Every visionary pastor must contend with the pace of change within their church. Some leaders implement transitions so rapidly that they find themselves departing before they have even unpacked their offices. Conversely, others hesitate for so long that they eventually become part of the very institutional inertia they initially sought to overcome.
Determining the ideal speed for church transformation is complex. Thom Rainer, an expert in church revitalization, suggests that the timeline depends on unique local factors known only to the leader on the ground. While revitalization strategists offer general timeframes, the leader must rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to determine the right moment to act. There are three critical considerations for any leader aiming for change that sticks in churches.
Steady Change Is Change.
While it is tempting to rush the process, a revitalizer must first understand the history behind established traditions and even the placement of furniture. Through intentional conversation and active listening, a broader picture of the congregation emerges. Rather than fretting over the pace, leaders should view steady progression as a positive movement of God. Progress is the opposite of regression and should be celebrated as a step in the right direction, particularly when identifying stagnation indicators.
As a pastor of an established church, I have realized that change is never easy. While change is propagated in church members’ lives daily, the inside of the church stays stagnant for the most part. People sit in the same pew, classrooms are never updated, and programs are often repeated, even if a small handful of people are participating. Long-term members might even resist the slightest deviation from regular activities and thus drive the revitalization pastor out of the church, even though they hired him to be a change agent. Instead of becoming a statistic, become a steady change agent that embraces the uniqueness of the local church and culture. See change not as one-and-done but a long-term movement forward to achieve the goals that the local church has for themselves. Steady change is strategic and spirit-led. Through a willing heart, a visionary spirit, and obedience to God, the church and pastor can lead change that helps the church reach its community like never before.
Take Strategic Action Steps.
There is no actual timetable for ‘fixing’ things inside the local church. You must remember that the church’s decline did not happen overnight and will not be reversed in the first quarter of your leadership or even the first year. But progress will be made over time through proper planning, visionary leadership, and obedience of God’s people. I use a 3P process that you might find helpful in your revitalization efforts.
- Plan. Develop an action plan of all activities that need to be accomplished in the next five years. Realize that things will move up and down the list depending on needs, and items may need to be added because they were unforeseen. Put the plan into action by taking concrete steps to accomplish the low-hanging fruit, which will help develop trust with the members and excitement for future accomplishments. Put the effort in to win people and win progress. With any plan without action, it’s just a plan.
- Produce. Without action; results will not ever come about. Make sure you produce early wins. Wins create a sense of momentum that encourages the discouraged, provides hope for the future, and excites the ones who brought you in to be the change agent.
- Progress. Each step taken is a step into the future. Be strategic in taking actions that honor the past, celebrate the present, and lean into the future. Create an atmosphere of honoring the church’s history and those who have stayed during the decline. Enable them to feel part of the growth that will come by having them submit ideas or be a part of preparing for guests as the church gears up to connect with the community.
Stimulate Cooperation and Community.
As the decline happened in the church, blame became the consistent message that was heard over and over again. Blaming the community for changing, blaming members for leaving, and blaming the denomination for not helping. Instead of blaming others, allow the church to pray, repenting of past wrongs and praying that God would help them submit and commit to the changes to come. The most significant role of a revitalizing pastor is to preach, teach, share, and commit to unity in the body. It is not always easy, but through a godly example, people will see faithfulness in action. A note of caution, unity at all costs is too costly to the revitalization effort, but unity in the mission, vision, and godly direction is essential.
The heart behind any revitalization effort is to see the church reach the community. It should not be about membership or tithing increases. Those will come if the church is willing to prepare for guests for the greater good of the community. Through long-term partnerships, the church will have lasting relationships with its neighbors and see a rebound from its decline. Begin to see the community as a partner, not an adversary, and watch how God blesses those relationships.