DENVER--Most churches resist change and miss out on God's plan for their work, according to Hans Finzel. Author and president of the CFInternational mission organization, Finzel said he wants to encourage Christians to view change free from fear, resistance, or resentment, according to report from Agape Press.

Finzel's new book "Change is Like a Slinky: 30 Strategies for Promoting and Surviving Change in Your Organization" (Northfield Publishing, 2004), encourages Christian businesspeople and ministry leaders to prepare for change and to welcome it, rather than resisting it. Finzels writes that change should be used for God's glory, because change is a requirement.

"The first thing you have to do is accept the fact that we have to change," Finzel said, "and there's all kind of reasons why people don't want to change. I've heard people say 'It ain't broke; don't fix it.' But I think one of the biggest reasons people resist change is because it moves them out of their comfort zone."

Finzel wrote, "Change is a lot like a Slinky . . . A Slinky can be a lot of fun, but it is also completely unpredictable."

The new book has already been added to the required reading list for a leadership course at Fuller Theological Seminary.

For changes to be successful people must be lead with a clear vision, according to Finzel. Leaders should plan changes well ahead of time and communicate clearly with their church, otherwise the change may only be a career change for them.

"I've seen pastors lose their jobs because of trying to change things. It happens all the time," Finzel said. "So it's a careful, a dangerous, [and] a delicate thing to embark upon a journey of change. And my book ... is a handbook to help leaders, especially, do it carefully and properly."

Finzel wrote to leaders of any organization and the book's appeal has already been seen in business organizations. Robert Morris, contributing editor for the American Chamber of Commerce Executives reviewed Finzel's new book, and commented on the change process Finzel breaks down into several phases.

"In Phase One, one must accept the need for change," Morris wrote. "In Phase Three, one must anticipate one's adversaries and allies. Finzel offers the suggestion that one should ‘Forget about the obvious benefits when planning your strategy. Assume that everyone, but you, will absolutely hate your plan, at least initially. ...When we listen to our opponents, we can learn two things. First, we can recognize the flaws in our ideas. ...The second thing we learn from resisters is the hidden psychological barriers we have to overcome among members of the group.'"

Morris called the book "immensely practical advice," for leaders interested in building an environment that is accepting of change as opportunity.

Finzel is president of CBInternational, a mission organization with ministries in 65 areas around the world. He is also author of "The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make." John Maxwell, founder of INJOY -- a ministry geared toward equipping and inspiring leaders to be successful -- wrote the foreword to Finzel's latest book.