Change - Stages - Dynamics - Motivation

There are six stages of change and three dynamics:

Stages :
1. Precontemplation (resisting change),
2. Contemplation (begin to see change as a possibility),
3. Preparation (Getting Ready-growing commitment to change),
4. Action (acting with commitment),
5. Maintainence (Staying There),
6. Termination (point of no return).
{See Prochaska, James O., John C. Norcross and Carlo C. Diclemente. (1994). Changing for Good: A revolutionary six-stage program for overcoming bad habits and moving your life positively forward. New York: Quill/Harper Collins Publishers.}

Dynamics:
1. Deconstruction
2. Evaluation
3. Synthesis
Learning theory suggests that ideas and concepts must be broken down into their basic parts (deconstructed) for a thorough evaluation. Then, the parts are put back together in a new synthesis, based on the learner's evaluation of the component parts.

Based on these two aspects of the change process (stages and dynamics), change within a congregation will require some deconstruction of doctrines and church practices to evaluate how well these doctrines and practices reflect the core values and beliefs of the individual and the group. Then, a new synthesis of doctrines and practices is put in place to reflect the new evaluation.

Where we get stuck is in contemplation. We may cognitively (in thinking only) deconstruct some of the doctrines and practices of our church tradition. But, we do not move to preparation or action due to emotional arousal and doubt. Thus, we are unable to synthesize new doctrinal understandings and new church practices. A church tradition that prides itself on ‘certainty’ about matters of biblical interpretation and church practices is naturally resistant to doing anything without absolute certainty. The nagging, “What if we’re wrong?” question leads to a defensive posture (circling the wagons), following the policy that says, “Better safe than sorry.”

So, my first recommendation for moving a church through change is to deconstruct the notion that certainty is necessary before commitment to change and action is appropriate.

Resources for leading change in the church:
_Berger, Peter and Anton Zijderveld. (2009). In Praise of Doubt: How to have convictions without becoming a fanatic. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
_Kotter, John P. (1996). Leading Change. Harvard Business School Press.
_Stanley, Andy and Ronald L. Jones. (2006). Communicating for a Change. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
_Taylor, Daniel. (1992). The Myth of Certainty: The reflective Christian & the risk of commitment. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
_The Book of Nehemiah, chapters 1 – 9.