By Beth Kennett
Change is constant.
It is one thing we can count on. We may not know how it will happen, but we can be assured that it will happen.
Our society seems to think change is something that is happening to us. We speak of change as if it is out of our control, as if we are victims of it. I have been wrestling with this perspective on change and recently decided to do some intentional exploring on the subject. I had several conversations; almost every person I spoke with talked of change as happening to them. I have frequently thought of and responded to change as if it is something beyond my influence, something only to which I can respond. I did a quick search on definitions and etymology of the word “change.”
It was good to be reminded that change is first and foremost a verb, more recent definitions also list a noun, somewhat personifying the verb. In short, change is something that we do, not something that happens to us. I realize that this simplicity could easily be argued and there are many days when I could fall to either side of the argument.
Choices that make change healthy
Change offers possibilities-possibilities that allow us to make choices about how and what we will do. When we recognize that we have choices to make, we begin to notice the possibilities that are available to us and we begin to make decisions and choices; we begin to change things-situations, us, organizations, etc. Accepting that we have choices that make change healthy, affects our attitudes and outcomes in the decisions that we make.
Studies and research, as well as our own involvement, activity and attendance, are showing us that participation in congregational/faith-community life has and continues to dwindle. This is change! Does it have to happen to us?
What if congregations and faith community leaders shifted our perspectives to acknowledge that change is a verb? What if we asked the questions: How do we want to change? How do we want to be in our communities? What do we need to change in order to be the people and the church that God is calling us to be?
Thrive through change
Dr. Abigail Brenner, a psychiatrist who has written extensively on change, offers five tips to help one thrive through change: patience, persistence, practicality, positivity, and purpose. (July 05, 2011, In Flux, Psychology Today.) Dr. Brenner has used these tips in her practice predominantly with individuals; however, the tips will work with organizations and congregations as well.
Patience: Healthy change does not typically happen overnight. Congregations must be willing to talk about and explore the possibilities of change. Conversation takes time.
Persistence: Stay on the course of conversation and exploration to determine the best direction. Do not be distracted by unhelpful situations. Explore possibilities and dream about the future.
Practicality: Learn from what has worked well and from what might not have worked well in the congregation’s past. Be practical about how you proceed through the present and into the future.
Positivity: Always look for the possibilities. Looking for options creates openness and a sense of positivity that will allow the congregation/organization to be creative and see beyond the ordinary, while at the same time embracing the values of the organization.
Purpose: Know why you do what you do. Why are you a faith community and how are you different from the congregations geographically closest to you? What is your mission and purpose? Be true to who you are and to who God calls you to be.
Will these five tips keep a congregation from declining in numbers and finances? I do not know. I do know that these five tips will help individuals and congregations to incorporate healthy practices into processes of decision making that assist in intentional healthy change.
