Alan Nelson and Gene Appel, How to Change Your Church Without Killing It. Word Publishing, 2000.
Referenced in: Leading Change and Transition
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Nelson and Appel draw upon extensive research as well as their own experience to help leaders manage change and transition, from pre-work to the point in which the new realities are anchored into congregational life. It applies the best current thinking on leadership and change agency to congregational life. There is one drawback – overload. All but the most adept social architects will find the processes too elaborate to understand or implement. So do not buy the book hoping to find a fool-proof, easy-to-follow, step-by-step mechanism for change (can any text on congregational change can do that?). On the other hand, no other book contains as much useful information on change as it relates to churches. Each chapter presents change principles, often interlaced with case studies, inventories, and exercises to help internalize the concepts. At the end of each chapter is an excellent list of in-depth questions and answers. Topics include examining the underlying values that motivate your congregation, anatomy of change, the emotional side of change, how to keep from sinking an improvement plan, developing change vision, designing a course, working through transition and conflict, persevering when faced with two-steps-forward-three-steps-back, celebrating victories, and cutting losses.
From the Publisher
If you sense that your church’s best days are ahead, use this book’s guidelines for deciding where and what kind of change to implement. Then tackle Mellado, Appel, and Nelson’s strategy for wise planning and team building so your goals will find rich fulfillment.
The authors authoritatively cover the elements of initiating change in a church body, addressing such topics as:
- Examining what motivates you
- Getting below the skin of improvement
- Honoring past traditions while developing new ones
- Understanding the emotional side of change
- Identifying opinion leaders in your church
- Determining where you want to go as a body
- Creating a transition plan Sailing the “leader ship”
- Making conflict work for you
- Enjoying the benefits of improved ministry
Though many American churches are fading in number and effectiveness, yours can stay on course. Take advantage of others’ experience: How to Change Your Church (Without Killing It) contains many success and crash-and-burn stories, as well as pointed lessons about how to guide your church through innovation with the least pain possible.
Embark on the journey through church change with these able guides and make your local church body irresistible to believers and seekers alike.
About the Authors
Jim Mellado is president of the Willow Creek association, which now has a membership of more that 3,700 congregations. A former Olympic athlete with a Harvard MBA, Mellado is an in-demand church network and organizational expert whose insight has helped the Willow Creek Association become a leading model in the 21st Century ministry. He and his wife, Leanne, reside in South Barrington, Illinois.
Alan Nelson, Ed.D. is the founding/lead pastor of Scottsdale Family Church and leadingideas.org. He is the author of a dozen books and columnist for Rev. and The ChurchReport magazines, as well as serving as a church change trainer/consultant.
Gene Appel is senior pastor of Central Christian Church in Las Vegas. During his 13 years of leadership, the Central Christian Church membership has grown from 450 to more than 4,000 members, making it one of the fastest growing church in America. He is a frequent confernece speaker sho addresses the issues of transition and change in churches. He and his wife, Barbara, reside in Las Vegas, Nevada.
***For additional information on this resource, including reviews, click the bookstore links. Check the reference at page top or the links below for resource guides on related topics.***
Related Areas
See Other Resources on Change and Transition in Churches:
- Change and Transition in Churches, Intro
- Change Concepts and Theories
- Overcoming Change Resistance, Creating Change Receptiveness
See Resource Guides on Over 100 Areas of Ministry Leadership: