We all know how popular change is in most churches. Even churches that know the things they are doing isn't working are reluctant to change what they are doing. They prefer the status quo over doing something different because the status quo is comfortable. In the status quo everyone knows their place, and if something changes their place may change, or even more frightening, they may not have a place. Yet, we know that all things do change. At one time, the status quo we try to hold onto was a new way of doing things in the church. Change is inevitable, so how do we bring about change in a church?
When I speak to pastor gatherings I tell them that change will take much longer than anyone wants, and if they try to rush it the change will not happen. Gary McInstosh is one of the top church consultants today, serves as president of the Church Growth Network and is a professor of Christian ministry and leadership. In his excellent book There's Hope for Your Church: First Steps To Restoring Health And Growth he writes, "Research in the field of church growth shows that it takes an average of seven years to implement significant changes in an urban or suburban church. Bringing about the same changes in a rural setting often takes ten to twelve years, if not longer."
I have read elsewhere that it will take five years from the time a change is introduced to a congregation until it becomes a part of the DNA of the church. From my experience, I think McIntosh's time frame is more accurate, but in either case, bringing about change in a church will take longer than any of us would prefer. Even if a change is implemented quicker than that the desire to return to the status quo will constantly be trying to pull the church back to what it was before. One church made a major change over five years ago in its organizational structure that is working very well, but there are still people in the church advocating to go back to their old structure.
The wise leader will understand that if change needs to occur in a church, and it likely does in most churches, that this will be a lengthy process. Unless the pastor is committed to remaining at the church for a significant time, he or she should not seek to introduce major changes. Even with such a commitment, the pastor may not see those changes fully implemented. As the apostle Paul reminds us, some of us are called to prepare the ground, others to plant the seed, others to water, and some to reap the harvest. Perhaps you are called to till up the hard ground or plant the seed, but others will enjoy the harvest that resulted from your hard work.
One major mistake I have seen pastors make regarding change is that they suddenly spring it upon an unsuspecting congregation. If the pastor has been thinking about this for a few months and decides this change is necessary, he or she should not be surprised to find the majority of the congregation opposes it the first time they hear it. After all, they've just heard this idea you've been working on for months. It's far better to begin sharing it with some trusted leaders in the church to get their input before introducing it to the wider congregation. Doing this might also reveal some new insights as you hear feedback from these leaders that will make the changes you envision even better.
I have found that churches are not nearly as resistant to change as they are to sudden change. If presented right many churches will accept changes, but even then those changes will take time to implement. Be patient and trust God in the process.
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