In my book "Survival Skills," I suggest seven skills pastors must master on the new millennial church. In my articles for Church Central this year, I will cover five of the seven. For more information on "Survival Skills," contact your local bookstore. This month: dealing with change.

The key to effective change is to initiate it properly. But first, new millennium leaders must understand the varieties of change that may take place in ministry.

There are five kinds of change:

1. Tentative Change.

Here's an example of tentative change. A pastor is called to serve a very traditional church. The members are content with the size, outreach and ministries of the church. Therefore, the new pastor makes an effort to enhance, improve and perpetuate traditional programming. Tentative change occurs when a leader makes only minor adjustments to maintain the status quo.

2. Turbulent Change.

Turbulent change usually takes place when drastic modifications are introduced into a situation that appears to be going smoothly. The leadership team may not be satisfied with the direction of the ministry. So a visit to an innovative church, or attendance at a church growth seminar may follow.

The leaders return to their own church and immediately begin to institute some of the innovations they have been exposed to. Instant chaos! The music is different. The sermons are altered. The choir robes are burned. The piano is moved, and the organ is put in the basement.

After the gunfire has subsided, and the Sunday school bus in the parking lot has been turned right side up, the leader faces the music. The pastor is either victorious or defeated - a hero or a zero. Sadly, "chaotic change" is probably the most common change in North American churches.

3. Tactical Change.

Tactical change is actually the standard in growing churches. Tactical change involves fine-tuning present ministries for greater effectiveness. It also involves the discovery and launching of new ministries for added growth.

Tactical change is much smoother. It includes laying the groundwork of seeking the mind of the Lord, long range planning, careful delegation, and effective communication.

4. Transitional Change.

Transitional change occurs where there is an "old" way of doing things that is clearly established and a "new" way of doing things that is preferred. The first step is to un-freeze the old thinking. Education is provided and models are presented to demonstrate how the "new" way would look. The congregation either leaps, crawls, or is pushed across the chasm of change to the new way, but then "re-freezes" by codifying the change as a new status quo.

Leaders must understand that some of the congregation will remain on the "old" side of the chasm. And their influence remains as a force for "un-change." Constantly reinforcing the benefits of the "new" will help, but not always solve the attitude of the "chosen re-frozen."

5. Transformational Change.

The final, and perhaps the most desired, type of change is transformational change.

Transformational change is a combination of the "tactical" and "transitional" approaches. In this model, there is a known "old" and a preferred "new."Initial change is implemented but begins to lose momentum. Before the momentum is lost, a "second curve" is started. After a period of transition, the second curve recovers toward more effective ministry.

Later, the momentum begins to slip again.After another period of transition, another corrective curve is initiated. The process continues as the leader guides the church through a series of transitions toward the goal of effective ministry.

This kind of change requires two things. First, it calls for motivated "second curve" thinkers among the leadership who are always looking ahead. Second, it requires mature "first curve" thinkers who have the ability to stabilize and support the current ministry while future plans are laid in place.

Change is about adapting. Just as the purpose of a tadpole is to become a frog, the purpose of the church is to evolve into a fully functioning body through the power of the Holy Spirit. If a tadpole does not become a frog, it dies. But if the tadpole grows into a frog it will experience major changes, without losing its real tadpole essence.The church-The Body of Christ-has been given a mission. But it has also been given a window of opportunity to accomplish that mission. It is time to make the ministry/method changes that are needed to help the church reach a lost world for Christ.

Taken from "Survival Skills" by Dr. Glen Martin and Dr. Stan Toler.