Whether merely making some adjustments or totally transforming the way we do things in the church, change brings challenges leaders must learn to manage in a Christ-like manner. Taking a proactive approach to change management helps.
Foster an environment that cares most about God’s purposes, design, and mission for the church than our own agendas. Encourage people to join you in all situations to trust God for the strength to step out of comfort zones and sacrifice personal interests if needed.
Start with Thoughts about Change
Following you’ll find resources beginning with some thoughts about change in general and specifically about the church and change. Then you’ll find help with a leader’s roles and responsibilities in change management.
While seeking to choose doctrinally sound resources, we make no claim to total endorsement of any listing. Where possible, links go to merchants with whom we have an affiliate relationship, such as being an Amazon Associate from whom we earn from qualifying purchases. These sites may use cookies to track activity to ensure that Ministry Tools Resource Center gets commissions from any sales. Links open in new pages to keep the list available.
About Change Generally
Articles:
- Not Everything Changes in a Changing World
- Quick Solutions or Real Change?
- Requisites for Real Change over Quick Solutions
Books:
About the Church and Change
Articles:
- A Changing Church Still Maintains God’s Primary Purposes
- A Changing Church Still Follows God’s Design
- A Changing Church Still Fulfills God’s Mission
- A Church That’s Responsive, Not Compromising
- A Responsive, Non-Responsive, or Compromising Church?
- The Church and Change
- We Need to Think Outside of the Box
Books:
- Becoming a Future-Ready Church: 8 Shifts to Encourage and Empower the Next Generation of Leaders by Daniel Yang, Adelle Banks & Warren Bird
Consider a Leader’s Role and Responsibility in Change Management
Leaders more effectively manage change when they understand how their gifting and God-given roles affect the process.
Articles:
- Leaders & Change Management
- Guiding People to Navigate Change Well
- Servants Not Controllers of the Change Process
- Shepherds Help People Navigate Change
Books:
- Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell
- LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture by Eddie Gibbs
Get Help with Effective Change Management
Many factors go into effectively managing change.
Articles:
- First Steps to Change
- Bible Verses to Help in the Change Process
- Prayerful Assessment Needed for Steps to Change
- Managing Change According to Church Purpose?
- Body Life Critical to Change Management
- Body Life Provides Safeguards During Change
- Change in His Name
- Change For His Name’s Sake
- A Change Process Leading to Growth
- Managing Change Well Takes Christ-like Thinking
- Managing Change Well Takes Christ-like Attitudes
- Managing Change Well Takes Christ-like Actions
- Overcoming Resistance to Change
- Usefulness of Scripture in Change Management
Books:
- Who Moved My Pulpit?: Leading Change in the Church by Thom S Rainer
- Future-Focused Church: Leading through Change, Engaging the Next Generation, and Building a More Diverse Tomorrow by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, Raymond Chang
- Leading Change Without Losing It: Five Strategies That Can Revolutionize How You Lead Change When Facing Opposition by Carey Nieuwhof
- Leading Major Change in Your Ministry by Jeff Iorg
- Practical Stuff for Pastors: Leading Change by Group Publishing
- Uncharted Leadership: 20 Case Studies to Help Ministry Leaders Adapt to Uncertainty by Angie Ward
Pull on God’s Power for Making Changes with a Christ-like Approach
Handling changes with a Christ-like approach takes His power at work in and through us (Phil. 4:13) which He provides through various means.
Articles:
- Power to Navigate Change Well
- Power of Gospel Gives Perspective in Change Management
- Grace Bookend Your Change Process?
- The Spirit Helps Us Navigate Change
- Power for Change in the Name of the Lord
- Need to Make Changes? First Ask, Seek, Knock
- Change Possible Because of Resurrection Power
- Navigating Change May Require Demolishing Strongholds