Think. Pray. unlearn. Before You Make Changes

[Reimagine Curator]

12 Simple Principles in Changing a Church

By Chuck Lawless on Jul 08, 2025 

 

Most churches need to change at some level, but many leaders don’t know how to lead through change. In some cases, leaders who have tried to lead have been defeated when change doesn’t occur. Maybe these simple steps will help encourage leaders who face these situations:

1. Approach change with a willingness to change yourself. Good change agents are open to adjusting their own thinking as needed for the good of the kingdom. If you’re always right, you won’t lead others well through change.
2. Realize that leading through change without praying isn’t smart. Only God can change hearts, redeem traditions, and re-direct congregations. Perfunctory, surface-level praying doesn’t get us there. 
3. Pray that your most current change will be a positive one–and lay the groundwork for future change, too. If your congregation views today’s change as a positive move toward something better for God’s kingdom, they’ll be more willing to adopt change in the future. So, work hard to help them see any positives in your most current change situation. Build on those positives for the future.
4. Assume that change will likely be messy. It just is. Few people actually like change. If you know that change won’t be easy, though, you won’t be surprised when it’s messy. Plus, you’ll pray more.
5. Don’t worry about getting everybody on board. Even Jesus didn’t get support from all of His 12 disciples. I doubt you’ll do better than He did–buy you seldom need 100% support to move forward.
6. Do your homework. It’s likely that someone else has already tackled the change your church needs. Find out who’s already done it. Network. Ask questions. Take your time, and be humble enough to learn from others.
7. Always explain the “why’s” for the change. You may differ with me, but I’m convinced that most believers will be willing to consider change if they understand the “why” behind the move. It’s when they don’t understand that they sometimes balk at change. 
8. Be patient with most change. Emergencies require immediate action, but much change can be implemented gradually. Jesus could have changed his disciples in a heartbeat, but He invested hours, days, months, and years in them.
9. Change one person and one group at a time. If you want to change your church, start with individuals who are already listening to you. Expand to other groups (e.g., small groups, deacons, etc.). Change enough people and groups, and your church can be changed without a vote.
10. Recognize that your congregation might be at a disadvantage as you ask them to change. Often, we spend months considering change before we present it to a congregation – and we then expect our folks to get on board quickly within days or weeks. We want them to trust us, but we sometimes give them too little time to understand and consider the change. 
11. Celebrate what’s working, and say “thanks” when a congregation changes. Don’t ignore the good stuff while you’re seeking change – and express gratitude to a church that’s willing to step into change. 
12. Keep praying all the way through the change process. If you follow this one step, you might find the change much more positive in the end (see that point above). Leaders who lead from their knees often find courage, wisdom, and backbone there–and they might need all three to lead a church through change. Enlist a few prayer warriors, and saturate the change in prayer! 

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