When our family moved from North Carolina to Texas, my husband and I bought a house that none of our kids had seen in a town where none of them had been.
We showed pictures and maps, doing our best to describe our great new town and the perfection of our new house, but the kids weren’t convinced that this transition was good or necessary.
They were leaving friends, a church they knew, a house where they had spent the last ten years and familiarity. They were giving it up for a change which we told them was going to be great.
Yeah, right!
Change in the church is not so different. My church is probably similar to yours. We’ve had changes in curriculum and programming and staff and space usage and buildings.
The reaction to change was a mix of anticipation, questioning, anxiety, hesitation, hopefulness, resentment, cautious acquiescence, and rebellion.
I’m not crazy enough to think that change will always be greeted with open arms and cheers … but, is there a right way to transition? Is there a way to minimize the anxiety and resentment and rebellion?
I think so.
When we transitioned to a new elementary curriculum, we learned these useful steps toward change.
1. Carefully think through the reasons for the change.
For us those reasons were:
- Our philosophy of children’s ministry changed and the old curriculum didn’t work with our new vision.
- The style of curriculum wasn’t working with the skill sets and available time of our volunteers.
- God clearly led us to something better.
Change is a big deal. Make sure you have solid reasons for it.
2. Diligently research before investing in change.
In our curriculum hunt research meant …
- Ensuring the changes were doctrinally sound. Great graphics and fun activities can’t compensate for doctrinal problems.
- Considering whether the change fit our vision and mission.
- Looking at our current resources to see if the change would require additional spending.
- Listening to other churches share their experiences and advice.
- Praying – a lot.
When our research convinced us, we bought the curriculum and began the transition steps. (Check out How to Choose a Sunday School Curriculum for ideas on getting started.)
3. Introduce the change to your paid staff.
If you have paid staff, do not skip this step. You can’t introduce new curriculum to paid staff and volunteers at the same time! If your paid staff doesn’t have a vision for the change, they won’t be able to convey that vision to your volunteers. I must say it one more time—introduce the change to your paid staff first.
- Do it well before the target transition date. Giving people time to ask questions and to study the change is essential.
- Clearly present the basics of the change.
- Present the vision for the change over and over. Your staff needs to understand why the change is happening and what the benefits will be.
- Pray some more—just keep praying!
4. Introduce the change to your volunteers.
For us, this meant a well-advertised meeting at a time convenient for most of our volunteers.
- Introduce the change personally with the full support of your staff. This is too important for an email.
- Clearly explain why you are making the change without criticizing the old way. Some volunteers loved the old way and might feel personally attacked if you denigrate what they love.
- Describe the improvements the change will bring.
- Allow plenty of time for thought and questions. Don’t take the questions personally. As much as you love the change, it’s not perfect and your volunteers will help you to see how to make it even better.
- Allow your volunteers time to grieve the loss of the known. When we transitioned to new curriculum, our veteran volunteers had been using the old one for ten years. It was comfortable to them. They knew what was going to happen every Sunday morning. We had to be sensitive to their feelings.
- Be patient and pray some more!
5. Implement the change.
Finally! But your work isn’t done yet.
- Be open to questions and complaints. Yes, complaints will come!
- Keep repeating the vision. Say it until it becomes part of the culture of your ministry.
- Be kind, but firm. There are rogue volunteers who are sure you don’t know what you’re doing. Be nice, but stick to the vision.
- And, keep praying!
6. Assess the change.
No change is perfect, so…
- Periodically review and evaluate.
- Survey your volunteers. Drop by a classroom and ask what they like about the change. Don’t be surprised when they tell you what they don’t like. Weigh the criticisms and address the valid ones.
- Allow the change to evolve until it is natural to your ministry. We are still thinking about ways to make our curriculum better, but it’s amazing to see how much our ministry has improved because of that initial change.
- And, yes, keep praying!
There’s a reason people say, “Change is great, you go first.” Your change won’t be easy and it might even hurt, but if you plan well and pray constantly, it will be worth it.
And our family’s move to Texas? All the kids made new, lasting friendships, two met their spouses and three still live here sixteen years later. And my hubby and I still live in that perfect house. Change can be great.
