LEAD June 2025 | Page 46

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I introduced myself and asked why she chose this service over the more traditional option. She responded,“ Don’ t get me wrong, I have a strong preference for the more traditional style of worship. However, my granddaughter does not connect with God through that form of worship. She connects through the contemporary service. I would much rather worship with my granddaughter and see her grow in her faith than have everything be the way I want it to be.”

That grandmother’ s heart unlocks a powerful reality about HOW to lead change.

If people have expectations about the way things should be and experience loss and fear about change, then how might we best move forward? Instead of stalling out, how can we invite those same people to pursue uncomfortable adaptive change with us? By helping them focus on something or someone they love that’ s more powerful than their loss. This grandmother was certainly disappointed not to worship as she had during her childhood. But her love for her granddaughter and her longing for her granddaughter to experience God triumphed over the loss.

worship style. No matter the topic, work through these questions on your own or with your Transformation Team:

• What is the change you are seeking? Is it a technical or adaptive change?

• What is the loss or fear( some) people might associate with that change?

• How can you provide the opportunity for people to grieve or work through that loss?

• Is there something people might love more than that loss that could motivate them to work through the loss?

• What are the implications of your answers for the pace of your changes?

So, she changed.

Consider the changes you seek in your church. Perhaps they’ re related to young people, pursuing greater ethnic diversity, or tangibly loving your neighbors. Or maybe they have to do with deepening discipleship, pursuing catalytic relationships, or revamping your