3 Ways to Know Your Church is Ready for Change

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So, you just landed a new appointment. Congratulations!

Settling into a new church family is exciting, but it can also stir up some big questions. One of the biggest: how long should you wait before you start making changes to the status quo?

It would be great if I could snap my fingers and give you a number of months after which your congregation would be ready for change. But we all know that kind of magical thinking won’t be helpful. I can, however, offer three practical ways to know when your church is ready.

First, let me help you debunk a common myth that circles the church world; the myth that you should wait at least a year before making any changes.

1 Year Too Late

I

can’t count the number of times during my ministry journey that I heard the advice “Wait a year before you make any changes.” Which was most often followed by, “They need to adjust to you first,” and, “Making changes will turn them against you.”

Here’s the thing: the myth of the “do-nothing” first year can hold you back. Sure, some adjustments take time. But a healthy church is a growing church, and growth often requires change.

Does this mean run in and re-write an entire year’s worth of programming your first month? No. What it does mean is that it is your responsibility as the new leader to become attuned to the needs of your congregation and make the necessary changes to avoid potential decline, while facilitating renewal.

3 Ways to Know Your Church is Ready for Change

So, how do you know if your new congregation is ready to embrace new ideas, even with a fresh face in the pulpit? Here are some tips to help you start directing your congregation towards change.

1) Listen: First things first: soak it all in! In my blog last week, we talked about listening as an important first step in building relationships within your new church. While you’re listening to their joys, challenges, hopes and dreams for the church, take a minute to ask them what they’re passionate about? Do they have concerns about changes you might be thinking of making? Are there whispers of “we used to do it this way” that might be holding things back?

Does your church board or leadership team actively seek your input? Are they receptive to your ideas, even if they differ from past practices? Are people talking (or complaining!) about feeling disconnected from the church’s message or methods? Listen for these signs that they’re ready to collaborate on positive change.

Then, talk to them about what you hear. You won’t get the full picture without listening, then talking to people about the church’s needs.

2) Watch: Is there a sense of “been there, done that” in the air? Are Sunday services more of a routine than a source of inspiration? Apathy can be a sign that people are hungry for something new.

Sometimes, the desire for change isn’t spoken, but simmering just beneath the surface. Look for those moments when eyes light up during discussions, or when folks readily volunteer for new initiatives. This enthusiasm is a green light – your congregation might just be waiting for someone to light that spark and watch it grow into a flame of change!

3) Act: Are attendance numbers steady, but not growing? Or are they dropping? Is there a specific demographic under-represented? Do younger generations feel connected? Do you even have youth and children among your congregation?

Maybe your church is already running successful outreach programs, but there’s a buzz about wanting to do more. A desire for growth is a natural indicator that the church is ready to adapt, reach new people, and make some changes.

So, get involved!  Join both church groups and community outreach that your church is taking part in already and expand upon it. And don’t forget to get your family involved!  Your partner and children, if you have them, are a vital component of your new church community, too.

A couple of bonus tips: Effective change, like building relationships, does take time. But it doesn’t have to take a year. Only you can tell how long it will take to make a real connection with your congregation, understand their needs, and then shepherd them towards a shared vision for the future.

Starting the process of change isn’t about a complete overhaul. Start small, gather input through surveys or focus groups, and concentrate on areas where there’s the most openness. The key is to be open, listen actively, and trust that the Holy Spirit will guide you and your congregation on this exciting journey of growth together.

Also, keep in mind that your congregation will have ideas too! All ideas for change don’t need to come from you. In fact, once they’ve embraced the plan to change, most of them may come from your new church family.

Your leadership, combined with the congregation’s openness and creativity, can take a stagnant or slow-growing congregation and create a thriving church community.

Looking for more ideas to bring about change and growth? Join Readiness 4 Renewal, a group coaching opportunity where you’ll explore and learn to engage specific and proven leadership skills that will promote renewal in your ministry setting.

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