We have been experiencing and embracing a load of change at Promontory Community Church. We have hired some new staff, set some pretty big goals, changed our Sunday Environment, revamped how we run our staff meetings and resourced our ministries in order to equip them to move to the next level. For the last month change has been the order of the day.
The more I think about it the more I am convinced that we need to embrace change in our lives. I say that we must embrace it because you cannot stop it from happening. You can try to ignore it, dismiss it, run from it and push back at it - but you can't stop it. Change is inevitable!
This past month as we have embraced change there have been a few quotes we have been challenged with. John Vermeer, our Executive Director has floated in front of us the following statement, "Change is inevitable, success isn't." In other words, you have no choice when it comes to change but you do have a choice in how you respond to it. You can ignore it and fail or you can embrace it and succeed.
One of my favorite quotes on change is one that I heard Gene Appel say once and that I have posted above my desk. He says, "Change is not a problem to be solved but a tension to be managed." That is the task that all of us have. Don't approach change as something you need to get rid of or that you need a solution for - simply embrace the tension and reality of change and manage it to your benefit.
The bottom line is this. Change happens! How you choose to respond will either set you up for success and growth or leave you frustrated, disappointed and living in the past.
What's your choice going to be?