The Art of Leading Change

Ten Perspectives on the
Messiness of Ministry

Many books teach the science of leading change – vision and strategies and processes. The Art of Leading Change focuses on the messy and unpredictable dynamics of moving a group of people toward a new destination. People are the key – they can make or break a change effort.

The book presents ten perspectives for leading people through change:

Lead with Trust
Dig Beneath the Surface
Take the Right Next Step
Heavy Loads Require Strong Teams
You Can’t Please Everyone
Resisters Are Not the Enemy
Momentum Is Your Friend
It’s What They Heard, Not What You Said
Who Is Not in the Room?
Look Up Before You Look Ahead

Taken together, these perspectives will help you harness people who are excited, sway people who are reluctant, engage people who are apathetic and deal with people who are resistant – all within the complexities of today’s church and ministry settings.

Even though change is challenging, leaders cannot be satisfied with the status quo. Whether you’re leading from the first chair or some other role, and whether the changes you face are big or small, The Art of Leading Change will be a valuable addition to your leadership toolkit.

Download a sample chapter – “The Challenge of Change”

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Praise for The Art of Leading Change

“The Art of Leading Change is a tour de force of leadership wisdom and demonstrates why Mike Bonem is a trusted advisor to leaders all over the nation. With creativity and humility, honesty and candor, Bonem brings together decades of leadership wisdom and memorable maxims for navigating the most delicate part of the change process—the art of leading people through it. Mike’s ten perspectives in the art of leading change will become as cherished to readers as Mike’s own coaching is to leaders.

Tod Bolsinger

Author of Tempered Resilience: How Leaders Are Formed in the Crucible of Change and Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory

“I’m not sure there is a more important book coming out of a world-wide pandemic and an intense season of political and spiritual unrest. Get ready to mark up every page. Only a few leadership books on change must be read by everyone in a position of influence. This one is on that list. Read it as soon as possible.”

Judy West

Pastor of staff and leadership development at The Crossing, St. Louis, Missouri, and leader of WXP, an international group of women executive pastors

“The need to navigate massive change is a crucial competency for spiritual leaders, especially now with the church’s critical need to move from church-as-institution to church-as-movement. I am glad that Mike Bonem has decided to distill and distribute his many practical suggestions about how this is done in The Art of Leading Change. I can’t imagine a ministry team that would not be helped by processing this book together.”

Reggie McNeal

Bestselling author of Kingdom Come and Kingdom Collaborators

“In The Art of Leading Change, Mike Bonem hits a brilliant balance of the complexity and potential for leading change today. He masterfully draws from the wisdom of family systems theory and organizational dynamics along with his own insights from years of experience with congregations to produce actionable guidance for navigating change. In a season that can feel overwhelming for leaders in the church, this book offers practical handholds. As I read it, I found myself feeling genuinely hopeful.”

Lisa Greenwood

Vice president for leadership ministry, Wesleyan Investive and Texas Methodist Foundation (TMF)

The Art of Leading Change