Churches often respond to disappointing results by working harder at the same level.
Attendance declines, so we advertise more.
Volunteers leave, so we recruit more.
Giving falls, so we make another appeal.
Leaders become exhausted, so we encourage them to remain faithful.
These responses may help temporarily. But they don’t always change what is producing the pattern.
What Should We Change?
Change the relationship, rule, flow of information, repeated practice, or goal that keeps producing the unwanted result.
If volunteers keep leaving because expectations are unclear, more recruitment will not solve the problem. Clarify the role, train people well, provide support, and establish a healthier rhythm.
If guests are forgotten because information moves slowly, don’t simply tell the team to care more. Repair the handoff between the connection card, database, assigned leader, and follow-up conversation.
Donella Meadows showed that some changes affect only the surface while others reach the goals, rules, feedback, and beliefs governing the whole system. Deeper changes often produce more lasting results. Donella Meadows Project
What Should We Not Change?
Don’t change something simply because it is easy to change.
Churches often adjust dates, names, colors, schedules, and slogans because those changes are visible. But a new ministry name cannot repair weak leadership. A new logo cannot create a welcoming culture. A new class cannot produce discipleship if no one practices what is taught.
Visible change can create the appearance of movement while the deeper pattern remains untouched.
Ask What Produces What
Before making a change, ask:
What result are we trying to change?
What keeps producing that result?
What part of the system has the strongest influence upon it?
What else will be affected if we change it?
The goal isn’t to change more things.
The goal is to change the right thing.
Lasting change begins when leaders stop treating the visible result and start changing what keeps producing it.
Paul D. Flowers, Sr. 