Leading Congregational Change : A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey (Workbook) [Paperback]

Mike Bonem (Author), James H. Furr (Author), Jim Herrington (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 10, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0787948853 | ISBN-13: 978-0787948856 | Edition: 1

A Leadership Network Publication

With this much-needed handbook, the authors brilliantly combine their experience guiding dozens of churches through the change process with both the study of Christian disciplines and the sophisticated understanding of such important business thinkers as John Kotter on leading change and Peter Senge on learning organizations. In this eminently readable book the authors have distilled their insights and practices into simple but powerful concepts for leading congregations, whether long established or recently formed, through profound change.

Leaders using this guide will also be interested in the companion Leading Congregational Change Workbook, which offers assessment questions, planning worksheets, activities, and case examples for each stage of the process.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a landmark book for churches and change. Effecting change is never easy in congregations. Leading Congregational Change is a practical guide for congregational leaders that includes spiritual wisdom and its application from the best thinkers of our day." (Bob Buford, founding chairman, Leadership Network)

"Leading a church to change from being tradition- or program-driven to being purpose-driven is a task filled with all kinds of potentially explosive and divisive issues. This is a book you ought to read before you change anything." (Rick Warren, author, The Purpose-Driven Church)

"A creative and helpful guide for assisting congregations through the necessary process of change by weaving together firm biblical foundations, the best of what's available from the social sciences, and insightful examples from the years of experience the authors have had in working with churches." (Craig Van Gelder, professor of congregational mission, Luther Seminary, ELCA) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

When two-thirds of this nation's congregations are witnessing flat or declining membership rates, something has to change. But bound by tradition we often resist the very change our congregations need to thrive. Our challenge: revitalize our congregations and create a new center, one that will give church leaders a solid foundation for growing and reinvigorating congregations in the joyful spirit of Christianity. Written by three distinguished church consultants, Leading Congregational Change offers proven processes and tools for accomplishing this goal and revitalizing churches of any size and across the broad spectrum of denominations.With this much-needed handbook, the authors brilliantly combine their experience guiding dozens of churches through the change process with both the study of Christian disciplines and the sophisticated understanding of such important business thinkers as John Kotter on leading change and Peter Senge on learning organizations. In this eminently readable book the authors have distilled their insights and practices into simple but powerful concepts for leading congregations, whether long established or recently formed, through profound change.The central component of their original change model is for congregations to first nurture spiritual and relational vitality-that is, the creative power that faithful people experience together as they passionately pursue God's vision for their lives. Then, drawing examples from thriving churches, the authors offer long-term support for building upon this kind of vitality through eight well-considered stages. These include personally preparing for change, creating a sense of energy and urgency, and establishing a "vision community"-a diverse group of key members who work together to collaboratively discern and shape the church vision, share it with the broader congregation, and implement it through specific action plans.Recognizing that individual and church transformation go hand in h --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (February 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787948853
• ISBN-13: 978-0787948856
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #512,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best in Class, July 6, 2000

By 

Jared Roth (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leading Congregational Change : A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey (Hardcover)

As the General Supervisor of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in the United States, I am constantly looking for leading edge thinking to resource our 5,000 licensed ministers. The authors of LEADING CONGREGATIONAL CHANGE are much more than just brilliant theorists or students of change theory. They are practitioners who have successfully piloted their recommended change process and offer this excellent book to help leaders in congregations seeking true and lasting change.

LEADING CONGREGATIONAL CHANGE recognizes the complexities and difficulties in bringing real change to established congregations. No quick fix or limited approach produces the fundamental changes needed to position many established congregations for future vitality. The authors apply current change theory to the local church in a sequential and understandable way.

I purchased multiple copies of this book and distributed them to Foursquare District Supervisors across the U.S., recommending that they encourage pastors in their regions to use this excellent resource.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Paradigm for Congregational Transformation, May 27, 2000

By 

Jack Dennison - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leading Congregational Change : A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey (Hardcover)

Jim Herrington and co-authors Mike Bonem and James Furr have written an absolutely stellar book entitled, "Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey."

Jim has previously written about the three levels at which transformation must occur, "What is needed is a radical transformation of individual believers and local congregations in order that we might begin to see transformation in the city." (See City-Reaching: The Road to Community Transformation)

He asserts that individuals, local congregations and the City Church as a whole must be transformed in order to transform the city. The terrible reality is that in nearly every city in America we find 70% - 80% of local congregations so unhealthy as to be incapable of sustaining community impact. The local congregation is in dire need of revitalization.

The authors present a Congregational Transformation Model that integrates three interactive and interdependent components; spiritual and relational vitality, an eight-stage process for change, and four essential learning disciplines.

The authors write, "Spiritual and relational vitality forms the heart of the transformation process. Congregations without and adequate level of vitality will not be able to sustain significant change. A congregation that is not committed to following God or that is experiencing significant discord within the body will find it virtually impossible to follow the difficult path of transformation.

"The eight-stage change process is the sequential component of the model that gives form and direction to the transformation. It is not enough to know that change is needed, or even to have a clear image of the church's future. The challenge is to create a realistic way to get there. The eight stages give structure and sequence to the process of moving from today's reality to a distant tomorrow.

"The third component represents a set or learning disciplines that are essential for the leaders who will guide the transformation. Without these disciplines, the many hurdles that are encountered in the long journey are probably insurmountable."

These experienced congregational change leaders are insightful, practical, and powerfully compelling. This is a must read for every leader concerned with community transformation.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leading Congregational Change, May 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Leading Congregational Change : A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey (Hardcover)

This book does not offer simplistic answers to a complex issue. Instead, it provides tested, seasoned directions, discussions, and examples for leading congregations to a "preferred future". It's a must read for every church leader.