Dale Galloway and Warren Bird, Innovative Transitions: How Change Can Take Your Church to the Next Level. Beacon Hill Press, 2007.
Referenced in:
- Leading Change and Transition
- Church Leadership Foundations, Research on Effective Churches
- Leadership in Conflict
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
This volume tells the stories of several churches that have experienced challenging transitions under a variety of circumstances, including:
- A congregation that was near closing its doors but experienced revitalization
- A church that could not conceive of a way beyond its demise but prayed diligently and witnessed a revival.
- A conflicted church that made peace and became more productive.
- An under-resourced and conflicted staff that learned how function as a ministry team.
- A discouraged church that found new life by tapping into existing talent.
The authors close by extracting from these stories ten general principles of congregational spiritual growth.
I have placed this book into three categories. It tells the story of how some congregations have embraced or initiated change that often involved dimensions of conflict but which always led to significant church renewal. The stories will both instruct and inspire.
From the Publisher
Change is vital to the life of a church. Pastors and church leaders continually seek new ways to improve their church’s health, community, and outward compassion. They study the trends, attend seminars, and research new programs. But when it comes to actually implementing or moving toward a transition, many leaders hesitate—uncertain how to initiate or shepherd the change. It’s one thing to want to transition—it’s another to know how.
In Innovative Transitions, well-known pastor Dale Galloway and church researcher Warren Bird team up to give church leaders practical methods to move their churches from comfortable maintenance to genuine, vibrant mission. They share 15 inspiring stories of successful turnaround churches, each of which models a unique style of transition. From leadership development to a renewed vision for outreach, they offer insight and transferable principles for church leaders to use—regardless of church size or denomination. Their innovative ideas will help leaders successfully implement change as their church transitions from one generation to another.
Filled with poignant scriptures, questions for discussion, and relevant examples, Innovative Transitions will sharpen your understanding of church growth and show you new opportunities to take Christ into the world.
About the Authors
Dale E. Galloway is dean of Asbury Theological Seminary’s Beeson International Center for Biblical Preaching and Church Leadership in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the former pastor of New Hope Community Church in Portland, Oregon, a congregation that he nurtured from a handful of parishioners in a drive-in theater in 1972 to more than 6,000 by the time he left. Dr. Galloway has authored 21 books such as On-Purpose Leadership, Starting a New Church, and Taking Risks in Ministry.
Warren Bird, Ph.D., is Research Director at Leadership Network, and co-author of 21 books on various aspects of church health and innovation. Bird researches cutting-edge churches and works with their leaders to multiply their evangelistic and disciple-making impact.
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