Choosing Change : How to Motivate Congregations to Face the Future

Coutts, Peter D.

ISBN 10: 1566994373 / ISBN 13: 9781566994378

Published by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2013

About this Item

Unread book in perfect condition.

Seller Inventory # 20915334

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Choosing Change : How to Motivate Congregations to Face the Future
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication Date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1566994373
• ISBN 13: 9781566994378
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: As New

About this title

Synopsis

Humans have been choice-makers since the days when hunter-gatherers had to decide when to hunt and what to gather. Making choices is what humans do. But individuals feel more personal autonomy and power to choose today than ever before in human history. In Choosing Change, author Peter Coutts acknowledges that clergy today recognize the impact our individualistic culture of choice is having on congregations. But Coutts also points out that many leaders do not think about motivation. For them, encouraging change is about selling their congregation on a new idea, governed by the assumption that a better idea should win the day. Wide experience in the church demonstrates that this approach often doesn't work and leaves many congregational leaders demoralized. Leaders see the need for change in their congregation, and they earnestly want to help their congregation to change. But the approach to leadership they learned, which perhaps worked better in days gone by, is no longer working. Leaders are in the motivation business, argues Coutts. Choosing Change provides an overview of current thinking from the field of motivation psychology. In the first half of the book, Coutts explores theories, ideas, and terms that are most pertinent for leaders who desire to encourage congregational change. The second half of the book offers detailed guidance for congregational leaders who want to be motivational leaders.

About the Author

Peter Coutts has twenty-six years of congregational experience, including church planting and as lead minister of one of Canada's largest Presbyterian congregations. He has taught congregational revitalization as an adjunct professor in the D.Min. program at McCormick Seminary in Chicago. Currently Peter divides his time between coaching congregational pastors and leaders in 13 Presbyterian congregations in southern Alberta, and executive coaching and consulting in both congregational and business settings. Visit his website at http: //www.choosingchange.ca/.