Change is constant in the life of the church. Yet, Kelly Colwell and Sheryl Johnson argue that some church leaders approach the idea of change with a level of caution that doesn't always benefit their congregations. Colwell and Johnson note that these kinds of hesitant responses actually can hinder churches in fulfilling their missions--especially when they encounter disruptions beyond their human control.
In A Spirit of Change, Colwell and Johnson explore ways different churches responded to a church fire, the 2024 US elections, and the 2020 global pandemic. In doing so, the authors examine why some churches embrace change and others resist it. To help church leaders develop a healthy approach toward change, Colwell and Johnson offer a framework for recognizing where congregational life is already emerging amid change. They also present practical guidance to help churches manage their resources--time, attention, and institutional energy--and avoid declines in their ministries.
Ultimately, A Spirit of Change presents change as a spiritual practice. Through theological reflection and concrete strategies, the book equips pastors, seminarians, and church leaders to discern ways to cultivate ongoing congregational renewal. Accessible, yet theologically grounded, the book speaks to church leaders who want not only to manage crises and disruptions but also to continually join in God's ongoing work of transformation in and through the church.
