This is a general template to follow as you determine the changes you desire to make and how they should be chosen and done. Whatever you do, choose battles wisely as if you will be at that church ten years or more. That will give you a different perspective and will help you be patient.

Pastors who walk into existing churches are quickly burdened by needed changes to improve the church. Where the challenge is for most of us is when and how those changes need to be brought.  If you are wondering how to choose those battles wisely, first receive this most excellent counsel I received as I entered my first senior pastor position at a church clearly needing change and revitalization, “Preach the Word, sacrificially love those people, and do not change anything for a while.”

Now, having shared this invaluable counsel that should be applied first, here are 3 questions to ask yourself as you move to bring the change that is needed and how to do so with discernment and wisdom:

1. Is it biblical or merely a preference? 

Whatever you wish to change, make sure you have a strong biblical argument to do so.  If you desire to change the structure of your church to a plurality of elders/pastors or raise the commitment of all church members to gather regularly on Sundays together (Hebrews 10:25), those are appropriate biblical changes that should be pursued.  If you want to change which translation of the Bible to preach, the style of music, or remove the giant picture of a white, American Jesus in your lobby, those do not possess as clear a biblical argument.  Whether it is biblical or a preference matters in how you bring change, and in many cases, whether you should change it at all.

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