Planning for Change: Leading through Change

What happens when your ministry faces change? Is everyone involved supportive? Do they have the information they need to move forward? Have you communicated expectations clearly? Leading through change can be a difficult task. Our team at Station 19 is equipped to come alongside ministry leaders at moments of change - planned or otherwise.

We believe in creating spaces for your ministry to easily adapt to inevitable changes. By working with you to understand who you are and where you’re going, we can create facilities that will work with you, not against you, no matter the season.

But there is more to ministry than transforming your building. Your building is simply a tool to aid you in serving your people and your community. When change comes your way, how you lead through it makes a difference in the lives of the people that you serve. Our team has partnered with ministries through times of change and transition for almost 50 years. Our goal isn't to tell you what to do, but to collaborate with your team to create effective solutions for now, and for the future.

So how do you set yourself up for success when your ministry is facing change? Over the years we have developed tried and true approaches as we have worked with ministry leaders over the years, that we believe can help you in your time of transition.

Listen.

Our first step with every client is to take the time to learn about who they are, where they’ve been, where they’re going, and what their needs are. When it comes to your church congregation, the people you serve, or your community, it is vital to make space to hear what they have to say. You might hear needs or perspectives you haven’t realized, and the people you talk with will feel heard and know they are valued.

Plan.

Once we have a day of listening with our client, we head back to our office to start planning. We look at the information gathered and the needs that were expressed to come up with the best options for a way forward. After you’ve listened to your community, it’s time to plan for the future. While it can feel overwhelming or even defeating to try to plan for the unknown, the key is really to be able to create a plan that allows you to maneuver with agility. The ideal outcome isn’t a perfect plan, but one that is clear and can adjust to changing circumstances.

Build.

Now that you have a plan, it’s time to build it! Or is it? It is tempting to just dive in and “go for it”, but being strategic about how you move forward is essential to the success of your plan. When is the right time to start? When we advise our clients on the right time to build, we look at the current facility and how it is or isn’t serving the ministry. What are the most pressing issues? Can we remodel, or do we need to build a new facility? What’s the right next step? If you’ve found that you’ve outgrown certain spaces, or your building altogether, or that specific spaces are hindering your ability to do ministry, then it’s time to build. Similarly, your plan for ministry should be implemented in a way that responds to current needs and future vision.

Celebrate.

When all is said and done, we are always thrilled to be able to attend the dedication service, grand opening, or reception for new spaces that we partnered with you to create. When your ministry faces change and accomplishes the goals you’ve set, take the time to celebrate your wins. Celebrating creates unity within your community and allows you to connect with one another. and You’re able to create momentum and confidence when pursuing your future goals.

As you lead your ministry through change, Station 19 is always here to help. We provide you with more than just architecture. We want to bring value to your ministry so that you can continue working toward your mission.