5.1 Governance Structure of ACOP

[Nate]

Part of the reason that people are worried about changing structures is the potential backlash they may face. Whenever there is major change there are going to be people who don’t like it for one reason or another.

Another reason is that it takes a lot of work to change policy. It can be long, strenuous work that requires careful wording, lots of thought, and sometimes professional help from lawyers or other sources.

Leadership is always a tricky thing that we do have a responsibility to be careful with, but that doesn’t mean that we need to be made slaves to it!

[Allan]

We should always be moving forward as thing change. Message stays the same, systems and processes change as growth occurs

[Caleb]

I think there are many reasons church leaders are reticent to change governance structure, some reasonable and some maybe irrational, but reasons none the less. one primary reason could be the fear to upset others who are comfortable with how the body works for them. congregation members may feel that if something changes, it could change the way they are comfortable. Another reason could be the fear of not knowing how new structures or systems will work. Maybe this new idea has never been done before and its unpredictable. Or maybe it has been done, it was a total flop, and that’s why it isn’t being done today. In some cases maybe being reticent could be better described as a wisdom to aid in the decision making process, taking time to make sure a decision is best for the congregation and will work. Concern for the future is valid; however, other times it could be purely out of fear and that is completely irrational.

[VICTOR]

Most established churches have fear of change because they got caught up with “it was serving us well before” and many do not want to have the hassle of tailor fitting the structure in the contemporary context. It’s tedious and it takes time. Many don’t have the patience and time to make the necessary changes, so they stick to the status quo even though it doesn’t serve them well.