• Journey vs destination

• Practicalities vs feelings

• Controller vs controlled

Our previous experience of change, how others approached it, and what our reaction was to it, will inevitably colour our response to change that is proposed.

Understanding Change

The Linear Model

Problem Identification

Alternative Solutions

(Brainstorming)

Decision Making(Choosing from the Alternatives)

Implementation

The Chaotic Model

Pain

The Box

Chaos – The Wilderness

The Creative &

Faithful Choice

Possibility(Plus)

(minus)

(will lead to)

(Where we will be helped to find)

It isn’t the changes that do you in,

it’s the transitionManaging Transitions, William Bridges, 1995

• Change is situational

• Transition is psychological

1. Ending – letting go of old ways and the old identity people had. This phase is an ending and people need to deal with loss and be allowed to grieve.

2. In-between time – old has gone but the new is not fully there yet or fully running

3. New phase/beginning – coming out of transition and making a new beginning.

Transition

Transition starts with an ending:

In pairs share an experience of an ‘ending’

- identify what was actually ending

- how difficult was it to let go?

• Identify who’s losing what?

• Accept the reality and importance of the subjective losses

• Don’t be surprised by overreaction

• Acknowledge the losses openly and sympathetically

• Expect and accept the signs of grieving

• Compensate for the losses

• Give people information, and do it again and again

• Define what is over and what isn’t

• Mark the endings

• Treat the past with respect

• Let people take a piece of the old ways with them

• Show how endings ensure the continuity of what really

matters

Endings

Can you identify these & possibly any other reactions

in the process of an ending?

How did you deal with them, or how did someone else deal with the ending?

What actions can you take to help people deal more successfully with the endings that are taking place in your situation?

Anxiety rises and motivation falls

Productivity suffers

Weaknesses re-emerge

Systems in flux, people overloaded

People can become polarised

People become tired and disorganised

Neutral Zone – in between time

Are you aware of what happened in the parish during

the vacancy ?

Release of new energy

Ambivalence

Timing

Clarify and communicate

New Beginnings

• “Unfreezing” attitudes

• Communicating information

• Look for resistance

• Seek consent for those involved

• Raise level of commitment

• Train and resource others

• Plan phases of change in detail

• “Institutionalise” the change

The Basic Stages for Change are:

Responses to Change – Attitude and Actions

• Gain full support of leadership

• Clearly identify benefits

• Deal carefully and fully with “perceived” threats

• Present change as positive, interesting, exciting, challenging

• Demonstrate that the change is consistent with overall values

Reducing Resistance

Keep people informed

Involve groups in specific activities

Assure that refinements and modifications are expected and desirable and that feedback is encouraged if constructive

Identify/advertise milestones in a large change project

Keep the end in sight

Forewarn regarding known difficulties/hurdles

Celebrate and congratulate

Making Change Work

The Adoption of Change

The Transition Curve

Scenario A

You have been at the church for a few months and realise that to help the church move forward it would be good to change the hymn books and to purchase a book that would contain a wider

selection of music, both traditional, and modern, Iona and Taizé etc. At the same time it would be sensible to introduce an audio visual system that

could be used in worship.

How would you go about making these changes?Can you identify the endings, transitions and

beginning that may be involved?

Scenario B

Your community has a high proportion of young families. There is a good mother and toddlers group that meets in the parish, yet your main

Sunday Morning worship at 10.00am is a formal Eucharist. You would like to try and introduce a

family worship service.

How would you go about making these changes?Can you identify the endings, transitions and

beginnings that may be involved?

Scenario C

Your local school would like to start an after school club in your church hall every school evening. You

think this would be an excellent mission opportunity as the school is very keen for the

church to support it and be involved. The school would need access to your hall from about 2.45

/3.00pm to set up before 25 or so children arrived. For this to happen the Mothers’ Union, the WI and

the mid-week Bible Study would either need to finish their meetings early or find another venue.

How would you go about making these changes?Can you identify the endings, transitions and

beginnings that may be involved?

Or Or

Use your own situation to think through these questionsUse your own situation to think through these questions

How would you go about making the changes required?

Can you identify the endings, transitions and beginnings that may be involved?