Several years ago, a generous church member invited me to go with him to watch a heavyweight fight in Las Vegas. I couldn't help but notice the signs. They're everywhere: big signs, little signs, blinking, flashing, moving signs, even talking signs. It was dazzling.
They don't have a lot to say, but they definitely know how to say it, I thought.
It's just the opposite in the church. We have everything ...
A friend is on a search committee seeking a full-time worship leader. So far they have sifted through more than 100 names. Picky? Yeah, but the committee has to satisfy five culturally defined generations that now populate most churches. Each has its own taste in worship, and each thinks the other four are a bit off-the-wall. So the search is difficult.
When you propose a new program or shut down an outdated ministry, you're asking people to change on four different levels: mind, heart, lifestyle, and culture. Each level of change requires a different kind of response:
The key to a change of mind is information. Facts that support the reasons for change need to be gathered and shared. They are more persuasive than opinions. Facts alone, though, don't bring about change. In fact, they can precipitate conflict because everyone will not agree on what needs to be done or be ready to do it.
Printer view of these results
