It's logical to assume that because churches are in the business of facilitating life change, they would be relatively adept at organizational change. Most churchmen know that this is not the case. In a postmodern world, churches need to innovate and change their ministry strategies. Why is it hard for churches to change? There are five basic reasons:
Churches are guardians of tradition.
Part of the church's duty is to preserve the spiritual heritage handed down through the centuries. Often, though, we end up defending preferences as well as eternal principles.
Culture is important to churches.
Church culture has a strong emotional element. While change in secular organizations can hurt people, this is usually expected. When change causes pain in the "family," the results are messy.
Church mission statements are not always well-defined.
Some goals of the church, such as growth among its members, are identifiable in principle but difficult to quantify. This ambiguity of goals, combined with the fact that most churches design ministries to meet their own needs and ensure self-preservation, make change controversial.
Church is a haven for change-weary parishioners.
People's lives are in constant state of flux. Church is the one place change-weary believers come to find peace from life's instability.
Few pastors consider themselves gifted leaders.
Change requires leadership. Only 5 percent of pastors feel that they have this gift. Pastors who lack leadership skills can become frustrated when efforts to implement change are thwarted by those who enjoy the status quo. These pastors will usually end up avoiding innovation or mismanage the transition process.
After reading these obstacles to church change, one might become discouraged about the likelihood of successful adaptation. Take heart!
Here are five reasons why effective improvement can take place within churches:
We have the Holy Spirit.
If we're focused on the Spirit we are less likely to obsess about the petty problems of change.
We have low overhead.
Many organizations go out of business because they can't afford to institute the changes necessary to keep afloat. Even though churches are not large money-making operations, their expenses are generally low enough to allow them to make needed adjustments.
Family sticks together.
When push comes to shove, the commitment that holds people together in the church helps them to ride out even uncomfortable changes.
Faith is part of our heritage.
Throughout history, the church has faced change on numerous occasions. Our collective faith has always helped us get through times of transition.
We have a higher calling.
We're able not only to endure the difficulties of change, but to thrive and grow because we have our eyes on the bigger picture of God's will.
Reprinted from "A House of Change" by Alan Nelson. Rev., Mar/Apr 2001 (Vol 4, No 4).