The Forgotten Half of Change

Occasionally I will highlight a recently read book that might be of benefit to others in our movement.

 

The Forgotten Half of Change, by Luc Brabandere, is a new book written primarily to the business community. While Brabandere is not writing to the church or even claiming a Christian perspective, his insights are worth pondering as we all struggle to lead and implement change.

 

The subtitle of the book is: "Achieving Greater Creativity Through Changes in Perception". It is on this aspect of perception that Brabandere stands above other writings on the subject. While not revealing anything earth-shatteringly new, he probes and packages the dynamics of change in a manner that have certainly got me thinking in new ways. Drawing from philosophical and psychological concepts, he makes the point that there are two aspects of change: reality and perception. The former is a matter of changing actions through innovation. But, the change of perception, derived from creativity, is often neglected or missing because it is typically the most difficult to execute. Brabandere states that both of these aspects are needed. In fact, he says that successful change requires that we "change twice". Related to churches, this is evident when we introduce our programs without seeing an accompanied perception change among our members. Conflict and failure are often the result. Yet, these are the dynamics we must consider especially as we work to transform our orientation to being missional.

 

This tight relationships between reality and perception also relate to our theological understanding of sanctification. The debate that often arises, provoked by our holiness orientation, is whether sanctification is an instanteous event or gradual change. Utilizing Brabandere's model it confirmed my assertion that while sanctification is a life-long process, life-change of the perception-type (remember: spiritual change ultimately takes place at our deepest levels, including our perceptions) also typically involves a more sudden break with our past (i.e. a crisis experience). Translating that change into our lives, however, is a much more gradual process.

 

The Forgotten Half of Change succeeds to change one's perception of change itself. For that reason it is worth reading. If you are looking for practical, hands-on strategies to implement change in your church you will find the book disappointing. But, then, Brabandere's intent was to highlight the part of change we have often forgotten.