A Controlled Burn
Leading change is a dangerous, consuming calling.
A Leadership interview with Steven Goodwin
October 1, 2005
Some people thrive on danger: Navy Seals, secret service agents, storm chasers. Add Steve Goodwin to the list. Like a firefighter who runs into a burning building while everyone else is fleeing, this is a pastor who seeks out failing congregations. He has led two Lutheran churches to major reform and now assists aspiring turnaround pastors through his ministry, www.reforminghope.com. He is author of Catching the Next Wave: Leadership Strategies for Turnaround Congregations (Augsburg Fortress, 1996). Why do you focus on struggling churches? Surveys show that 85 percent of our churches have stagnated in attendance or are in active decline. My passion is to help congregations get past that. A lot of pastors are not making progress because they just don't have the skills to reform their churches. So they experience conflict, burn out, frustration, and deep anguish. I see it all over. Why do so many pastors lack the skills to reform their churches? It requires a whole different set of skills than we learned in seminary. Denominations spend so much time and energy preparing church planters, but we need to spend equal time preparing church reformers. Our counterparts in business are way ahead of us here. I see so many pastors making the mistakes John Kotter wrote about 20 years ago in his book Leading Change: they don't build a coalition; they don't anchor the change in the culture; they declare victory too soon. So many well-meaning pastors get wounded because they don't have the right skills to lead through change. So the things that we normally associate with pastoral ministry—preaching and pastoral care—are not what's needed to reform a church? You have to preach, teach, and do pastoral care. That's essential. But on top of ...
Please complete one of the following:
If you're a Leadership journal subscriber...
...but have not yet registered for online access to CTLibrary.com, you can receive a full-year's access for just $29.95!
Register Here | | If you're NOT a Leadership journal print subscriber...
You're entitled to a special, introductory offer for new subscribers only! Subscribe now and receive a one-year Leadership journal print subscription and one-year access to all Leadership archives for just $39.95!
Subscribe now!
When you log in as a Leadership Journal subscriber, you'll see additional articles noted as premium content only available to CTLibrary.com members. To access the entire CTLibrary requires a CTLibrary subscription. If you would prefer this option, select the offer below that best fits your needs.
|
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
