At a recent conference on congregational leadership I was again struck by how the level of energy (anxiety?) in the room increased when the topic focused on change. This is natural, of course, since one of the critical functions of the leader in any system is bring about positive change on several levels. In fact, it is likely that the new leader in any system will enter with a mandate to make changes in the system–notwithstanding that any attempts of consequence to do so on the part of the leader will likely meet with resistence if not outright sabotage.

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A new series titled “Systems Ju-jitsu” begins today at the Perspectives on Congregational Leadership blog: http://perspectivesig.blogspot.com/2010/05/systems-ju-jitsu-part-1.html

GRACE member Israel Galindo reflects on three things an organization needs in order to be “great”. Read his toughts at the Perspectives on Congregational Leadership blog site.

More on why change comes hard at the Perspectives on Congregational Leadership blog. Here’s an excerpt:

One phenomena of the power of homeostasis is that whenever a leader attempts to bring about change he or she will most certainly encounter sabotage. While we can find some comfort in the notion that reactivity is unimaginative, and therefore predictable, sabotage has a thousand faces. The fun thing about sabotage (if one can be non-reactive about it), is that while we can expect it, we will always be surprised at the forms it takes.

You can read the rest of the story here.

The new book by GRACE members Israel Galindo and Marty Canaday, Planning for Christian Education Formation: A Community of Faith Approach (Chalice Press) is immediately available in print and e-book format.

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Visit the Perspectives on Congregational Leadership blog for two ideas on bringing about organizational change.

A question from one of my students in the systems theory class results in a new insight for leaders from the Dog Whisperer.

Brian Gumm offers a well-written review and critique of The Hidden Lives of Congregations.

Some thoughts on why you probably will never be able to fix some of your church committees at the Perspectives on Congregational Leadership blog.

Check the Perspectives on Congregational Leadership blog for some truisms worth remembering during times of acute anxiety.