In this excerpt from “Grace to Lead: Practicing Leadership in the Wesleyan Tradition,” by Kenneth L. Carder and Lacye C. Warner, an argument is laid out for the qualities and skills needed to address changes within the church. In the midst of overall church membership and attendance decline, what is the leadership to do? The authors highlight two types of changes: technical and adaptive. Technical changes are those that have an immediate, known solution. Adaptive changes require a cultural shift. The authors argue that churches have been trying change in a technical fashion (i.e. add a new program) when they need to change adaptively—create a culture shift in the church.
How does a leader initiate such adaptive changes within his or her church? Carder and Warner insist that there is much to be gleaned from John and Charles Wesley’s ministry. Though they attracted great numbers for John’s preaching, the real work was in the relational ministry and teaching through small groups and bands. Thus lives were completely transformed. I can’t help but quote this small section, “Leaders, therefore, must address the immediate technical challenges with an eye on the long-range cultural shift necessary. Foundation repair requires patience and perseverance and a willingness to get one’s hands dirty and work without recognition and immediate visible results.” I was challenged by this as I am in the planning for next year’s youth ministry—am I really focusing on the dirty work (adaptive) or just re-naming the old programs (technical)?
