By: Dan Heath

In this article for Fast Company Dan Heath suggests that self- control is an “exhaustible resource.”  Meaning that people only have so much self- control, and when that self- control is gone- it’s gone.

Since Change requires so much effort and self-control, there is a limit to how much change people are able to handle.

This makes sense to me.

I have served at churches that were going through periods of transition too quickly. Some of it was planned and some was just unfortunate circumstances.  I have seen the damage change that happens to quickly causes.

It reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3:1-15, that there is a time for everything.

Sometimes, because of zeal and ambition we try to force change when doing so can cause disaster. I’m not saying that we should not change. I am saying let’s be responsible stewards of our congregation, and show love and patience because change is hard, and requires effort. Let’s move lovingly, patiently, one step at a time. Instead of having a one year plan to turn our church around, let’s have a 5 year plan.

If our congregations are not moving at the pace we want them to, it is not a critique of our leadership, nor is an indication of a lack of commitment. The truth is we can only handle so much change.

I want to hear your stories.  Have you pushed for too much change from your congregation? What was the result of that? Is there merit for the Church in the things Dan Heath is saying?