Jon Stolpe (Stretched Blog) and I have been blogging each week on a chapter from Love Works by Joel Manby.  This is the next to last week.  It is actually the last chapter in the book.  Next week will be a “What are some lessons I learned from the book” post.  🙂  It has been a fun ride and I hope our foray into this marvelous leadership book has piqued your interest to buy the book and read it for yourself.  Okay…with that out of the way, let’s get to Chapter 10.  Chapter 10 opens with a powerful and oft-quoted statement by Ghandhi:

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.

If there is one word that sends shockwaves through people, especially churches, it is the word C-H-A-N-G-E.   I’m sure you have heard it all before, with perhaps the biggest excuse being:

The famous seven last words of the church: “We’ve never done it that way before.”

Been there, heard that.  But, in all honesty, to the credit of many churches today, that dog doesn’t hunt anymore.  Many churches are willing to change.  I serve a church where it is often said in the leadership meetings, “One thing we have always said is ‘never be afraid to change.’ ” I cannot even begin to tell you how refreshing that is.

But you see, and this is the point I got out of this chapter, everyone faced with the possibility of change is also faced with another fact:

C. H. O. I. C. E.

What I mean by that is Change is a matter of choice.  You either choose to change, or you choose to remain stuck.   I can’t say it much simpler than that.  Look at the landscape, for example, of businesses that have ceased operation.  How many of them refused to change?  Or to adjust to the changing times?  Here is one.  I recently read an article on some of the old standbys that are heading out the door.  (Don’t want to mention names of current operating companies).

Change is a choice by management.  It is hard to lead by love.  In the corporate world, it is hard for many to see  beyond the bottom line.  I can attest it is the same in the church from time to time.  In some churches I have pastored, the bottom line was the underlying current.  Fortunately, I have come to a church where programs are not the bottom line…people are.

THAT IS A CHOICE WE HAVE MADE.  PEOPLE MATTER FIRST.  That is love in action.  While programs may bring people to the table, it is love, and how they are treated, that will keep them coming.

How are you doing?  What sort of choice is your company/church making?  Make sure you check out Jon’s post as well.