Coaching Change: Breaking Down Resistance, Building Up Hope

Tom Bandy has come to be known as one of today’s most insightful interpreters of congregational life and the cultural changes that are affecting it. In previous books he has addressed issues such as the addictive behaviors congregations exhibit, the cultural situation that makes this a “pre-Christian” era, and the organizational changes that must occur if bold new congregational systems are truly to work.

By evaluating the responses to all of these concerns, the author has heard a recurring set of questions: How do I help people overcome the fear of change? How do I persuade them to accept the cost? Why is there a sense that change is inherently unfaithful? When I go to my church next Sunday and drink coffee with that little group of people God has gathered in our place, how in the world do I convince them to take such risks?

Drawing on the penetrating analysis of contemporary cultural shifts that has come to be his trademark, Bandy offers detailed and pragmatic suggestions for how one can invite established church members into the mission of transforming their congregation into a place that calls and equips people to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

Thomas G. Bandy is an internationally-recognized church consultant and leadership coach. He works across the spectrum of church traditions, denominations, congregations, contexts, and cultures. Tom coaches transforming and transitioning congregations, church plants, multi-site and cross-cultural churches, and faith-based nonprofits. He is the president of Thriving Church Consulting LLC and can be found in his virtual office at ThrivingChurch.com. He is the author of several books on congregational leadership.