Pioneering a New Future: A guide to shaping change and changing the shape of church

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Removing the pews, taking down the pulpit or updating the flooring are changes that can have church leaders and congregations running for cover. Yet such superficial change is now sliding towards insignificance compared with the changes needed for church to become relevant to our fast-changing secular society.

Phil Potter, the Archbishop's Missioner and leader of Fresh Expressions, has a wide experience of change management. He knows the pitfalls from bitter experience; he knows what works and why change is a vital and ongoing concept that churches need to embrace rather than fear.

Pioneering a New Future is a wise and practical introduction for leaders and congregations about managing and valuing change. The book is divided into two halves. The first half is a tried and tested, practical manual for shaping change of any kind in the life of a church. The second part of the book is a guide to understanding the need for the changing shape of church, and in particular the fresh expressions of church that are now emerging. Phil also includes questions for leaders and congregations to help them identify and focus on the issues that are most relevant at the present time, and the areas that need to be addressed as a priority.

Part 1 - Shaping up

Change is a head and heart process that needs not simply to be understood but also to be owned.

Phil clearly explains how the process must begin by changing the culture within church to permit the change envisaged. Members need to be helped to see honestly where they are in terms of mission to their community, what values they are cherishing, which are holding back positive change and what new values need to be passionately embraced and expressed through behaviour.

The change journey needs a guiding principle, and this is supplied by a clear vision that removes any uncertainty of intent. Phil explains the construction of a vision which is made up of values, of a purpose that describes why the church exists and of a mission statement that combines the values and purpose into a clear long-term goal. It's from this goal that a strategy of five or six simple, clear, realistic steps can be evolved which in turn can have what's, when's and how's listed under each one, giving clear guidance as to the route to be taken. Readers who have commercial backgrounds will be familiar with these tried, tested and successful steps applied in large and small businesses and many charities.

However, this is just the start. The process will need to find ways of helping people connect with each stage of change. Phil goes into the nitty-gritty of harnessing the past, honouring the past and healing the past. This includes acknowledging that people accept change at different speeds, the importance of clear and frequent communication along the way and the value of identifying and mobilising change, and promoting opinion leaders in the church community to help people understand and drive the process towards the tipping point of general acceptance.

Part 2 - Understanding the changing shape of church

Phil examines the essentials of what Church is and the process for releasing new shapes and styles of church to serve a mission-shaped purpose in the UK. He also explores the leadership styles these new expressions of church require.

'Phil has done the church a service in writing this book. Drawing on his experience as a vicar who oversaw local renewal, as a practitioner, instigator and inspirer, he sets out his passion as Archbishop's Missioner and leader of Fresh Expressions. Phil has proved himself to be an effective change broker - and there is wisdom and insight here, practical guidelines and accessible advice.