7 Tips for Leading Culture Change
It’s one thing to dream of changing a culture – it’s another thing to see it happen.
We’ve all seen how even the most noble of ideas can fail to launch successfully. (Believe me, I can testify to literally scores of “great strategies” that I launched from the Cape Canaveral of my imagination over the years – all too many of which ended up sputtering into the Atlantic Ocean of failure.)
While that’s true of all arenas where cultural change might be attempted, one of the most challenging has to be the local church. The reasons are obvious.
No other arena carries such personal ownership.
No other arena carries such emotional impact.
No other arena carries such non-professional influence.
So, how does a leader move his/her followers out of the familiarity and comfort of a known present into the murk and challenge of an unknown future?
More specifically, how can a church be changed from a delivery culture to a development culture?
Here are a few things that I learned from other successful change agents that I tried to implement in leading cultural change in the church I led.
1. Understand the vision
Jesus identified His mission early on – “The Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). The redemption of the world was His goal.
He also modeled a strategy – invest in a few. Recognizing that disciples are hand-tooled, not mass-produced, while the Savior ministered to the crowds, He focused on the 12.
His plan was simple. These disciples would, in turn, make disciples who would make disciples.
That vision hasn’t changed in 2000 years as seen in the marching orders He gave before ascending to heaven. “Go and make disciples in all the world …teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you…” (Matt. 28:18).
The vision hasn’t changed in 2000 years as seen in the marching orders Jesus gave before ascending to heaven: “Go and make disciples in all the world …teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you…” (Matt. 28:18)
2. Own the vision
It’s been rightly said that a change in belief is key to a change in behavior. You have to be convinced of something in your mind before you will take action – especially if that action demands sacrifice.
This is never truer than when it comes to a commitment to grow a church through development as opposed to delivery. Bucking the current trend of consumerism will require ironclad ownership.
Vision has to start in the heart of the leader before it can take root in the hearts of the followers. You need to be absolutely convinced that Jesus’ vision is yours.
Vision has to start in the heart of the leader before it can take root in the hearts of the followers.
3. Live the vision
Culture change does not lead with words; it leads with action. That being the case, the single most important action of any leader is to model the behaviors they wish to see others exhibit in the organization.
Culture change does not lead with words; it leads with action.
Transitioning a church to a development (disciple-making) culture is not something the senior leader can hand off to others. While another staff member might, in fact, help to organize the details of the effort, the leader needs to shoulder the responsibility for the effort.
This necessitates taking the lead corporately by showing the way personally. Toward that end begin praying about those individuals that you could invest in that you might lead by example.
4. Identify the pioneers
Allow the themes of discipleship and development to make their way into your private conversations and your public speaking. Begin to “warm the loaf” by turning up the heat on these topics.
As you do this, keep your eyes and ears open to those who respond positively to what you are saying. Draw them into deeper conversations to assess the depth of their interest.
Keep your eyes and ears open to those who respond positively to what you are saying…These individuals could well be the “pioneers” in creating an approval wave.
These individuals could well be the “pioneers” in creating an approval wave. *
Rather than seeking to cast a detailed vision to all (most of whom are at best slow to accept change, and at worst resistors of change), share it with those who have a pioneering spirit.
Once you identify these pioneers, cast the vision to them more specifically. Then, if and as they embrace it, pour yourself into them.
Like yeast injected into the loaf, they will slowly begin to influence others as their passion grows and their skills increase. They will, in turn, begin to impact the early adapters who trail behind them.
5. Watch your pace
Keep in mind this profound point: You are instituting a revolutionary change. Those who chose to attend your church did so under the social contract of consumerism. They will not see the need to trade that in for another contract quickly.
Therefore, you will need to move at an evolutionary pace. Don’t change historic things quickly. Don’t deconstruct beloved ministries randomly.
Leadership has been defined as, “The ability to disappoint people at a pace they can handle.” No place is that truer than in a church.
Going from Delivery to Development is a REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE. Therefore, you will need to move at an EVOLUTIONARY PACE.
6. Find a coach
One of the best diagrams I saw on how to lead well could be described as the INFORMATION, IMITATION, INNOVATION triangle.
While INFORMATION is helpful and necessary, most (even the best) learners (and leaders) can’t usually move directly to INNOVATION. They can’t take that information and figure out how to apply it. There are too many questions that remain.
A coach can provide ongoing INFORMATION (“Here’s what you need to know”) and yet also provide some IMITATION (“Here’s how to do it and how not to do it”). This can then allow for the leader to step into INNOVATION with the wisdom learned from another.
Most learners can’t move from INFORMATION to INNOVATION. They need the step of IMITATION first.
7. Start praying
While I end here, I could have (perhaps should have) begun here. When you catch a fresh vision of Jesus’ dream and start imitating Jesus’ strategy, you will be engaging in a Kingdom work that carries all sorts of potential.
That being the case, the Evil One will do all in his power to discourage and dissuade you. You and your church will, in fact, become special targets because you have become real threats to his dark realm.
Make sure that you stay “prayed up.” And consider recruiting a team of intercessors to specifically lift you, the church, and this vision up in prayer.
When you catch a fresh vision of Jesus’ dream and start imitating Jesus’ strategy, you and your church will become special targets of the Evil One. STAY PRAYED UP.
In conclusion, keep in mind that while seeking this sort of cultural change is right and good, it is by no means quick and easy. The challenges are immense. Yet so are the rewards.
Related Blog Posts:
Delivery Culture vs. Development Culture
Delight, Disillusionment, Despair, and Discovery
The Costs of Consumerism
Living in Three Dimensions
Three Dimensional Churches
The Training Triangle used in this blog is copyrighted as the intellectual property of 3DM and can be found in:
Breen, M. (2012) Multiplying Missional Leaders, 3DM Publishing.
* Diagram based on the Diffusion of Innovation model by Everett Rogers (1962)
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