Leading Congregational Change : A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey - Hardcover

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

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0787947652 ISBN 13: 9780787947651

Publisher: Jossey-Bass Inc Pub, 2000

Synopsis

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.

About 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

About the Author

JIM HERRINGTON is executive director of Mission Houston, an interdenominational, multicultural pastoral effort to transform the city of Houston.

MIKE BONEM is president and cofounder of Kingdom Transformation Partners, a church consulting and training firm based in Houston.

JAMES H. FURR is senior church consultant with Union Baptist Association and adjunct professor of sociology at Houston Baptist University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass Inc Pub
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0787947652
• ISBN 13: 9780787947651
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 185