Bob Whitesel, Preparing for Change Reaction: How to Introduce Change in Your Church. Wesleyan Publishing House, 2008.
Prequel: Whitesel, Staying Power
Referenced in: Overcoming Change Resistance, Creating Change Readiness
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Whitsel makes three unique contributions to the literature on congregational change. The first is described in chapter one as the two major efforts that are needed for effective congregational change:
- Strategy A – listening for change reactions and addressing each appropriately
- Strategy B – establishing change boundaries
Strategy A allows people to be heard and to know the leaders are concerned about their needs. It also increases communication between those pushing for change (change proponents) and those who are reticent about change (defenders of the status quo). Strategy B is an eight stage process (developed in chapter 7) to discover what values, standards, principles, and traits that are important to the church – those things congregants deem beyond changing. Often those reticent about change do not fear the process but rather the outcome of the change. They fear change will go too far. Thus, establishing boundaries for change alleviates anxiety, resistance, and antagonism.
Whitesel’s second unique feature is Part 2 – A Biblical Theology of Change.
Whitesel’s third contribution is his emphasis on the immediacy of issues. He cautions against being “long on talk but short on action.” In fact, in his chapter on building consensus, he explains research on a six-stage polarization process that causes change proponents to leave organizations and the critical factors that push a church out of one stage and into another. He warns how costly this can be for the church, and suggests how to address each stage (something developed more fully in his book Staying Power).
Whitesel tackles realities of congregational change that every church leader encounters but which no other material addresses, a sort of change-failure-prevention. I highly recommend this book.
From the Publisher
Many churches resist change because they fear that changing methodologies will require a change in core beliefs or values. Whitesel explodes that myth by offering conclusive evidence that God himself frequently changes the methods by which he deals with people without changing his holy character. This practical guide is designed to be used by church leaders with their boards as a tool for negotiating needed changes. The author compellingly makes the case that new methodology can and must be embraced without altering a churchs beliefs or mission. He then offers a series of exercises to be undertaken jointly by church leaders that will result in the production of a master plan for managing change effectively in the local church.
About the Author
Dr. Bob Whitesel is associate professor of graduate studies in ministry in the College of Graduate Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, Indiana, and president of C3 International (Creative Church Consulting, Intl.). He is a sought-after writer, speaker, consultant, and lecturer on the organic emerging church, church management, and church growth.
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