Preparing congregations for major change

Understanding what is involved in developing a new life cycle and preparing a congregation for the necessary change will help in discerning whether it is time to end or put energy into a new vision.

• A great sense of urgency with a compelling vision enables change. The challenge for leaders is to create that sense of urgency to make the status quo unacceptable while casting a vision to paint a preferable future.  These two concepts are the negative and positive foundation for fundamental change.  Failure to cast vision while creating urgency makes it nearly impossible to prepare a highly dysfunctional congregation to be open to change.
• There should be the creation and discipling of three groups while developing this sense of urgency and vision. The first group is those who will pray for the congregation to become outward focused willing to take responsibility for changing a community.  The second group is the initiators who will help plan the change process.  The third group is leaders who will lead the change when it comes.
• Once these things are in place the congregation is ready to begin the change process to create a new life cycle for the congregation. It is at this juncture that it is best to enlist outside assistance to facilitate and accelerate the change process. This might be Connexional Team support (e.g. Transformational Leadership Learning Community or  Evangelism and Growth support) or from other church communities who have been through similar processes.