When we see conflict we always see: Change is happening or has

happened, leading to turbulence to the congregation.

OR Change needs to happen and

the conflict is a symptom of the resistance or denial of the need to change.

Conflict and Change at Justinsburg Four unhappy

pastorates A new location,

and three building projects

Yo-yo membership A growing county Playing victim:

Blaming pastors, blaming the Presbytery,

Designated pastor open to change.

The family life center…

How Change Happens # 1 Structures as

balancing forces

Roles, Rules and Rituals

Open Flexible

Organization and Steady State

How Change Happens # 2Instability and a Bit of Chaos Change in family

of spiritual leader or key lay leaders

Change in parish’s constituency

Change in Staff Change in

Denomination Redecoration,

change in worship

An organism that does not have pockets of instability will not survive.

How change happens # 3:We can be changed but

we’re still us. Biology and Identity

In cell transformation something of the identity of the cell is protected.

Justinsburg—it was new but it was familiar.

The Inner Wisdom of Conflict Conflict plays a

positive role in the congregation.

It points to the changes God desires and the health the congregation seeks

Our task is to find that wisdom and utilize it.

Your Church and Change?

Group Discussion:

Name at least one change happening in your church.

Change and Transformation There is a good deal of difference

between loss, change and transformation. A loss is a step backward; a change is an opportunity; transformation is a step forward. The common denominator of these three realities is the fact that one must give up something. It is possible for both loss and change to lead to transformation, but it is not possible for transformation to occur unless something is lost and something is changed.

Anthony Podavano