ministry would be blessed by the Lord.

Others have received a renewed sense of call and their "fit" through research and methods developed by Lavern Brown, Gordon Penfold, and Gary Westra found in their recent book Pastor Unique and at turnaroundpastor.com.

Will a group change?

In one established congregation at least five pastors tried to change the role of what the members called "The Deacons." According to their denomination, deacons were to provide care for the poor, sick, and shut-ins, but this group only wanted to receive the offering. How much time and energy had been invested in the re-education process to no avail? The answer is to add a new team for a new task.

Seasons when change may occur

Many have observed change when a new pastor arrives. In addition, change in a congregation may occur rapidly when a number of members return with excitement and new ideas from a retreat. The worldview and priorities of teens and adults are dramatically altered by taking a mission trip.

Consultants and professors Norman Shawchuck and Roger Heuser in Leading the Congregation (p.128) reveal themes of change during traditional church seasons. Changes in music, mood and our responses are thus appropriate.

• Advent – preparation, expectation, hope
• Christmas – surprise, gift, joy
• Epiphany – light, witness, call
• Lent – reflection, repentance, increased commitment
• Easter – resurrection, new life
• Harvest – reaping, fruitfulness

For change to occur there is often a necessary but overlooked "season." A four-year "Mainline Evangelism Study" revealed that the few congregations that had exciting success in reaching new adults with the Gospel had rediscovered prayer.

The Lord is in the business of change.

Dozens of Bible verses are about change. The seeds of change may take time to bring forth fruit. In I Corinthians 3:6, Paul planted; Apollos watered; the Lord gave the increase.

The God of the Bible is emphatic: "I will make all things new." Isaiah 43:19

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Jim Farrer is the founder of Vital Signs Church Consulting and a member of the Society for Church Consulting. A broadly-trained church consultant, Jim is also a veteran of ministry positions in Canada and the U.S., he has trained leaders from 18 denominations and led seminars and coaching sessions nationwide. His articles have been published in the Journal of Evangelism and Missions and the Great Commission Research Journal. You can reach him by e-mailing revup1@yahoo.com or calling 814 629-5211. Learn More »

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