How To Bring Change When You Are NOT The Boss

I get e-mails from lots of young staff pastors across the country asking how they can bring about change in an existing church. The real question they have for me is this, "How can I bring about change when I'm not the boss?"  The following is a recent response to such a question:

First, you need to make sure you hear from God everyday.  I know that sounds familiar.  Maybe that is happening.  Maybe not.  But the first job of every Christ Follower and even more importantly every leader is to hear from God everyday.  Hear from Him and then risk it all on what He says.

Second, you can begin to initiate change within your silo of the church organization.  Change does not always come from the top.  Often, the most significant change comes from places other than the top.  And innovative change seldom comes from the top. I was with Alan Hirsch yesterday and he said something very profound; "the best critique of the bad is to do something better.  I would encourage you to avoid critique and to do what God tells you to do within your ministry area.  When you begin to do something better others will notice and when they ask you explain the change that has happened.

Comments

[Kevin Davis]

Good stuff - thanks for sharing.

[Ron Edmondson]

This is good Dave. We all find ourselves in these situations at some point in our career and especially in the church world where there are so many volunteers. good post.

[Mary Beth]

Great points! Love them both. It's so important to avoid the critique temptation. Great wisdom from Hirsch.

[Jesse "fuser" Santoyo]

Good Stuff

[Michelle]

Good advice in the church and in the workplace.

[DJ Berges]

Excellent!
It is very important not to give up.
Sometimes even thouhg we might start changes in our area, it won't be visible to all, but don't give up.
If your change is God-guided it will happen, sooner than later.
Just my 2c.

Blessings from El Salvador, Central America