The Four-Force Model of Church Change
Changing Your Congregation from the Inside Out
Dr. Bob Whitesel

This session will explain how applying a four-force model of organizational change can help churches change in an organic manner that also fosters church unity and growth.

Lay and Clergy leaders of churches that wish to change without compromising their congregational beliefs, history and personality. The four-force model of change has been the thrust of Dr. Whitesel's Ph.D. research at Fuller Theological Seminary on the issue of ecclesial change with resultant growth.

The four-forces model has been explored by respected management writers Van de Ven and Poole (1995), upon which the author has studied church models that reflect these understandings. Dr. Whitesel's resultant research is applicable across a broad spectrum of churches regardless of size.

Attendees will learn how to detect which of the four-forces of change are affecting their church, and will be given general guidelines regarding effective tools to manage change. Attendees will be encouraged to apply the four-force model to their scenarios with results of deepened understanding regarding how to control and mediate change.

Dr. Whitesel's fifth book, Preparing for Change Reaction (2008) deals in depth with this topic. This seminar will allow attendees to question Dr. Whitesel how his research into change can help them change their church in a unifying and positive manner.

DR. BOB WHITESEL is Associate Professor of Graduate Studies in Ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University. A sought-after writer, consultant, and speaker on the emerging organic church, church management, and church growth; he has been called "the key spokesperson on change theory in the church today." His books include: Preparing for Change Reaction: How To Introduce Change In Your Church (2008), Inside the Organic Church: Learning from 12 Emerging Congregations (Outreach Magazine's 2007 finalist for Resource of the Year in Postmodern Outreach) and Growth by Accident, Death by Planning (2004). He recently completed a second doctorate in postmodern change and outreach.