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February 2004 |
Indiana church growth consultant writes book about keeping members
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Abingdon) - The Rev. Bob Whitesel, a Winona Lake, Ind., church grow consultant and writer for Abingdon Press ( www.abingdonpress.com ) has written a guide for congregations working for change without losing members - Staying in power: Why People Leave the Church Over Change, and What You Can Do About It
In his latest release, Whitesel says change is essential to every Christian congregation's ongoing health and vitality, yet change is also inherently threatening and often produces conflict between those who advocate radical and bold change in the church and those who prefer a more careful, incremental approach.
Change, or rather conflict about change, is one of the reasons most frequently cited when people leave the church, says Whitesel. "Sadly, it is often the advocates of change, those who have become excited about a new vision for where the church is going and have worked hard to implement that vision, who choose to leave when conflict erupts. This pattern of change, conflict, and exodus need not be inevitable," he says.
Building on the work of those who have studied organizational change and transition, Whitesel points to six distinct moments in the congregation's life when conflict over change, and the departure of members as a result, can either occur or be avoided. In this book he offers specific, helpful ideas for how church leaders can nurture the agents of change in their congregations while also fostering the good will of those who see it as their job to maintain stability and continuity with the church's past.
Filled with numerous examples of actual congregations that have either succumbed to conflict over change or worked through it, Staying Power will be helpful to all congregational leaders who wish to introduce substantive new directions into the life of the church without alienating a significant portion of its membership.
Dr. Bob Whitesel is Senior Editor of Strategies for Today's Leader, a magazine of Creative Church Consulting International. He lives in Winona Lake, Ind., and is a member of Calvary UMC in Syracuse. He also is author of Grow by Accident, Death by Planning and coauthor with Kend R. Hunter of A House Divided: Bridging the Generation.
Last updated on February 09, 2004