“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of
changing himself.” -- Leo Tolstoy
We often think about and plan for change in society, culture,
and organizations, but ultimately all change is personal. Whenever something shifts in our environment,
we are impacted by the change.
On the personal level, it may be entering into or leaving a
marriage. On a family level, it might be
the birth of a child, the departure of a young adult to take on a job or pursue
education, or the loss of a loved one.
On the professional level, the change may occur due to taking a new
position or losing an old one. These
relationship and environmental changes have direct personal implications for us
as individuals.
We often fail to see that organizational changes also are
personal. When your church decides to
add a new worship service and change the Sunday schedule, your world
changes. Extended family may choose to
attend another service than the one you attend.
Traffic patterns change and you don’t see the friends you usually
encounter of Sundays. You are challenged
to adapt.
Perhaps your employer decides to restructure. You probably had nothing to do with the
plans, but you are impacted nonetheless.
Schedules shift, new responsibilities are assigned, office space is reallocated,
and old relationships with coworkers end.
There is a certain level of stress and discomfort.
In your community, a favorite restaurant or coffee shop closes. Comfortable habits of socializing are no
longer available. The “place where
everyone knows your name” is no longer there.
You feel at a loss.
No matter what the change is, it becomes personal. The individual is called (or pushed) out of
his or her comfort zone. Old habits and
preferences die hard and there is a certain amount of grief involved. If we fail to recognize that grieving
process, change will be even more difficult.
In a conversation with a pastor friend this week, we talked
about the role of pastoral care in the midst of change. Providing such care may be a challenge,
especially if the pastor is seen as a key player in the change that has occurred. Even so, the pastor cares for the flock and
this is especially important when the pasture is a new one. When change occur, people need to be able to
process it in a safe place.
Remember that all change is personal.
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