The Purpose of the Book
Humans have been choice-makers since the days our hunter-gatherer ancestors 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. Leaders understand this, but they often don't approach leadership as a practice of influencing choice-making. Too often, leaders think leadership is about selling the 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 too often doesn't work and leaves many congregational leaders demoralized. The approach to leadership that was learned--and perhaps worked well--in days gone by is no longer working. Choosing Change argues that leaders today are in the motivation business. This book provides an overview of current thinking from the field of motivation psychology, rooted in a Biblical and Theological understanding of motivation. The first half of the book introduces the readers to 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. Whether this book is your only guide for encouraging change, or a supplement to your favourite guide, Choosing Change is indispensible for helping you understand the human nature of choice-making and how to prepare the best context for congregants to say "yes" to change.
Part 1 An Introduction to Motivation Theory
Chapter 1 What Is Motivation and Why Is It Important?
On-Line Chapter A Theology of Motivation
Chapter 2 Stewardship and Hope at Work: The Origins of Motivation
Chapter 3 Trust at Work: The Moderation of Motivation
Chapter 4 Motivation-Based Change: Leading with People in Mind
Part 2 The Practice of Motivational Leadership
Chapter 5 Preparing the Congregation: The Readiness for Change Step
Chapter 6 Encouraging Attitude Change: The Discovery Step
Chapter 7 Developing the Change Story Together: The Dialogue Step
Chapter 8 Crafting and Sharing the Change Message: The Deliberation Step
Chapter 9 Dealing with Dissent: Rethinking Resistance to Change
Chapter 10 Planning with Motivation in Mind: The Deployment Step
Humans have been choice-makers since the days our hunter-gatherer ancestors 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. Leaders understand this, but they often don't approach leadership as a practice of influencing choice-making. Too often, leaders think leadership is about selling the 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 too often doesn't work and leaves many congregational leaders demoralized. The approach to leadership that was learned--and perhaps worked well--in days gone by is no longer working. Choosing Change argues that leaders today are in the motivation business. This book provides an overview of current thinking from the field of motivation psychology, rooted in a Biblical and Theological understanding of motivation. The first half of the book introduces the readers to 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. Whether this book is your only guide for encouraging change, or a supplement to your favourite guide, Choosing Change is indispensible for helping you understand the human nature of choice-making and how to prepare the best context for congregants to say "yes" to change.
Part 1 An Introduction to Motivation Theory
Chapter 1 What Is Motivation and Why Is It Important?
On-Line Chapter A Theology of Motivation
Chapter 2 Stewardship and Hope at Work: The Origins of Motivation
Chapter 3 Trust at Work: The Moderation of Motivation
Chapter 4 Motivation-Based Change: Leading with People in Mind
Part 2 The Practice of Motivational Leadership
Chapter 5 Preparing the Congregation: The Readiness for Change Step
Chapter 6 Encouraging Attitude Change: The Discovery Step
Chapter 7 Developing the Change Story Together: The Dialogue Step
Chapter 8 Crafting and Sharing the Change Message: The Deliberation Step
Chapter 9 Dealing with Dissent: Rethinking Resistance to Change
Chapter 10 Planning with Motivation in Mind: The Deployment Step