Leading change that changes you

“If they would just care more about young people, then we'd be able to welcome young people.”

“If they would just be willing to sing more contemporary music, then we could have a service that young people enjoy.”

“If they would just listen, then we could prioritize young people!”

Ever find yourself thinking something like this? If only others would change, then our church could finally move forward. I often share that sentiment! And it may be true: alongside people eager for change, even healthy churches will have people who approach change with hesitation and resistance.

The challenge of leading change in the church

It’s easy to point a finger at others’ attitudes and blame them for our church’s inability to change. But, perhaps unfortunately for church leaders like you and me, decades of experience leading long-term change in congregations suggests that leading change inevitably requires us to change as well. When we become deeply invested in the change we’re driving, our joys and frustrations often parallel how the change process is going. Over time, our emotional responses can push us to be increasingly anxious or increasingly innovative during times of change.

Wise change leaders are attuned to their emotions and how God is transforming them through the change process. When we start listening, we become more empathetic. As we grow in empathy, we realize that our own hopes and dreams have to die as new ones emerge. We start focusing on young people and become more open to new ideas. We try new ideas and may realize that our preferred way of doing something isn’t the best. So we start praying with our transformation team and become more sensitive to the Spirit’s prompting—even as we follow the Spirit into new territory and feel disoriented.

“Scripture is filled with examples of the costs and dangers of change leadership, such as the Old Testament prophets being persecuted, Jesus being crucified, the disciples being arrested, or Paul being shipwrecked, beaten, and stoned.” – Future-Focused Church

3 ways to embrace change as you lead change

Experiencing change inside ourselves while navigating cultural change in our congregation can be overwhelming! Here are three practices to help you embrace inner change so your church can focus on the future.

1. Cultivate self-awareness

Ministry leaders are often in positions to set the tone for change processes and help a congregation move forward. Effective change leaders pay attention to their strengths and weaknesses as well as their emotional and spiritual reactions. Sometimes our frustrations with others are justified. But other times, we might find that our reactions are actually due to our own need to change—or to previous adverse experiences we’re still processing.

In my second year as a youth pastor, I realized my own shortcomings were holding our youth leadership team back. I had a great team, a supportive pastor, and many engaged families. But my inability to translate the best research around youth ministry into a compelling vision for volunteers and parents left us stagnate. I knew I needed to change and grow in order for our youth ministry to change and grow. The temptation for me was to “see the speck” in my team's eyes and blame them. But if I had done that, our team would have never made the changes needed to facilitate faith beyond youth group.

So, I changed. I listened more to young people, their families, and my volunteers. My own mental models for youth ministry expanded. And I began studying group dynamics so I could become a better leader. Whether or not my ministry changed (it did), I was a better person at the end of this process because of the ways God changed me.

2. Stay rooted in Scripture

Change can be scary! Holding on to the things we cherish most helps lower our own anxiety as we attempt to stay sure-footed on solid ground. This is part of the reason people hold tightly to certain traditions or programs during seasons of change. Instead of holding onto the outward forms that values and traditions take (i.e., programs), hold onto the meaningful scriptures that undergird programs. Revisit impactful Bible verses and stories to remind your community of what God has done within you and who God is calling you to be. Allow these scriptures to remind you that a lot may change, but God hasn’t!

One passage that has been meaningful for me is Philippians 2:1–11. When I feel like I’m on shifting sand, I revisit Paul’s words to be reminded of our savior who gave up everything for me. Sometimes, I focus on the first few verses and remember there is comfort in Christ! Other times, I’m invited to follow Jesus’ self-emptying and obedience. It’s a reminder that God is with me and isn’t asking me to do anything that God hasn’t already done! This scripture has acted as a personal “there” on my own transformation journey.

“THERE represents your desired future reality or destination. If you were to picture your church six months, six years, or sixty years from now, this is what you want your church to be doing or what you might want it to look like.” – Future-Focused Church

3. Prioritize relationships outside of your ministry

During seasons of change—external and internal—it’s easy to let stress and anxiety take over. These emotions can become all-encompassing, and sometimes we forget that we’re more than our jobs and roles. Quality time with people outside of our ministry settings reminds us that we are more than what we do, we don’t always have to be the “pastor” in the room, and there’s no key performance indicator in having fun. FYI’s recent research into youth leader well-being and burnout revealed that spending time with family and friends is a practical way for youth leaders to prevent burnout and ensure ministry longevity. Ministry doesn't need to be all-encompassing—it's just one part of what makes us who we are.

Other clergy and extended family are two sources of friendship that have been essential during seasons of change in my life. Both of these groups understand different aspects of my identity and spirituality. Ministry leaders like myself empathize with the unique challenges of ministry as well as my need to be something other than a pastor sometimes. My extended family understands my history and the ups and downs of my life. They’re attuned to my emotions and can accompany me through those emotions in ways parishioners often can’t. These relationships keep me rooted in my sense of identity and purpose by pulling me away from the daily grind of ministry and into a space where I can process my own internal change.

Healthy leadership for the future

Wise leaders pay attention to the internal work that God is doing in them so that they can be less reactive, more proactive, and more Spirit-filled. Cultivating self-awareness, staying rooted in Scripture, and prioritizing relationships outside of ministry are powerful tools to help us navigate internal change. By becoming healthier people, we will also become healthier leaders who can more effectively lead our congregations into the spaces God calls us to go.

A step-by-step roadmap for leading your church through change

We believe the best days of the church are ahead. Church leaders can better navigate change by constructing a map that helps them navigate here (where they are now), there (where God is leading), who (their partners for the journey), and how (the path to navigate into the future). Future-Focused Church helps you craft a plan that will take your church from where it is now to where it longs to be.