Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom. 12:1-2)
While these verses pertain to a broader, spiritual application than some of the change we must manage in the Church, it does provide insight into the change process which involves the mind. This transformation (same Greek word, metamorphoo) is referenced in 2 Corinthians 3:18 — “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Hence, when we are talking about the renewing of the mind, it is undoubtedly taking us into Christ-like thinking.
What We Need to Learn about Christ-like Thinking in Managing Change
Remember the following truths from Romans 12:1-2.
1) Christ-like thinking begins with yielding to God.
2) Christ-like thinking results in doing the will of God.
Church leaders, if you and the rest of the congregation do not have or are not seeking the mind of Christ when implementing change, you are heading into a field of land mines. Implementing such change could blow up on you at any time, often taking you unaware, and leaving behind a great amount of damage.
Order the Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide for this content along with brief thoughts about each of the above two points. It also includes the need for Christ-like attitudes and actions.
For More on Being Christ-like, Go To: Resources about Christlikeness in the Church
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