| Summary: | Change is a reality that has an effect on the society as a whole and affects all
layers of people and this also includes members of the church. Or as
Herakleitos, the Greek philosopher indicated that there is only one thing that
does not change and that is the fact that everything do change. With this
study an attempt is made to determine whether congregation-building can be
an instrument to enable/prepare members of the Church to handle change
which has an effect on them. This study only focuses on the church in the
South African community. For the purpose of this study and as the basis of
the basis-theoretical material, an exegetical study of Romans 12:2 and
Ephesians 4:23, especially terms like μeraμop<poaee, avaKatVWael, avaveo,
and voOc;, has been done to determine what the Bible teaches about change.
It was indicated that change is important for each Christian and is work that is
being done by the Holy Spirit in the believer and is a lifelong task which asks
the right attention. Together with this study, several theological works has
been investigated to find out how students of Theology have seen the
importance of change. A study of some figures that we know from the Bible
has also been undertaken to see what effect change had on them and how
they handled the changes that they had to go through. It was clear that when
God called someone, He expected obedience although great challenges of
change were facing them. God did however show patience when there was
hesitance at first. It was also clear that He prepared the persons for what they
should do. The reason why the members of the Churches in Rome as well as
in Ephesians was called to change, was also determined in this study and it
was indicated that to be one in Christ, their attitudes to one another has to
change rapidly. Many Theological works urged the church of the day to
understand that several aspects make it necessary for the church to give
proper attention to change. Churchgoers are not sentimental about which
church they attend, demographic changes and the need of society in which
the church has to serve and be light, is a few aspects that the church must
acknowledge which indicates the necessity for change. Meta-theoretical a
study in the field of Human Resources has been undertaken to establish how
change in organisations has been undertaken and what has been done to equip/prepare people who has been influenced by the changes. It was clearly
indicated that several aspects should be taken in consideration when change
is been undertaken, namely: whether it is important, it must be Biblically
founded, resistance against change must be handled carefully, people must
be equipped/prepared properly and there must be certainty that everybody is
comfortable with the whole procedure. Force on people to accept change,
should not be considered. Effective communication before and during the
process of change is of utter importance. Specific set goals must be known
by everyone and sensible control of the process is necessary. It is
determined by this study that congregation-building can be used to prepare or
equip people for the purpose of change which will have an effect on them.
This finding has also been determined by an empirical study which is done by
terms of a structured questionnaire in the Reformed Church of Ontdekkers. A
program/model which can be used by congregations to prepare their
members to successfully deal with change is presented. The church must
take cognisance of the words of Jack Welch, namely: If change outside (the
organisation) is faster than inside (the organisation), it spells the end (of the
organisation). === PhD (Pastoral studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011
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