Appreciative Way Logo
The Appreciative Way
Enabling Innovation at the Speed of Life           
Free Article
Conflict to Collaboration

Rob Voyle's Appreciative Way Blog

Register to Offer Comments, or Unsubscribe from Email Notification

Additional Articles By Year: 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010

Agents of Change or Agents of God, and What's Christmas Got to Do With It?

Posted: December 21, 2015 by Rob Voyle

"Don't call me to be your pastor if you don't want to change."
Or to put it into a positive spin.
"Only call me to be your pastor if you want to change."

I hear similar statements from clergy, and especially clergy at interim training
where a big focus is on the nature of change, we are here to help you change. I
have spent a good deal of my work teaching the dynamics of sustainable change, a
big part of which is to make it safe for people to engage in change.

I have called myself an agent of change and can think of myself and others as
agents of change but I have come to see that as a mistake. Epiphany came early
for me this season even during advent.

I was talking about change with a friend and colleague, Pam Mott. She is very
gifted in walking with people through difficult changes, but I realized that is
not why I would recommend her to a congregation. There is only one reason to
call her: because she will lead them deeper into the presence of God and weave
them together as the people of God.

We are not called to be agents of change we are called to be agents of God.

We are not here to make it safe for people to change but safe for people to
encounter the loving God.

Because ever since the Garden and the Fall our human instinct when confronted
with the presence of God is to be afraid. In the Scriptures theophanies
typically begin with the words: "Do not be afraid."

And that's where we meet the heart of Christmas. As my good mate Ted Blakely
says "In Jesus people get to be in the presence of God and not be ashamed or
afraid."

The Christmas angel's message was peace to the world. We can be in the presence
of God and be at peace and in love.

Many of our congregations need more than a few changes they need radical
transformation. Our history tells us that every revival and dramatic change in
the spiritual life, whether it be the birth of Christianity, or monastic
traditions, or the reformation, or the transformations in our own lives begin
with a fresh awareness of the nature of God.

So if you want to bring change to your congregation start making it safe for
people to enter more deeply into the presence of God. In the presence of God,
change will take care of itself. In the absence of God, change is a living
hell.

And when a congregation asks you why they should call you as their pastor tell
them: "Because I will lead you deeper into the presence and love of God." And if
they don't want to do that, you probably won't want to be there.

I wish you a very blessed Christmas and pray that we all may know it is now safe
to enter into the presence of God.

Rob Voyle
Director, Clergy Leadership Institute

Leave a Comment...

Check the Training Schedule for the latest listing of coach training programs.

 

Additional Articles By Year: 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010

Previous Posts By Category

Previous Posts By Date

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

The Appreciative Way

The Appreciative Way
Discover the essentials of the
Appreciative Way in this fast
read format book by
Rob and Kim Voyle.

>>   View Contents

About the Author

Rob Voyle

Rob Voyle

The Rev. Dr. Rob Voyle is a leader in the development and use of appreciative inquiry in church and coaching settings.

Rob's Approach to Training

  • Helpful: Training must provide practical, sustainable solutions for today's challenges.
  • Humorous: Creativity and humor go together as people enjoy new insights.
  • Healing: I create opportunities for people to experience transformational insights that lead to new ways of living, working, and being in the world.

>>   See more on Rob's
        Helpful, Humorous, Healing
        approach to training.