Synopses & Reviews
When two-thirds of this nation's congregations are witnessing flat or declining membership rates, something has to change. But bound by tradition we often resist the very change our congregations need to thrive. Our challenge: revitalize our congregations and create a new center, one that will give church leaders a solid foundation for growing and reinvigorating congregations in the joyful spirit of Christianity. Written by three distinguished church consultants, Leading Congregational Change offers proven processes and tools for accomplishing this goal and revitalizing churches of any size and across the broad spectrum of denominations.With this much-needed handbook, the authors brilliantly combine their experience guiding dozens of churches through the change process with both the study of Christian disciplines and the sophisticated understanding of such important business thinkers as John Kotter on leading change and Peter Senge on learning organizations. In this eminently readable book the authors have distilled their insights and practices into simple but powerful concepts for leading congregations, whether long established or recently formed, through profound change.The central component of their original change model is for congregations to first nurture spiritual and relational vitality-that is, the creative power that faithful people experience together as they passionately pursue God's vision for their lives. Then, drawing examples from thriving churches, the authors offer long-term support for building upon this kind of vitality through eight well-considered stages. These include personally preparing for change, creating a sense of energy and urgency, and establishing a "vision community"-a diverse group of key members who work together to collaboratively discern and shape the church vision, share it with the broader congregation, and implement it through specific action plans.Recognizing that individual and church transformation go hand in h
Review
"Leading a church to change from being tradition- or program-driven to being purpose-driven is a task filled with all kinds of potentially explosive and divisive issues. This is a book you ought to read before you change anything." (Rick Warren, author, The Purpose-Driven Church)
"This is a landmark book for churches and change. Effecting change is never easy in congregations. Leading Congregational Change is a practical guide for congregational leaders that includes spiritual wisdom and its application from the best thinkers of our day." (Bob Buford, founding chairman, Leadership Network)
"This book spotlights the universal principles for navigating the rapids of change between chaplaincy and mission. Identifying the simplicity-within the complexity-of this challenging leadership role, pastors and leaders learn how to go from hopeful to possible." (Herb Miller, editor, The Parish Paper)
"A creative and helpful guide for assisting congregations through the necessary process of change by weaving together firm biblical foundations, the best of what's available from the social sciences, and insightful examples from the years of experience the authors have had in working with churches." (Craig Van Gelder, professor of congregational mission, Luther Seminary, ELCA)
"Leaders will appreciate the insight of these three writers." (The Clergy Journal, 1/02)
Synopsis
A Leadership Network Publication
With this much-needed handbook, the authors brilliantly combine their experience guiding dozens of churches through the change process with both the study of Christian disciplines and the sophisticated understanding of such important business thinkers as John Kotter on leading change and Peter Senge on learning organizations. In this eminently readable book the authors have distilled their insights and practices into simple but powerful concepts for leading congregations, whether long established or recently formed, through profound change.
Leaders using this guide will also be interested in the companion Leading Congregational Change Workbook, which offers assessment questions, planning worksheets, activities, and case examples for each stage of the process.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p, 163-168) and index.
About the Author
JIM HERRINGTON is executive director of Mission Houston, an interdenominational, multicultural pastoral effort to transform the city of Houston. MIKE BONEM is president and cofounder of Kingdom Transformation Partners, a church consulting and training firm based in Houston. JAMES H. FURR is senior church consultant with Union Baptist Association and adjunct professor of sociology at Houston Baptist University.
Table of Contents
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
Learning to Lead Change: A Transformational Journey.
Spiritual and Relational Vitality: The Driving Force in Congregational Change.
Laying the Groundwork for Change.
Discerning and Communicating the Vision.
Achieving and Maintaining Widespread Impact.
The Disciplines of Transformational Leadership.
Discipline One: Generating and Sustaining Creative Tension.
Discipline Two: Harnessing the Power of Mental Models.
Discipline Three: Enabling Team Learning.
Discipline Four: Practicing Systems Thinking.
The Art of Transformational Leadership.
Resource: An Annotated Bibliography of Useful Publications.
References.
The Authors.
About Leadership Network.
Index.
Leading Congregational Change Workbook.
About This Workbook.
VITALITY AND LEARNING DISCIPLINES.
Spiritual and Relational Vitality: The Driving Force of Transformational Change.
Discipline One: Generating and Sustaining Creative Tension.
Discipline Two: Harnessing the Power of Mental Models.
Discipline Three: Enabling Team Learning.
Discipline Four: Practicing Systems Thinking.
THE EIGHT-STAGE CHANGE PROCESS.
Stage One: Making Personal Preparation.
Stage Two: Creating Urgency.
Stage Three: Establishing the Vision Community.
Stage Four: Discerning the Vision and Determining the Visionpath.
Stage Five: Communicating the Vision.
Stage Six: Empowering Change Leaders.
Stage Seven: Implementing the Vision.
Stage Eight: Reinforcing Momentum through Alignment.
Resource A: Resource Organizations.
Resource B: An Annotated Bibliography of Useful Publications.
Resource C: Questionnaires, Inventories, and Other Data-Gathering Resources.
Resource D: Congregational Bodylife Model.
Resource E: Congregational Self-Assessment.
References.
The Authors.