talk about changes…
5 stages of change
1. awareness that maybe there needs to be a change.
2. acknowledge that they probably should change.
3. understand what needs to change and the alternatives.
4. agreeing to make the change and taking action steps toward change.
5. stick to it.
here’s the deal. i think a lot of churches are aware of items 1 – 3. agreeing and committing to change and then sticking to it. that is another story not only for congregations but for most pastors.
there was a term we used to use in counseling – homeostasis – the tendency of a system to maintain stability. in other words the devil you know is better than the unknown. we would rather be dysfunctional than change. to most churches, it is obvious that they are dying, the world knows it, the neighbors know it, the pastor knows it, the parishioners know it, but by golly we like what we are and no one is gonna change us.
well, yes they are. you know who it will be? it will be the wrecking crew that dismantles the church building to put up another building or business when your church dies. saw on a church planters blog the other day about how quickly they have developed traditions. not a bad thing unless they become sacred cows that never can be tampered with or changed. Brian mentioned this in Sunday’s sermon. in 2nd Kings the king had to destroy the snake pole that Moses had used to heal and rally the people, but it had become an idol.
the last two on the list is making the change and sticking to it. how many times have i talked with pastors that said, “we tried that ____ , and it didn’t work so we went back to our old ways.” it’s like a diet. your body changes when you change your habits. that’s the easy part. but do you realize the ridiculously high number of people that weigh more a year after they quit the diet. have you seen the winner of the “biggest loser” from a couple of seasons before, he is bigger than ever.
pastors can change, churches can change, but it takes time. won’t happen overnight. begin with the things you can change. get credibility. then change the next thing. etc. etc. but if you think you will go into Little Bethel Church and make it The Next Big Name Church, you’re probably headed for a lot of headaches and disappointment and will be circling your resume’ a lot over the years.
change can be positive or negative. it’s all in how you handle it.
