One of the most important issues in managing change in the church is to know the difference between what can change and what should never change. What are the negotiables versus the non-negotiables, the variables versus the invariables?
In Managing Change Distinguish Between Non-Negotiables and Negotiables
Non-Negotiables:
God’s Word never changes. God, His character and truth, remain the authoritative standard for all time.
The church’s purpose to love God and love others never changes. Love is an overriding theme throughout Scripture.
Negotiables:
Methods, forms and strategies for reaching God’s purposes and teaching God’s Word often must change to meet the needs of the moment and the times in which we live, as well as the people we serve. The Apostle Paul said, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Cor. 9:22).
Being able to distinguish between the two provides perspective when presented with change. Failing to distinguish between the two often brings problems. Many divisions in churches have stemmed from changes made in methodology, forms or strategies … the negotiables rather than the non-negotiables.
This brings us to some questions we must ask:
- How well are we communicating what is most important?
- How much are we building into our churches the need to line up all we do under God’s purposes for us?
Look at Jesus for an example. When He laid out the greatest commandments, He not only stated what was most important but reinforced it by adding “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matt. 22:36-40).
We must do the same, putting everything else we do under the banner of love … love for God and love for people.
Learn 3 implications of all of this in the Steering the Church Toward God’s Purposes Leadership Guide which includes the content on this page and more pertinent information about our church purpose.
For More, Go To: Church Purpose Resources
All Posts about Change Management:
- Managing Change According to Church Purpose?
- Body Life Critical to Change Management
- Body Life Provides Safeguards During Change
- Overcoming Resistance to Change
- Managing Change Well Takes Christ-like Thinking
- Managing Change Well Takes Christ-like Attitudes
- Managing Change Well Takes Christ-like Actions
- Power to Navigate Change Well
- Power of Gospel Gives Perspective in Change Management
- Grace Bookend Your Change Process?
- The Spirit Helps Us Navigate Change
- Power for Change in the Name of the Lord
- Change in His Name
- Change For His Name’s Sake
- Change Possible Because of Resurrection Power
- A Change Process Leading to Growth
- Usefulness of Scripture in Change Management
- Bible Verses to Help in the Change Process
- Need to Make Changes? First Ask, Seek, Knock.
- Guiding People to Navigate Change Well
- Servants Not Controllers of the Change Process
- Shepherds Help People Navigate Change
- Navigating Change May Require Demolishing Strongholds
When making any sort of change in church programs, I remember what a seasoned leader once said “make turns as if you were turning a huge ship – one degree at a time, otherwise the ship may break into pieces”.
Great advice, Linda. Thanks for sharing it. Many of us have probably seen local churches break apart due to the way change was handled.
I am really blessed with this inspiring insights. Change cannot happen overnight otherwise the church will be dismantled. Change takes place at a time without members realizing it. I strongly agree with this statement that; “change will only take place when we know what is changeable and what is not changeable.” I am really blessed thanks very much.
I praise God that this has been such a blessing to you, Nocksy. Yes, we tend to be able to handle only so much change at a time. Even when the change is good and needed, too much change at too fast of a pace can do more harm than good, even breaking a church apart. It is so important that as leaders we “keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25) who knows what people are ready to handle.