Leading Change with Grace and Courage

Part 5 of 6: The Road to Renewal

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."—Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

A Quick Recap of Where We’ve Been

Over the past four weeks, we’ve been on a journey:

• Part 1: We discovered why doing everything stretches smaller churches too thin and why finding your One Excellent Mission (OEM) is vital.

• Part 2: We explored how to uncover your unique mission through prayerful reflection and clarity.

• Part 3: We learned to evaluate programs and ministries, ensuring they align with your OEM.

• Part 4: We talked about aligning every area of ministry—worship, discipleship, hospitality, and outreach—around your mission.

If you missed any of those articles, visit my website to read them.

Now comes one of the hardest parts: leading change. Even when it’s clear where God is calling your church, moving forward often means letting go of beloved traditions or ways of doing ministry.

Honoring the Past While Moving Forward

When Joshua was called to lead Israel into the Promised Land, he faced a people who had been wandering the wilderness for 40 years. Their past was full of God’s faithfulness—but also old patterns that couldn’t go with them into their new future.

Likewise, many churches have decades of meaningful ministries and traditions. These are not failures—they are evidence of God’s work in your church’s story. But the mission ahead may require something different. What brought you through this wilderness thus far, may not be what you need moving forward.

Healthy change begins by celebrating what has been.

Take time to honor the people, ministries, and milestones that shaped your church. Host a celebration service, share testimonies, or create a “hall of gratitude” display. When people see that the past is valued, they’ll feel safer stepping into the future.

Preparing for Pushback

Not everyone will embrace change right away. Some members will hold tightly to past ministries, fearing that new directions dishonor what they love. That’s normal.

As a leader, you must:

• Lead with empathy. Listen to concerns without becoming defensive.

• Communicate clearly. Explain not just what is changing, but why.

• Repeat the vision often. Share how each step connects to your OEM and God’s calling for the church.

• Stand firm in courage. Like Joshua, keep your eyes on the Promised Land, not the wilderness behind you.

Bold Vision + Compassionate Leadership = Healthy Change

Retool, Redeem, or Retire

When evaluating ministries, think in three categories:

1. Retool: Can this ministry be adjusted to fit your OEM?

   • Example: A fellowship dinner becomes an intentional outreach dinner for families you are called to reach.

2. Redeem: Can parts of this ministry be integrated into another mission-aligned ministry?

   • Example: A waning kids’ club is merged into your Sunday children’s program, streamlining resources.

3. Retire: If a ministry no longer fits, celebrate its impact and give it a proper “sunset.”

   • Example: Hold a special recognition Sunday to thank those who served faithfully, then release the ministry with gratitude and prayer.

Ending a ministry well is a spiritual act of stewardship. It acknowledges that seasons change, and God’s purposes are always forward-moving.

Call to Action: Lead With Strength and Grace

Pastor, the journey of change begins with you.

Pray daily for courage and wisdom. Surround yourself with trusted leaders who will help you discern next steps.

And remember: God is with you every step of the way.

Start small this week:

• Identify one ministry that may need to be retooled or retired.

• Begin conversations with key leaders about its future.

• Plan a way to celebrate its past impact before making changes.

Reflection Checklist for Leaders

Use these questions to guide prayer and discussion with your leadership team:

1. What ministries in our church are thriving and clearly aligned with our OEM?

2. Which ministries feel “busy” but aren’t producing Kingdom fruit?

3. How can we honor the people who have invested deeply in ministries that need to change?

4. What’s one way we can communicate our mission and vision more clearly to the congregation?

5. Are we leading with courage, or are we letting fear keep us stuck in the past?

The Road Ahead

Change is never easy, but it is essential for renewal. Like Joshua, you are being called to lead your people into new territory.

Celebrate where you’ve been, and step forward boldly into where God is leading.

I’d love to come alongside you as you navigate these transitions.

Reach out to me through my website at smallchurchcoaching.com to schedule a free one-hour consultation. Together, we can develop a plan to move forward with grace, courage, and Kingdom clarity.