Leading congregational change

"With this handbook, the authors combine their experience guiding dozens of churches through the change process with both the study of Christian disciplines and the sophisticated understanding of such important business thinkers as John Kotter on leading change and Peter Senge on learning organizations. In this book the authors have distilled their insights and practices into simple but powerful concepts for leading congregations, whether long established or recently formed, through profound change." "The central component of their original change model is for congregations to first nurture spiritual and relational vitality - that is, the creative power that faithful people experience together as they passionately pursue God's vision for their lives. Then, drawing examples from thriving churches, the authors offer long-term support for building upon this kind of vitality through eight well-considered stages." "Recognizing that individual and church transformation go hand in hand, the authors elucidate essential church leadership disciplines such as sustaining creative tension and team learning. This book's approach enables leaders to treat their congregation as a spiritual and human organism that is complex, connected, and ever-changing. The model it provides can help any church passionately pursue God's vision."--Jacket.