It is often said that the only person who likes change is a baby with a dirty diaper! Change can be challenging. Neither individuals nor organizations are immune to the forces of change. 

What is change?  

Peter Steinke, in How Your Church Family Works: Understanding Congregations as Emotional Systems, defines change as “when the equilibrium (balance) or homeostasis (literally, ‘to stay the same’) of an organization tips or is disrupted by some opposing force.” John Kotter, author of Leading Change, calls it “shifting conditions,” stating, “Whenever human communities are forced to adjust to shifting conditions, pain is ever present.” In other words, forces like technology, innovation, or crisis situations create a tipping point that can cause pain and other emotional responses. 

The changes around us  

We don’t have to look far to see the effects of change: 

• Your bank is acquired, and its name changes. 

• The doctor you’ve seen for years has retired, and the new one could very well be your grandchild. 

• Your two-year-old cell phone is now “obsolete.” 

• Your data lives on the “cloud.” 

• The smart “flatscreen” you bought is now flat… but not smart enough! 

Everything seems to have changed. Things aren’t as they used to be, and we long for a simpler, slower, more familiar time. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. 

The rate of change in our society affects us all, driven by factors like globalization, technological advancements, shifting social norms, environmental challenges, and political and economic flux. Add a global pandemic, and we’ve experienced a perfect storm. 

Churches and change 
 

Churches are not immune to these changes. We exist in a sea of external and internal shifts, and we feel the waves crashing in. Some of these include: 

• Changes in the denominational landscape. 

• Shifting attendance patterns. 

• A smaller volunteer base. 

• A culture where church is no longer central. 

• The loss of traditions and members due to mobility, retirement, and death. 

Here at HRBC, one of the most significant impacts of change is the loss of institutional memory. Members who knew how things worked, where things were, and what to do are no longer here to offer their wisdom. When this information is lost, it creates challenges for new people stepping into these roles. This is why mentoring, apprenticing, and collaboration are critical to the health and stability of the local church—ours included. 

A season of staff changes 
 

Last Sunday, we experienced another staff change at HRBC. Rev. Dr. Jim Townsend announced his retirement after serving faithfully for 5¾ years. We are better because of Jim. While we will miss him, we celebrate this new chapter where he will enjoy more time with Marcie and being a grandpa. 

This change follows a year of significant staff transitions: 

• Three staff positions were cut due to financial shortfalls. 

• Rev. Phillip Brown retired after 32½ years. 

• Our financial staff (both independent contractors) did not renew their contracts. 

• Our “new” church office manager has resigned to pursue her real estate career. 

• And now Jim! 

That’s a lot of change, just in the staff. That doesn’t include all the other changes at HRBC. 

Navigating loss and grief 
 

Change often involves loss, and loss brings grief. Grieve we must. We grieve deeply because we love deeply. Yet, we must not remain stuck. With God’s help and the guidance of reliable resources, we will work through grief and face the future with hope and anticipation. 

How you can help 
 

Please pray for your staff and leaders as we navigate these shifting sands of change. Pray for the Executive Council, Vision Pillar leaders and their teams, the Diaconate, Bible Study teachers, Worship Search Team, and infrastructure groups like Finance (including RiseUP), Human Resources, Properties, CDC, and Governance. Pray especially for your staff—there are fewer of us with more responsibilities. Pray for office volunteers. 

Be quick to encourage and slow to criticize. Seek ways to jump in and help. 

It will take all of us, plus the power of the Holy Spirit, who will enable us to “do more than we could ever think or imagine!” (Eph. 3:20) 

In Christ’s care and love,