Churches can change if....

One of the most common misconceptions about churches is that they are opposed to change. While it's true that many churches are change-resistant it is not true that they will not change. There are many reasons for their resistance, and if the pastor and other leaders understand these reasons they are more likely to lead their churches in significant change.

Churches are resistant to change when they do not trust their leaders to lead that change. One of the primary reasons for this lack of trust, especially in smaller churches, is the rapid pastoral turnover many of them experience. Why allow a pastor to lead a change effort when he or she is unlikely to remain there for more than 2-4 years? As an Resource Minister in our region who worked with many pastor church committees I was often frustrated by the large number of pastor profiles and resumes I received that showed a track record of changing churches every 2-4 years. It was no wonder these pastors seldom accomplished anything of significance in their ministries.

If you want to successfully lead change in your church you must be willing to commit to being there for an extended period of time. It can take up to five years for a change to become part of a church's DNA, and if you aren't willing to commit to seeing that happen it is unlikely you will lead that church in any significant change.

Another common reason leaders are unsuccessful in leading change is that they fail to create a sense of urgency for the change. John Kotter, in his excellent book Leading Change, was the first to highlight that for me. Without that sense of urgency people are not interested in changing as they see so real value or need for the change.

The first thing a leader must do is to demonstrate what is likely to happen if the change does not occur and the advantages the church can experience if the change does occur. Until the rewards for the change surpass the costs of the change, they are going to be resistant to any suggested change.

I would encourage every pastor and church leader to read Kotter's book as he lists several more things that need to happen for effective change to occur. In the meantime, commit to remaining at your church for an extended period of time and identify ways to create a sense of urgency around the change. You are likely to find your church more willing to implement that change.