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Implementing Change

Looking to implement some changes to our "programming" for the upcoming school year. Any suggestions on making this transition as seemless as possible. Any suggestions on promoting the upcoming changes so we don't blow people out of the water. And, any suggestions on answering the "why" questions for the changes. Looking for a lot of help from experienced YPs who have been through same situation.

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- Kevinba...
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2 years ago

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0 Votes I agree with most of what's been posted below. 1. Know the vision yourself and be passionate about it. Don't change just because you're bored of the way it is. 2. Get your sr. pastor and other church leaders on board. 3. Communicate it with your adult leaders and get their input, as well. 4. Cast the vision to parents and kids, again, to get their input. 5. When all the lights above seem to turn green, communicate to the church body at large. If there's kickback at that point, you'll have a community of other people who are already on board and are ready to back you up. by Tim Sch... 2 years ago by Tim Schmoyer 2 years ago
0 Votes Always work with your adult leaders and students. Don't make changes alone. Get your Sr Pastor behind you or at least let them know the changes ahead of time. Go through all the opposition before presenting the idea to anyone. Ask the hard questions, or find a trusted person to ask them for you. Give time for the change to sink it. I also agree, if you are within 1-2 years of starting at this ministry, you might want to seriously look at why you are making the change before making it. Gradual is always best. by Soulshaper 2 years ago by Soulshaper 2 years ago
0 Votes Change is always tough for some. Cast a vision and be strong leader and a lot of time people will trust that you and the change your are implementing. BATHE the matter in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you through this season and ask others to join with you in prayer. Something fresh, something new is ALWAYS exciting, do not pitch it as "out with the old and in with the new" by Pastor Joe 2 years ago by Pastor Joe 2 years ago
0 Votes What changes? Doctrine? Theology? Teachings? Listen, if the changes have nothing to do with the bible - they won't mean much to those your ministering to anyway. If the "changes" means a different approach to interpretation and application of God's Word - don't do a thing until you have settled it by - the Bible itself! Remember, it is God the Spirit who teaches by HIS WORD not our programs! by William... 2 years ago by William Cody Bateman 2 years ago
0 Votes On the "why" question I would say this. If you have not answered this question thoroughly for yourself then don't make the change until you do. Once you do answer it for yourself write it down and edit it until you can explain in one or at the most two sentences. Become a sales person. Get your Sr. Pastor on board first. If he is on board go to your staff one on one (at least with the key staff) and explain the vision get feedback and answer questions. Assume those questions will come up again. Go to a few key parents and get them on board. Once you have all your key people on board communicate the heck out of it (can I say heck here?). by John Byrne 2 years ago by John Byrne 2 years ago
0 Votes It's hard to give too much advice on things like "why" questions when we don't know "what", but I'll bite. Here's some things I did when we instituted some of our bigger changes in the program. First, you need support of your leaders and parents. If this is your first year, probably not a good time to do this. Trust comes over time. Make sure you continually communicate. Give people lots of time to process. If you're worried about blowing people out of the water, work in the changes gradually. This may mean some change now, some later. Write out (for your own benefit) every "why" for which you are making changes. This helps you answer people well. Be realistic about positive and negatives. Communicate with parents (meetings, etc.) by Adam 2 years ago by Adam 2 years ago

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I agree with most of what's been posted below.

1. Know the vision yourself and be passionate about it. Don't change just because you're bored of the way it is.

2. Get your sr. pastor and other church leaders on board.

3. Communicate it with your adult leaders and get their input, as well.

4. Cast the vision to parents and kids, again, to get their input.

5. When all the lights above seem to turn green, communicate to the church body at large. If there's kickback at that point, you'll have a community of other people who are already on board and are ready to back you up.

Tim Sch...

2 years ago

Votes

Always work with your adult leaders and students. Don't make changes alone. Get your Sr Pastor behind you or at least let them know the changes ahead of time. Go through all the opposition before presenting the idea to anyone. Ask the hard questions, or find a trusted person to ask them for you. Give time for the change to sink it.
I also agree, if you are within 1-2 years of starting at this ministry, you might want to seriously look at why you are making the change before making it. Gradual is always best.

Soulshaper

2 years ago

Votes

Change is always tough for some.

Cast a vision and be strong leader and a lot of time people will trust that you and the change your are implementing.

BATHE the matter in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you through this season and ask others to join with you in prayer.

Something fresh, something new is ALWAYS exciting, do not pitch it as "out with the old and in with the new"

Pastor Joe

2 years ago

Votes

What changes? Doctrine? Theology? Teachings?

Listen, if the changes have nothing to do with the bible - they won't mean much to those your ministering to anyway.

If the "changes" means a different approach to interpretation and application of God's Word - don't do a thing until you have settled it by - the Bible itself!

Remember, it is God the Spirit who teaches by HIS WORD not our programs!

William...

2 years ago

Votes

On the "why" question I would say this. If you have not answered this question thoroughly for yourself then don't make the change until you do. Once you do answer it for yourself write it down and edit it until you can explain in one or at the most two sentences.

Become a sales person. Get your Sr. Pastor on board first. If he is on board go to your staff one on one (at least with the key staff) and explain the vision get feedback and answer questions. Assume those questions will come up again. Go to a few key parents and get them on board. Once you have all your key people on board communicate the heck out of it (can I say heck here?).

John Byrne

2 years ago

Votes

It's hard to give too much advice on things like "why" questions when we don't know "what", but I'll bite. Here's some things I did when we instituted some of our bigger changes in the program.
First, you need support of your leaders and parents. If this is your first year, probably not a good time to do this. Trust comes over time.
Make sure you continually communicate.
Give people lots of time to process.
If you're worried about blowing people out of the water, work in the changes gradually. This may mean some change now, some later.
Write out (for your own benefit) every "why" for which you are making changes. This helps you answer people well.
Be realistic about positive and negatives.
Communicate with parents (meetings, etc.)

Adam

2 years ago

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