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 transition Managing 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 Use 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?