Clergy often try to change their congregations, and as rule their efforts meet resistance. It hurts to be seen as a threat by the very people you are trying to serve, but when a leader's first move is to advocate for change, that's generally what happens.
The desire to make change is one of the main reasons people become leaders in the first place. New seminary graduates, freshly educated in the latest concepts of improved and modernized religion, are especially prone to look at their first congregation and see all the ways it could be better than it is.
But a congregation, large or small, is still an institution, and institutions tend to resist change. In the flush of new beginnings, leaders frequently forget this obvious but nonetheless important fact.
Why Institutions Resist Change
Why do institutions resist change? When I ask this question in a group, I hear several theories. Some people like to point to traits of personality: "People fear the unknown," somebody says. "People dislike change," Around the room, heads nod.
Others blame the culture of the congregation or denomination they happen to be serving. Pastor Johnson from Wisconsin says, "Lutherans are conservative by nature." Not listening, the Reverend Dr. Hester Washburn says, "What do you expect? This is New England." Father White offers a joke: "How many Episcopalians does it take to change a lightbulb? What-change!?" They each believe-at least until they start to hear each other-that if it weren't for their group's unique brand of stuck-in-the-mudness, change would be much easier.
I have a different theory. Institutions resist change, not because of any special trait personality or culture, but because that's what an institution does. Or better yet, because that's what an institution is. An institution is a way of getting people to engage in repetitive behavior. Resistance to change, in other words, is baked in to the whole concept. People show up for work or meetings, unlock doors, publish newsletters, lead worship, prepare lessons, sweep floors, and practice music-all on schedule.
