We live in a changing world.  Someone recently said, “the only constant in the world is change.”  Let’s face it, we’re changing every year, month, and each week.  Truthfully, how many of us look the same as we did five years ago?  Not many!  Things are changing right before our very eyes and what was on the cutting edge moments ago is now almost obsolete.

A friend recently shared how he went to purchase a case for his original Motorola Droid cell phone.  When he asked to see a few cases, the salesperson laughed and informed him that his phone was old and suggested he should check eBay.  Amazing!  Why?  The phone’s only 11 months old.

As pastor who tends to be ahead of the curve on what’s happening, understanding change and knowing how to lead change is an indispensable art in leading today’s church.  Over the last 12 years I’ve led our church through some significant changes and here’s a few things I’ve learned about change:

1. Change is not The Problem.  It’s how we introduce it and how we manage the transition and tension that comes along with each change.  Change requires moving from a preferred known to an unknown and people tend to fear and resist the unknown.  Learn how to manage the tension and transition  that comes with each change (connect with me and I’ll show you how).
2. Build a Trust Bridge.  Before you can effectively lead change you need to earn trust.  When I began pastoring I created a shortlist of things I wanted to change: the pulpit, stage, our structure, bulletin, programming, etc.  I executed those changes and caused ripples waves.  I should have took time to learn the culture of the staff and church, investing in relationships and getting to know people.
3. Illustrate Change Before You Sell Change.  It can be hard to get people to agree to buy into something they can’t actually see. Instead of presenting a lofty idea of what is possible give people a picture of what change could look like.
4. Don’t Assume Everyone Understands.  Just because they nod in agreement doesn’t mean they understand or agree.  You know what people say about assuming, right? Don’t assume that people will instantly understand or get what you are trying to sell. Realize that in the chaotic and ever-changing world that we live in that people are still catching up. Don’t assume people know and don’t expect them to understand why certain changes need to be made.
5. Play The God-Card.  Whenever change is introduced in the church setting we naturally hear the response, “well that’s the way we’ve always done it.” I don’t know how or why it happened but a lot of churches have made an idol out of the way they do things.  Remind people that God is always doing a new thing.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:18-19

Question:  What do you think about my list?  What would you add to this list?