Leading Congregational Change

A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey

Jim Herrington, Mike Bonem, James H. Furr, Jim Herrington, Mike Bonem, James H. Furr

• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781506463315
• eBook ISBN: 9781506463322
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Church

Bold transformation is needed in many of the congregations that cover the American landscape, argue Jim Herrington, Mike Bonem, and James H. Furr, authors of Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey. Drawing on their more than one hundred years of combined experience in a wide variety of church-related positions and a deep commitment to the biblical role of the local church, the authors present practical and concrete principles and concepts applicable across a broad spectrum of congregations.

Leading Congregational Change presents a simple, memorable, and transferable framework along with principles of congregational transformation--such as God's call for transformation, the central role of spiritual vitality, the sequential nature of effective change, and the learning disciplines. Illustrations and action items offer adaptable suggestions and starting points for discussion.

Leading Congregational Change is designed primarily for pastors and other congregational leaders who sense that things are not "just fine" in their churches and realize that deep change is needed. Judicatory staff and church consultants will also find the model for congregational transformation helpful. Individual ministries within a congregation, new congregations, and parachurch organizations can also use it to facilitate their own transformation. A church will grow when it understands and is genuinely committed to demonstrating and sharing the gospel in relevant ways. Growth will be manifested in the deeper commitment of its members. And more people in the community will hear God's call and become faithful disciples of Christ. Leading Congregational Change is a wise and faithful guide for the journey toward such transformation.

3

Index

A

accountability: performance standards and, 135;

personal preparation and, 31;

team learning and, 95–96;

in teams versus working groups, 128;

of transformational leaders, 31, 73, 95

acknowledgment of reality, 153.

See also current reality

Acts: 1:6, 111;

2, 16;

2:42–47, 17;

2:43, 47b, 15;

6:1–7, 18;

11:1–18, 18

Alban, B. T., 53

Aldrich, J., 16

alignment, reinforcing momentum through (stage 8 of change process), 82–91.

See also momentum

Allender, D., 172

alternate scenarios, 120

Ammerman, N. T., 168

Amos: 4:13, 16

Anderson, V., 148

Apostles’ Creed, 34

Argyris, C., 133

B

Barker, J. A., 110

Barna, G., xiv, 33, 83

Barrett, L., 161

Barton, R. H., 169

Bass, B., 93

Bass, D., 170

Bateson, G., 145

Bennis, W., 10

Bible study, 30, 38, 45, 72, 74, 79, 85, 87, 104, 122, 123, 140

Bird, W., 170

Blackaby, H. T., 4, 7, 8, 19

Blanchard, K. H., 99

Boesak, A., 165

Bolsinger, T., 158, 172

Bonem, M., 168, 172

Bosch, D., 161

Branson, M. L., 165, 168

Brueggemann, W., 162

Bunker, B. B., 53

Burns, J. M., 93

C

Calhoun, A., 167

Carter, C., 164

causal loop diagrams, 148

change: complexity and interrelatedness of, 150;

conflict and, 7–8;

first- and second-order, 145;

for maintaining status quo, 152;

high leverage, 75–77, 82, 86, 148, 154;

incremental, ix, xiv, 5, 44, 55, 95, 112, 199–120, 127–128, 141, 145.

Seealso congregational transformation; transformational leadership

change process, 27–91;

stage 1 (making personal preparation) of, 28–33;

stage 2 (creating urgency) of, 33–39;

stage 3 (establishing the vision community) of, 40–47;

stage 4 (discerning the vision) of, 48–60;

stage 5 (communicating the vision) of, 60–66;

stage 6 (empowering change leaders) of, 68–75;

stage 7 (implementing the vision) of, 75–82;

st...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Table Of Contents
• Preface to the Second Edition
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Learning to Lead Change: A Transformational Journey
• Spiritual and Relational Vitality: The Driving Force in Congregational Change
• Laying the Groundwork for Change
• Discerning and Communicating the Vision
• Achieving and Maintaining Widespread Impact
• The Disciplines of Transformational Leadership
• Discipline One: Generating and Sustaining Creative Tension
• Discipline Two: Harnessing the Power of Mental Models
• Discipline Three: Enabling Team Learning
• Discipline Four: Practicing Systems Thinking
• The Art of Transformational Leadership
• Appendix: Resources for Congregational Change Leaders
• The Authors
• Index