The Change Equation - Holy Discontent Pt. 2

YOU CAN TRY TO COMMAND CHANGE - BUT IT WON'T WORK 
Leading a group of people to accept something new, to rise above their inaction, objections or apathy can be one of the most challenging endeavors. Experts in organizational leadership have spent years studying groups and those who lead them to discern key strategies that work - they also discover many strategies that fail their intended results.

Church leadership is challenging in many respects. There is no real leverage to use to compel others toward a certain action or decision. Bosses of employees can leverage paychecks, performance reviews and the threaten demotion or loss of employment. This does not mean Pastors or Christian leaders are without resource.

YOU CAN CREATE A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE
What can aid in creating the initial desire or openness to move, adjust or change? What actions can set the stage for the Spirit to create Holy Discontent? 

AFFIRM GOD'S WORD
God's word provides a perfect picture of what he desires-in the world, in us and in our churches. Holy Scripture reveals God's character and His will in both command and in narrative. One of the ways we create momentum is by clearly declaring God's word in our gatherings.

ACCURATELY ASSESS YOUR CORPORATE CONDITION
The power of scripture  proclaimed accurately diagnoses our thoughts, our hearts, it reveals our motives. The word of God functions like a surgeons knife, slicing the flesh to reveal the sickness in order to restore health. It will leave scars, it could be painful but it is our remedy for life. Making sure to include corporate applications with the guidance of the Spirit's wisdom may be painful but ultimately purifying. 

ANNOUNCE GOD'S GRACE
The liturgy in our church's gathered worship guides us to confess our sin and need of grace and then after confession is made we hear and receive the assurance of God's grace. Exasperated leaders often let their flocks have it, sharing more from their frustrations in the hopes that they will respond with a different action. Some are motivated by negative information, most are motivated by a positive message of grace and love. Faithful obedience and following Jesus come more readily from a message of grace than one of condemnation. I love my friend Mark Hallock's book: God's not done with your church -it's a hopeful message of God's goodness and patience with struggling churches.

GUIDE THE CONGREGATION FORWARD  
I've long had a prophetic bent easily declaring, even accurately, the current condition or circumstances of a group or congregation. What's been in short supply in my own leadership is declaring that there is a hopeful future and a way forward. This is where vision comes into play.

And that's where we'll head next. 

Questions for Reflection
1. Do I seek to influence in a demanding or harsh way?  How so?
2. Am I a good steward in proclaiming God's word accurately? Do I trust it to do the work only it can do? 
3. Have I announced a message of grace and pointed the way forward for those I'm responsible to lead? How can I do that today?