Champions Fax Archive
LEVELS OF CHANGE - Part 2
Volume 3, Number 2
January 26, 1998
Sam Williams, pastor of Bay Marin Community Church, Professor of Pastoral
Leadership at Golden Gate Seminary and a consultant with the San Francisco
Peninsula Baptist Association completes this two part fax on Levels of
Change.
Bringing about change in a church is
difficult because it involves four levels
of change:
- A change of mind (knowledge)
- A change of heart (attitude)
- A change of lifestyle (behavior)
- A change of culture (institutional behavior)
Each level of change requires a different kind
of response:
- Information
brings about a change of mind.
Facts that support the reasons for change need to
be gathered and shared. They are more persuasive
than opinions. Facts alone don’t bring about
change though. In fact, they can precipitate
conflict because everyone will not agree on what
needs to be done or be ready to do it.
-
Relationship brings about a change of attitude. When conflict begins,
the natural tendency is to react against it and to counter with more
information. The problem at this level, however, is more emotional than
intellectual. The leader’s role is to intensify relationships, not conflict,
with the people who are struggling. This is difficult because the emotional
reaction is often directed personally at the leader. Stay close. Express
understanding. Help people through the fear, loss and grief that inevitably
accompany change.
- Experiences bring about a change of
lifestyle. Leaders need to give followers the opportunity to have the same
kind of experiences they have had, that have helped bring about their own
change. Experiences can be the reading of books, visiting other churches
who have successfully made changes, and especially having the opportunity
to visit with others like themselves who have been involved in a change
process. And then, finally, to begin to explore and experiment with small
changes that have a high likelihood of success, in order to build good
experiences and become comfortable with the desired change.
- Commitment brings about a change of culture. Commitment is the
cumulative result of good information, intensified relationships, and
explorative experiences. The mistake leaders often make is to move too
quickly for commitment, and to believe they have it when they have won a
vote or approval of a new plan. Culture is "the way things are done
around here". Cultures change slowly, with much difficulty, and as
the individuals who make up the culture change their minds, attitudes and
lifestyles.
There is still time to register for the Lay Mobilization Workshop,
March 1-4, in San Francisco and the Womens Ministry Consultants Forum,
March 18-20, in Colorado Springs. Call Linda Stanley at 800.765.5323.
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