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Friends and Colleagues, Leaders in the church (and about everywhere) get involved in trying to lead change. But change isn't easy, is it! One book's title puts it well: Change is Easy - You Go First. This month's main article takes a look at a dimension of leading change that is often not appreciated.
The resource section highlights a book that will add to my last month's column on stewardship. I so appreciate Bill Taylor's contributing this review.
As you move into summer, you might consider taking some time to reflect on how you're doing and to set some commitments for fall. I'd love to coach you as you do this, asking deep questions to help you clarify and focus. Give me a call or send an email.
If you know someone who might benefit from my thoughts here,
please use the "Forward to a Friend" button in the newsletter (that
way you'll avoid problems with spam filters).
Here's to clarity about how God is leading us!
Peace,
Bob
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Change? Thanks,
but no thanks! Part 1
For a decade I have used
Palm devices (Handspring,
Pilot, Treo) to keep myself organized.
What a wonder they have been!
Prior to using these electronic marvels, I kept myself organized
with paper
Day-Timers. But the Palm platform did all
that and more. It featured a calendar,
task list (on which I could remind myself to get my wife a birthday card
as
well as prepare for the annual meeting), memos (covering everything from
various committees to personal medical records), and a contact list
(where I
could have phone numbers, addresses, directions to a particular office,
etc.). Palm had a "hot sync" which enabled
me to have all my data on both the handheld and the computer. Made
it very easy to work with. And even more, my Palm Treo
PDA (Personal
Digital Assistant) was my cell phone. I
loved it.
But then my Treo started
slowing and crashing. My computer whiz son told me gently
that it
was an antique (3 years old?!). Verizon,
my wireless carrier, came out with the Palm Pre Plus! "Everything
will transfer to the new
phone," declared the pleasant sales woman. It would be seamless. No
problems.
Ha! Two and a
half months into the new device, I sometimes want to thrown it against a
wall,
stomp on it, and then take a hammer to what pieces remain!
The transition was not seamless. I like the web access the new
gadget has (not much more expensive), but lots didn't transfer. (e.g.
all the addresses and other info) Moreover, it doesn't
sync with the computer
so I have to enter things on the tiny keyboard.
This has been a learning
opportunity about change!
We often try to
bring about change in our
churches or other organizations. We see
the need for change - declining attendance, changed community, etc. -
but so
many resist that change!
I liked the Palm system
that I had. I didn't want to change it, but I had to!
And isn't that just like
many church members are. They are comfortable with the way they
have
always done it. In an ever changing
crazy world, at least they can come to church and expect something
unchanging. They prefer the somewhat dysfunctional that
they have to the possibly greatly more functional possibility (but not
for
sure).
Kenneth McFayden, Professor
of Ministry and Leadership
Development at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, has written an
excellent
book on leading change: Strategic
Leadership for a Change - Facing Our Losses, Finding our Future. He stresses the often overlooked work of
dealing with grief.
When leaders propose a
major changes, there will be
those for whom it is painful. They may
recall the glory days of the 1950's when the sanctuary was filled with
families
singing the classic hymns of the tradition. They recoil at changes in the liturgy. When big changes are proposed with the building - a sanctuary
renovation, church school remodeling, or more - they recall baptisms,
weddings,
confirmations, funerals. Memories wash
over them. It is critical for leaders
to assess members' attachments
to whatever has been that needs to change and help them deal with the
potential
changes.
So, as you lead your
members through change, here are
some questions you might ask yourself and others:
- what memories
does this proposed change evoke?
- what do you
see now? In the church
building? In worship? In the
neighborhood? What changes are going on that bother
you?
- how has the
culture changed? To what extent is
church membership important to your children or grandchildren?
For what might they be searching?
- what regrets
and sadnesses do you have about where our church is now? about
your contribution (or lack of
contribution) to its current status?
- as you talk
with those not in your church, what are some hurts and hopes and
hungers
that might be met by the good news of the Gospel? How
might your church embody that good
news?
- How are the
proposed changes consistent with the church's heritage of ministry?
Key is helping friends to express their grief (you know the stages) and then move on the new adventure God has in mind for them.
I'm still grieving the
effective system that my Palm
Treo offered and am grudgingly moving into the web based operating
system. But every day things are a little
better.
Many books have been
written about leading change. I can only suggest a few
thoughts that I've
gleaned from them. Next month I'll offer
some other ideas. If you'd like some
suggestions of books on change I've found helpful, please send me an
email.
I'd love to coach you
and/or your governing board
regarding this process. Give me a call
and we can discuss possibilities.
If you know
someone who
might find this newsletter helpful, please
forward it to them - and please use the button
in the newsletter.
Here's to healthy churches - with healthy
leaders!
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Resources - books and other resources that have been helpful
J. Clif Christopher's
"Not Your Parents' Offering Plate:A New
Vision for Financial Stewardship" (Abingdon Press, 2008)
Frustrated because your appeal for church funding falls on
deaf ears? Are your church members choosing to give to other organizations and
programs? Today it is not enough to simply
say, "Give us more money because we need it -NOW!" (Intro. p. xvi)
Christopher's book provides those who are concerned about
church finance a real wake-up that will change your concept of stewardship and
end those last minute appeals for "help." A practical book that makes the mission and
program come alive and provide you with the funding you need..
Through his ten principles of Christian Stewardship you will
revolutionize your stewardship campaign in exciting ways. Last November my Stewardship chair and I saw an increase of 3.5% in pledged giving
using Christopher's ideas. That was a
time when churches were seeing decreases in their pledge results.
This will be the best stewardship investment you have ever
made.
Review by William E. Taylor, B.S., M.Div., CMT A retired PC(USA) pastor serving Pleasant Home United Methodist Church, Gresham
OR
What books or resources have you found especially helpful? I'd be glad (with available space) to share your reviews and/or suggestions.
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Previous Newsletters Here is a list of my previous newsletters. If you would like one or more newsletters, please email me and I'll be glad to give you links to them.
[email protected]
May 2010 - Another Angle on Stewardship
April 2010 - Bullies in the Church???
March 2010 - A Coaching Approach to Leadership
February 2010 - Discerning a Mission and Vision
January 2010 - Feedforward - a different kind of 360
December 2009 - Appraisals - Part 2
November 2009 - Appraisals - Part 1
October 2009 - Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Getting Results
September 2009 - Five Dysfunctions - Ownership and Accountability
August 2009 - Five Dysfunctions - Good Fights
July 2009 - Five Dysfunctions - Building Trust
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Future Issues (monthly)
- Leading Change - Part 2
- Getting Going in a New Church
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I hope you have found this newsletter informative and helpful. Please subscribe to continue receiving it (or unsubscribe to stop). If you'd like to explore coaching, please email or call me.
If you have found it helpful, please forward it to friends who you think would appreciate it. (And please use the forward button on the newsletter itself.)
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Bob Robert Harris
Harris Coaching and Consulting
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