Mary K. Sellon, Daniel P. Smith, and Gail F. Grossman, Redeveloping the Congregation: A How To For Lasting Change, Alban Institute, 2003.
Referenced in: Leading Change and Transition
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
The authors “baptize” John P. Kotter’s eight-stage change process and apply it to congregational life. They demonstrate how deep, systemic change cannot be done unless in the context of redeveloping the whole congregation. Like Kotter, they stress the importance of process and orderly sequence, and how each step is broken into small projects that contribute to the whole.
From the Publisher
What makes it possible for a church to reverse course from decline or stagnation into longlasting vitality? How can a church immigrate from a congealing present into a compelling future? What can a congregation do to experience continuous, deep change rather than just temporary, surface improvement? How does a person lead redevelopment?
The three authors of this book address these and other questions by building on an eight-step framework for lasting change developed by John P. Kotter, noted former professor of organizational behavior at Harvard Business School. His work on organizational change is heralded in the secular world as foundational, and Smith, Sellon, and Grossman have found that his findings hold true for congregations as well.
Each chapter in this book comprises three sections: mentor, companion and coach. The mentor section discusses principles and concepts to be addressed in each of the eight steps; the companion section gives readers a sense of what leading change is actually like for a congregational leader; and the coach section provides specific ways for leaders to develop the unique change processes that will be effective in their church. Foreword by Anthony G. Pappas.
About the Author
Mary K. Sellon is a United Methodist minister who has pastored in new church start and redevelopment settings as well as worked with leader development regionally and nationally. She is a certified professional co-active coach who helps clergy and congregational teams find effectiveness and fulfillment in their work.
Daniel P. Smith, a United Methodist minister, has resourced congregations in a variety of ways. He has served as a pastor, a district superintendent, a judicatory executive, and currently as a coach and consultant. He also is a certified professional co-active coach who works with clergy and congregational teams.
Gail F.Grossman is an active laywoman in the United Methodist Church and provides training and coaching for pastors and leadership teams.
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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: