leading change – Replant Bootcamp

EP 151 – BRAIN SCIENCE AND CHANGE RESISTANCE

Written on August 10, 2022.

Replant Bootcamp

EP 151 - BRAIN SCIENCE AND CHANGE RESISTANCE

00:00 / 27:42

Why is change so difficult to accept? Especially by churches who are steeped in decline? We may need to consider how we’re wired up and what we think. In this episode the guys talk about brain science, group think and what we need to know about it all as Replanters. Dial it up, sit right down and let us know what you think.

What do we need to know about Brain

Your experiences shape your brain and your reactions
Habits and Responses become hardwired into your brain
Your brain has a natural negativity (protective) bias
Thinking is contagious
Remapping a thought pattern is possible but difficult, time consuming

Church Application for Replanters/Revitalizers

Some congregants are fearful
Church traditions are hardwired in the congregations collective conscience and not easily disrupted
Congregations are hyper vigilant regarding potential threats to their existence
Remaining Members in a deeply declined church will likely have the same mindset
Changing the existing group-think is possible but will be difficult and time consuming

It’s not too late to sign up for the Replant Summit in ATL, we’d love to see you there!

EP 146 – FORMAL AND INFORMAL PERMISSION

Written on July 6, 2022.

Replant Bootcamp

EP 146 - FORMAL AND INFORMAL PERMISSION

00:00 / 24:24

Hope you had a great 4th of July-we’re back at it this week talking about something that every Pastor, Replanter and Revitalizer needs to get a handle on: Formal and Informal Permission. What is it? Check out the definitions and discussion below.

Formal Permission: the act of garnering approval via a recognized and agreed upon process for a decision or action. Like these examples below.

Bylaws
Policies
Committee meetings
Business meetings

Informal Permission: the leadership skill and insight which recognizes the power of influence and influencers and knows that forward progress often moves at the speed of relationships

Every church has influencers, gatekeepers – they are the ones who everyone looks at when a discussion turns to a point of decision or is considering killing a sacred cow.
These aren’t necessarily “problem” people – they are often faithful process oriented folks who have made the hard decisions or assumed the important role of keeping the church legal and alive.

Keep this in mind:

You can’t ignore the processes and expect to have the support of the congregation

You have to know the processes and policies and work within them (even if you want to change them)

You gain the opportunity to change them – by working in them and then suggesting or proposing a better way

Is this decision making structure leading to the accomplishment of our mission?
Is this decision making structure hindering the accomplishment of our mission?
How might we more effectively make decisions on important matters?

Forward progress often moves at the speed of relationship and trust.

Need some help with Bylaws? Check out the Bootcamp EP 92 with the Baptist Bouncer, Craig Culbreth to brush up on your bylaws skill.

Make the decision today to take your church website up to the next level by contacting our great partners at One Eighty Digital. They can have you up and running in no time.

Show notes powered by Descript are an approximation of the verbal content, consult podcast audio for accuracy and detail.

EP 131 – CULTIVATING DESIRE IN CULTURE CHANGE with Keelan Cook

Written on March 23, 2022.

Replant Bootcamp

EP 131 - CULTIVATING DESIRE IN CULTURE CHANGE with Keelan Cook

00:00 / 29:39

While the boys were in Atlanta for the annual AMS Replant Practitioner Lab they took some time to record several episodes with some of the plenary speakers. Keelan Cook is OG for the Replant Practitioner Lab and the OG Replant Bootcamp Missiologist.

In the previous episode with Dr. Casey “The Chin” Williams the guys discussed the importance of missions methodology being informed first by right theology and then right missiology.

Theology > Missiology > Methodology

But when it comes to methodology, what is the best way to get people to act on the call we all have to be missionaries? Good information won’t be enough. There has to be a desire, there has to be affection.

In this episode, Keelan Cook helps us think through the integrity of our messaging and the ways that we learn.

Developing desire is the most important aspect of navigating outreach.

Integrity of message:
- MACRO-LEVEL — Broadcast level that is most likely to hit the whole church at once. Think sermons, website, emails, etc.
- MESO-LEVEL (mid-level) — Smaller groupings of people within the church where much equipping and fellowshipping takes place. Think sunday school classes, small groups etc.
- MICRO-LEVEL — Interpersonal interaction. Think the foyer prior to corporate worship, or lunch following the service
LOVE BY DOING
- Learning domains
  - Cognitive (Head) – Knowledge and concepts
  - Affective (Heart) – Emotional buy-in
  - Behavioral (Hands) – Activity-based

“In 1964 Leon Festinger’s research led him to advance the radical notion that the knowledge–behaviour relationship actually works the other way around – that is, people are more likely to behave their way into thinking than think their way into behaving” – Shaw, Transforming Theological Education, 2014.

Your website is part of your church’s mission to reach the community-is it working? Connect with our great partner, One Eighty Digital and get their help to make sure your website both reflects who your church is and what you are about.

Drop us a line, send us a voicemail-we’d love to hear about your story in reaching the community God has placed you within.

EP 126 – THE EMOTIONAL CYCLE OF CHANGE

Written on February 16, 2022.

Replant Bootcamp

EP 126 - THE EMOTIONAL CYCLE OF CHANGE

00:00 / 25:21

In this EP the guys talk with a boots on the ground pastor, Tim Williams of Gladewater TX. Pastor Tim is new to the field, remodeling the Parsonage, celebrating their new 10month old and doing the hard work of revitalizing a local church.

Tim asks the guys this question: How can I effectively and empathetically lead a 150 year old church, with long time members, toward change in a healthy and respectful way, that will help us reach younger families and not alienate the older members?

The guys engage in some good convo and break down the emotional cycle of change that faces church members and the Pastor as they embark on a change journey.

Emotional Cycle of Change:

Uninformed Optimism is an exciting stage, but it doesn’t last long. (Israelites following Moses out of Egypt)
Informed Pessimism ”is characterized by a shift to a negative emotional state. At this point, the benefits don’t seem as real, important, or immediate, and the costs of the change are apparent. You start to question if the change is really worth the effort and begin to look for reasons to abandon the effort.” (Israelites at the first sign of trouble)
The Valley of Despair “This is when most people give up. All of the pain of change is felt and the benefits seem far away or less important—and there is a fast, easy way to end the discomfort: going back to the way you used to do things. After all, you rationalize that it wasn’t so bad before.” (Take us back to Egypt)
Informed Optimism – Finally back in optimism. Don’t stop! (Crossing the Jordan – first Passover in promised land)
Success and Fulfillment – You are finally experiencing the benefits on the other side of change. (Defeating Jericho)

Are you navigating change in your Replant? Have some insights? Drop us a line or leave a voicemail on the bootcamp hotline.

Thanks for being a loyal bootcamp listener, be sure to leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends.

Change is good for your website, get help for yours by contacting our great sponsor, One Eighty Digital, let them know you’re a bootcamp listener.

EPISODE #81 – Holy Discontentment – Overcoming Resistance to Change

Written on April 7, 2021.

Replant Bootcamp

EPISODE #81 - Holy Discontentment - Overcoming Resistance to Change

00:00 / 26:22

JimBo and Bob discuss the importance of holy discontentment in overcoming resistance to change.

Holy Discontent + Vision + First Steps + Leadership > Resistance to Change

Holy Discontent – The unquenchable Spirit-Initiated conviction that things are not as they should be–and that must change.

Get the website help you need, connect with our great sponsor One Eighty Digital they’ll get you up and running in the right direction.

Show notes powered by Descript are an approximation of the verbal content, consult podcast audio for accuracy

EPISODE #60 – 5 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHILE IMPLEMENTING CHANGE

Written on November 11, 2020.

Replant Bootcamp

EPISODE #60 - 5 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHILE IMPLEMENTING CHANGE

00:00 / 27:50

The boys are back (in their domiciles) and serving up another episode to you about implementing change in your Replant/Revitalization. Congrats to Bootcamp Listener, Gary Hinkle-the winner of a new “black ops” Replant Bootcamp cap! Get your very own Replant Bootcamp hat-the contest continues!

What to keep in mind as you are leading change

Operate as a team – avoid isolation
Communicate the vision – in as many ways as possible
Celebrate wins along the way – they show the sacrifice is worth it
Engage in strategic evaluation – from those on the change team and in the congregation
Maintain tension – keep things moving forward, you never arrive at the finish line.

Our sponsor, One Eighty Digital, is running a great discount this month. If your church needs a new website or logo, this is the time to get things started! Get your Fall Discount Now!

EPISODE #57 – CREATING AND CELEBRATING WINS TO BUILD MOMENTUM

Written on October 21, 2020.

Replant Bootcamp

EPISODE #57 - CREATING AND CELEBRATING WINS TO BUILD MOMENTUM

00:00 / 24:09

In this episode the boys talk about the importance of celebrating wins along the way in Replanting. Why is this necessary? Because the work of Replanting is hard and difficult.

Here are some of the highlights

Celebrate small steps and wins
Find something to celebrate each weekend
Be sure to celebrate missional activity-even if it starts small
Celebrate changes in attitude and heart
Celebrate being part of something bigger (especially if you are part of a denomination)
Celebrate steps that your church is taking toward the accomplishment of your vision
Get someone outside your church to come in and help you see things you can celebrate

What wins are you celebrating? We’d love to hear from you-send us an email, a photo or a story.

Fun Razorback Football Twitter

Is your website making you sad? Not much to celebrate about your online presence? Get the help you need by connecting with our great sponsor: oneeighty digital

Check out the show notes below for more detail. Show transcripts are an approximation of the podcast, audio should be consulted for exact detail.

EPISODE #55 – CREATING AND COMMUNICATING A CLEAR VISION

Written on October 7, 2020.

Replant Bootcamp

EPISODE #55 - CREATING AND COMMUNICATING A CLEAR VISION

00:00 / 25:41

After some small talk about the correct pronunciation of States, the guys talk about the importance of vision in replanting. Vision is a key ingredient for the work of a Pastor and Replanter. By way of reminder here are the initial steps of leading a change process

Stop and Pray
Define and Confront Reality
Build a Change Leadership Team
Discover and Communicate a Clear Vision for Replanting

Two core components in a Replanting Vision: Making Disciples and Missional Engagement

Vision = where we are trying to go

Mission = how we get there

Your church can have a unique expression in it’s expression of making disciples and missional engagement.

Vision is often discovered, defined and clarified through a process-we recommend you get outside help in facilitating discussion around discovering your vision.

But…don’t make the mistake of doing this alone or quickly.

In short the vision must be Clear, Compelling, and Biblical.

Our fearless leader, Mark Clifton’s book, Reclaiming Glory is a must read for every Pastor and Replanter.

Ready for more? Dive into the show notes below. Check out this episode’s show notes below delivered by: Descript

Hey, every church needs a great website! We encourage you to connect with our sponsor, One Eighty Digital they can get you going!

TRANSCRIPTS are an approximate account of the audio recording and may not be 100% complete. Audio should be consulted for accuracy

EPISODE #54 – BUILDING A CHANGE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Written on September 30, 2020.

Replant Bootcamp

EPISODE #54 - BUILDING A CHANGE LEADERSHIP TEAM

00:00 / 24:24

In this episode the guys pick up where they left off last time-talking change leadership. To lead change in a Replant or Revitalization you are going to need help-how do you build a team to lead change? The guys break it down.

In examining your church you need to diagnose if you have a leadership problem or a followership problem. Jimbo’s Quote: A church can go much further with great followership and mediocre leadership than with mediocre followership, and great leadership.

Building a Change Leadership Team: Characteristics to look for

Character-are they growing in godliness?
Chemistry-is this someone I could sit with for 3 hours in a room at church talking ministry?
Competency-can they lead and serve?
Commitment-are they going to stick it out?
Credibility-do others follow them?

If you have a sending church or sponsoring church here are some important steps to consider:

Have a clear vision (write it down, share a prospectus with potential change team members)
Offer a clear opportunity for involvement
Ask for a commitment from them
Explain reality for them-they need to understand what they are likely to experience

Resources: Replant Roadmap by Mark Hallock

Need a great website? Our sponsor, One Eighty Digital can get you going! Check them out.

Show Notes: want to read along while the show plays? Check out this episode’s show notes below delivered by: Descript

TRANSCRIPTS are an approximate account of the audio recording and may not be 100% complete. Audio should be consulted for accuracy

EPISODE #53 – PRAYER AND URGENCY – THE REPLANT TWO STEP

Written on September 23, 2020.

Replant Bootcamp

EPISODE #53 - PRAYER AND URGENCY - THE REPLANT TWO STEP

00:00 / 27:05

This week the guys celebrate the arrival of Fall, Bob celebrates that his beloved and dismal Razorbacks are sitting atop the SEC leader board (having played no games.) Jimbo tells about his very eventful “view of a call” Sunday and the barf-O-rama that preceded it on Saturday night. Along the way they talk about leadership, prayer and creating a sense of urgency.

The Leadership Two-Step

Stop and Pray
Create a Sense of Urgency

There’s never been a significant move of God apart from significant prayer. Listen or consult the show transcript below for specific info on how to incorporate prayer into your Replant.

Here are some helpful resources to consult in your effort to lead change.

Leading Change and Our Iceberg is Melting by John Kotter

Leading Congregational Change by Jim Herrington

Who Moved My Pulpit, by Thom Rainer

Leading Major Change by Jeff Iorge

Flickering Lamps, by Henry and Richard Blackaby

40 Days of Prayer Guide, Kentucky Baptist Convention

Show Notes: want to read along while the show plays? Check out this episode’s show notes below delivered by: Descript

TRANSCRIPTS are an approximate account of the audio recording and may not be 100% complete. Audio should be consulted for accuracy