Why churches must be willing to change and adapt

THE ‘FROM ANECDOTE TO EVIDENCE ‘ research showed that it is more important for churches to look regularly at what they are doing and not to do things just because they have always been done that way.

Change is not always easy but for there to be growth it is often necessary for the existing congregation to be willing to change and adapt.

Key facts from the research:

• ‘…at a minimum, the arrival of new people disrupts what might be a cosy club.’
• The research shows that it’s not essential to adopt a particular tradition or style to grow; what does matter is that you embrace your tradition wholeheartedly and that your particular worship style is chosen rather than inherited and accepted because it’s easier not to change.
• The researchers described successful churches with a ‘let’s give it a go’ attitude. These churches try different initiatives as experiments, if they work they invest in them; if they don’t they drop them.

Changing things up may seem daunting to your church. However, the useful resources below will help shape future plans.

Resources