Leading Change in the Congregation: Spiritual and Organizational Tools for Leaders

Gilbert R. Rendle

Alban Institute, 1998 - Religion - 184 pages

Many books have been written about leadership and change, but until now none has focused on the kind of change that tears at a community's very fabric. Alban senior consultant Gil Rendle provides a respectful context for understanding change, especially the experiences and resistances that people feel. Rendle pulls together theory, research, and his work with churches facing change to provide leaders with practical diagnostic models and tools. In a time when change is the norm, this book helps to "lead change" in a spiritual and healthy way.

What people are saying

User Review -

This book is difficult to read, I'll agree with the other reviewers about that. However, Rendle's ideas and concepts are difficult to grasp and I think that is what makes the book hard to read. The concepts are however very useful in congregational leadership. If you read the book a bit at a time, and discuss the ideas with others, you'll find them very valuable when handling transition and community conflict as a leader. The book also includes exercises and appears to be designed to be read in a group. I think reading it with other leaders and discussing the ideas would make it even more useful. I would recommend it to anyone dealing with transitional times in a community of faith. 

About the author

Gil Rendle is a Senior Consultant with the Alban Institute. He is an ordained United Methodist clergyperson with more than 15 years of parish experience. He consults with local congregations and judicatories using his background in organizational development and systems theory. He is also the author of Behanvioral Covenants in Congregations, The Multigenerational Congregation, and the co-author of Holy Conversations: Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Leading Change in the Congregation: Spiritual and Organizational Tools for Leaders; Alban Institute publication
• Author: Gilbert R. Rendle
• Publisher: Alban Institute, 1998
• ISBN: 1566991870, 9781566991872
• Length: 184 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Christian Ministry / Pastoral Resources; Religion / Leadership