This week on the 5 Leadership Questions podcast we are highlighting several of the speakers from our upcoming Pipeline Conference. We are excited about this event and all the leadership wisdom and practical advice that will be shared there, and we want you to share in some of that. The early bird registration discount ends July 31, and if you listen closely to the podcast you’ll hear a special offer to give you an even deeper discount. So listen in, get that discount code, and go to MyLeadershipPipeline.com to register you and your leadership team.

In this episode Todd Adkins and Barnabas Piper sit down with Tom Rainer, the president of LifeWay Christian Resources, to talk about leading change. Dr. Rainer recently released a book on the subject, Who Moved My Pulpit?, and has a wealth of insights for church leaders and organizational leaders alike. They discuss the following questions.

* Why is it important for the church to change?

* So many church members are resistant to change. Why is this and are there particular types of people who are especially resistant?

* What is an “eager coalition” and why is it so important for a leader?

* How can a leader build one?

* What do you do with people who just won’t change?

* Why is prayer so important in leading change?

* What kinds of habits can a leader develop to have a healthy prayer life?

Best Quotes

“You cannot change the doctrine; the Word is the Word.”

“We often fail to discuss non-negotiables on the front end.”

“The shift has been dramatic on the numbr of Christians, so we must shift to be a more effective missional force.”

“If we don’t change we will become that religious country club where everyone pays their dues.”

“Change or die. It’s that simple.”

“We have a lot of churches that believe but don’t go.”

“Do you have a theology that compels you to go?”

“Pay-as-you-go means you pay and the pastor goes and does all the evangelism.”

“People want the methodology to be the stability, not just the doctrine.”

“We sacrifice what is biblical, effective, and efficient on the altar of tradition because we want to feel safe.”

“An eager coalition is ready to march into battle for the vision once it has been demonstrated.”

“Listening tells you whether you should forward slowly, quickly, or not at all.”

“Don’t go into a decision making time unless you know you already have the buy-in.”

“Find out who people listen to.”

“Recruit people in positions of influence because you do not want to disregard them.”

“Always expect the unexpected.”

“Leading effective change in your church without prayer will not work.”

“The real strength and source of change is the unchanging God.”

“I have to have an outline in order to pray effectively.”

“Write your prayers down or say them out loud.”

 Recommended Resources

Who Moved my Pulpit

I Am a Church Member

Autopsy of a Deceased Church

Rainer on Leadership

Leading Change by John Kotter

MyLeadershipPipeline.com