Here is a video introduction to articles I have written (for anyone) and assignments (for students in LEAD 600, etc.) that deal with controlling change (which we call theories of changing). It introduces the viewer to “The Four Forces that … Continue reading
by Bob Whitesel, D.Min., Ph.D., 10/16/15. Change is an intricate interplay of four forces that are driving change: 1) Life-cycle Forces, 2) Goal-orientated Forces, 3) Conflict-oriented Forces, and/or 4) Trend-orientated Forces. And, in hindsight it is often evident that these … Continue reading
by Bob Whitesel Ph.D., Church Executive Magazine, March 2010, pp. 21-22. (Download the original article here: ARTICLE_Four Forces-Whitesel (Church Executive Article) Changing a Church is Challenging! As a writer and professor of church management and growth, I have found that … Continue reading
Bob Whitesel, D.Min. Ph.D., Associate Professor of Missional Leadership, Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University, Journal of the Great Commission Research Network, Vol. 1, No. 2, Winter 2010. Abstract This article is an abbreviation of research originally presented to Dr. … Continue reading
Excerpted from The Journal of the American Society for Church Growth (JASCG), Fall 2008, editor Gary McIntosh, DMin, PhD., La Mirada, CA: Biola University. Toward a Holistic and Postmodernal Theory of Change: The Four-forces Model of Change As Reflected in … Continue reading
by Bob Whitesel D.Min., Ph.D., 3/31/16. We all know, “one size doesn’t fit all.” And this is true with church health and growth strategies. So let’s look at how worship wars must be tackled differently by churches that run over … Continue reading
Interplay Among Popular Explanations of Change by Bob Whitesel, 3/16/15. Below is a systematic list which describes how the different forces that control change are reflected in different theories of change. I let me students use this bibliographic list as … Continue reading
Book review by Sam Chan, Christianity Today, 6/29/20. … Pippert, of course, is best known for her classic book on evangelism, Out of the Saltshaker and Into the World: Evangelism as a Way of Life. First published in 1979, Out … Continue reading
Commentary by Dr. Whitesel: My friend and colleague Dr. Rich Richardson of Wheaton College has penned an excellent analysis of recent data regarding the millennial generation’s uncomfortable relationship with conversion and spiritual transformation. To understand their quandary, read this important … Continue reading
by Bob Whitesel D.Min., Ph.D., excerpted from an address delivered to the Great Commission Research Network (GCRN), Asbury Theological Seminary, Oct. 19, 2017. “How Changing Generations … Change: Harnessing the Differences Between Generations and Their Approaches to Change.” Abstract This … Continue reading
Excerpted from Bob Whitesel, Spiritual Waypoints: Helping Others Navigate the Journey (2010). Personal Problem Recognition Waypoint Characteristics: Signs of Travelers at Waypoint 10 Feelings of rejection or despondency that can result in depression and/or excessive self-reliance. At this juncture the … Continue reading
Excerpted from Bob Whitesel, Spiritual Waypoints: Helping Others Navigate the Journey (2010). Awareness of the Fundamentals of the Good News Signs of Travelers at Waypoint 13 Spiritual Curiosity. Wayfarers at this point are usually inquisitive, curious, perplexed and frustrated by … Continue reading
by Bob Whitesel D.Min., Ph.D., an address delivered to the Great Commission Research Network (GCRN), Asbury Theological Seminary, Oct. 19, 2017. “How Changing Generations … Change: Harnessing the Differences Between Generations and Their Approaches to Change.” Abstract This article will … Continue reading
by Bob Whitesel D.Min., Ph.D., 5/14/17. “The “great” purpose, goal, commission, charge.” In your… > going, meet their needs daily (prepare the soil) “attendant circumstance participle = !” (an aorist participle preceding an aorist main verb) > teaching them something … Continue reading
by Bob Whitesel D.Min., Ph.D., 2010. …the primary goal of every church is not to influence the community for the better, provide a warm place of fellowship, sponsor excellent teaching or even to survive. The church of God has a … Continue reading
Excerpted from Cure for the Common Church: God’s Plan for Church Health, chapter “How to Grow Learners.” What is the Goal of a Church? I often ask my client churches to honestly tell me what they perceive as their church’s … Continue reading
“Chapter 8: MEASURE” is excerpted with permission from ORGANIX: Signs of Leadership in a Changing Church (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2011), pp. 139-156 (copyright by Bob Whitesel). Let’s break through to the real reasons for growth or non-growth… Let’s put diagnostic … Continue reading
Commentary by Dr. Whitesel: Almost everywhere I go, church leaders say they need a better leadership pipeline. And research has shown that at least in the business world this can only be created by better “collaboration” among existing departments and … Continue reading
When Big Goes Small: How Large Churches Are Learning From Those With Less by Aaron Earls, Facts & Trends, LifeWay, 3/29/16. …In the last five years, the typical megachurch’s main sanctuary decreased in size from 1,500 seats to a median … Continue reading
by Bob Whitesel D.Min., Ph.D., 12/22/06. Abstract An earlier ethnographic survey of 12 Christian congregations that were largely led, staffed and populated with adults between the ages of 22 and 35, was designed to uncover synergies and strategies that might … Continue reading
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