How to Lead Change in Your Church (Without Losing Your People)

4 days ago 13

Growing up in rural Northern Ireland, I spent many long summer days helping on our neighbor’s sheep farm. One sunny Saturday morning, the shepherd told me we’d be moving the sheep from the lower field to the upper field, where fresh green grass awaited them.

It sounded simple enough—until he added with a knowing smile, “Sheep don’t like change, so keep your wits about you.”

He was right. What followed was a chaotic mix of chasing sheep, dodging a few butting ones, watching others run off in the wrong direction, and even seeing a few sheep risking injury by leaping over walls. But eventually, we got them all moved. And despite the struggle—for both shepherd and sheep—there was deep satisfaction seeing them settled, content, and flourishing in their new pasture.

Leading a church through change is comparable. As pastors and leaders, we are called to shepherd God’s people: not just to keep them safe, but to guide them toward greater spiritual health and fruitfulness. Change is rarely easy. It can be messy, stressful, and slow. But for the glory of God and the good of his people, a dynamic part of our calling is to keep leading our people to fresh green pastures.

So how do we lead our churches through change with wisdom, patience, and courage?

1. Identify what changes & steps are needed
2. Pause, pray & plan before making changes
3. Execute change with clarity & sensitivity
4. Prepare to endure some turbulence
5. Lead amidst the new norm

1. Identify what changes & steps are needed

Whether you’re serving in a young church plant that’s lost its way, a revitalization where tradition has stifled vitality, or a larger congregation where activity abounds but direction is lacking, the first step is to prayerfully discern where change is needed and why.

To lead well, we must begin with a clear, biblical vision of what we believe God is calling our church to be. Ask yourself: “If I were to serve here for the next twenty-five years, what kind of church would I long to see this become?” That question can help shape your vision and clarify what steps are needed to move in that direction.

Not all changes can be implemented at once, so it can be a wise step to triage the areas that need attention first, and then to lay out realistic goals for change in the next five years of your ministry. Afterwards, re-evaluate and plan for the next season—and so forth.

When I stepped into my current revitalization context nine years ago in Belfast, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of change that was needed. I reached out to a seasoned pastor for advice. He suggested, “Start with your Sunday morning service. Envision what you’d like that to become, and work on that.” That counsel gave me clarity and focus.

Applying the regulative principle, which teaches that we worship not according to our own ideas but according to God’s instructions in his Word, I asked myself in prayerful reflection: What would it look like for us to sing the gospel, pray the gospel, preach the gospel, and show the gospel through baptism and the Lord’s Supper in our context? With that vision in mind, I saw the need for significant change to our worship style, song selection, approach to the Lord’s Supper, and level of depth in our expository preaching. From there, I could begin crafting a plan to move us forward.

Whatever the context and needs of your own particular church, take time to envision the kind of gospel-shaped health you long to see. Then identify the specific changes that will help your church move towards that vision. You won’t be able to tackle everything at once, but you can start somewhere. Focus on one or two key areas, set a timeframe, and begin the journey.

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2. Pause, pray & plan before making changes

Once you’ve identified the changes that are needed, the next step isn’t immediate action. A vital yet often overlooked part of leading a church through change is prayer. Bring the proposed changes before the Lord, asking for wisdom and clarity on how to proceed.

I remember one particular moment when we sensed a need to change our song selection and music style. We had a faithful group of older members who had served on the worship team for years alongside a younger generation of musicians eager to serve and introduce some new songs. I agreed that change was needed, but I didn’t know how to approach the older team without causing hurt or seeming ungrateful for their years of service. So I paused and prayed. I asked the Lord to guide us in this situation. Remarkably, within a year, those older musicians came to me and said they felt it was time to step aside and let the next generation step up. Not every change unfolds this smoothly. Nonetheless, that experience taught me the power of prayerful patience before taking action.

Before making changes, it’s also important to receive consultation. For instance, be sure to consult your church’s constitution or bylaws to ensure changes are made “decently and in order” (1 Cor 14:40). Additionally, take soundings from trusted voices in the church. Fellow elders will be essential here, but it’s also wise to listen to longstanding members who know much of the church’s history and culture. I recall one elder offering me feedback during a season of change: “I think you’re trying to do too much too soon. It would be wise to make haste more slowly.” I thought I was already moving at a snail’s pace! But his words helped me realize that, for many in the congregation, it felt like everything was changing all at once. So we paused, re-evaluated, and held back some items on the agenda.

Take soundings from trusted voices in the church. It’s wise to listen to longstanding members who know much of the church’s history and culture.

You might also consider a teaching series to prepare the congregation for the intended changes. When we sensed the need to revise our governance structures, I preached on the Bible’s teachings on leadership, what elders and deacons are, and church government. That teaching laid a foundation for fruitful change and lasting health in our church.

So before you act: pause, pray, and plan. These steps can help ensure the change you lead is wise, thoughtful, and Spirit-led.

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3. Execute change with clarity & sensitivity

Once a prayerful and thoughtful plan is in place, it’s time to begin the work of implementation. This is where vision meets action.

Clear communication and patient leadership are absolutely essential here.

If your plan involves teaching, schedule a sermon series that lays out the biblical foundations for the change.
If it involves leadership conversations, begin meeting with key individuals.
If your church’s constitution requires formal notice before congregational meetings, make sure those steps are followed carefully and transparently.

At this stage, communication is everything. Go the extra mile to ensure people feel informed and included. Avoid any practice or appearance that decisions are being made unilaterally or behind closed doors. If there are key influencers in the congregation, speak with them personally. Keep a pulse on the church, what concerns might be circulating, what questions people are asking, and where resistance may potentially be forming from a noisy minority.

We recently made a change to our service times, from 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Our elders began by sharing their thinking nearly a year before any decision was made. At a church business meeting, we acknowledged that Scripture doesn’t prescribe specific meeting times, so this was a matter of wisdom and practicality. Six months later, we presented the reasons we believed the change would serve our growing congregation well. Three months after that, we held a consultative meeting: no vote, just open discussion. Then, two months later, we gave formal notice of a special meeting where a vote would be taken. The church voted strongly in favor of the change, and we introduced a trial period. After three months, we reviewed the feedback and voted to make the new times permanent.

It was a smooth process, but only because of the hard work, conversations, and intentional efforts taken to make sure people felt heard. Leading through change requires not just decisive action, but relational care and spiritual sensitivity. And remember, plans may need to adapt. Stay open to feedback, and be willing to adjust course if it becomes clear that something isn’t working as hoped.

4. Prepare to endure some turbulence

It’s rare when everyone is fully on board with changes, though. Some resistance is almost inevitable. It can be stressful, stretching, and emotionally draining.

Here, two leadership mistakes often surface.

On the one hand, spending endless hours trying to win over every single person, hoping to achieve unanimous support.
In the opposite extreme, simply ignoring or dismissing those who disagree.

Neither approach is healthy. A healthier balance exists somewhere between these two poles.

We must do our best to communicate clearly and listen carefully to those with reservations. We should go the extra mile to love all parties in the change journey as Christ has loved us. If some are opposed, we listen. We must see their input as instructive—yet not necessarily determinative. If, after prayerful consideration and collective discernment, the elders (or leadership team) believe the proposed changes are for the good of the whole flock, then they should press on, even if some individual sheep are unhappy.

We must be patient at this stage. Be willing to hold meetings and phone calls with people. Yet we must also be courageous enough to press on even though some people may struggle with the direction of travel. This can be a hard, trying, and frustrating part of change. But we can find great comfort from the Lord and his promise to uphold, help, and strengthen us with his righteous right hand (Isa 41:10).

5. Lead amidst the new norm

After a season of some turbulence, including envisioning, executing, and managing the change, the dust begins to settle. The changes you’ve introduced start to take root, and what once felt unfamiliar becomes the new rhythm of church life. This is a deeply satisfying moment, not because the journey was easy, but because you’ve seen your flock move into a healthier, more fruitful place.

A gentle conversation, a pastoral visit, or a word of encouragement can go a long way in helping them feel seen and cared for.

During this time, it can be wise to check in with those who may have struggled with the change. A gentle conversation, a pastoral visit, or a word of encouragement can go a long way in helping them feel seen and cared for. Our leadership doesn’t stop once the change is made. It continues as we help people adjust and thrive in the new season.

Stay attentive to any unintended consequences that follow any changes. Sometimes a change brings unexpected ripple effects—some helpful, others needing correction. Be ready to make small adjustments as needed, always with the health of the church and the glory of God in view.

Give the church a few months to settle into the new rhythm. Let the church breathe. Then, in time, you might prayerfully consider another area of growth and change that will serve your congregation well. Leading through change is never a one-time event. It’s part of the ongoing work of shepherding God’s people towards the greener fields of deeper discipleship, gospel-centeredness, and lasting fruitfulness.