Envisioning the Future

Conversations with these Watkins Christian Foundation grantees reveal a shared vision of enjoying a hopeful, adventurous, responsive, and transparent future. These grantees recognize the ongoing—and often substantial—challenges associated with their changes and still remain optimistic about the overall benefits for their ministries and the people they serve.

Navigating Continuous Change

International Leadership Institute leaders noted that change works best for dynamic and resilient organizations that are able to thrive in an ever-changing environment—ones, like theirs, that always have an eye on achieving a better future. They shared that embracing a culture that accepts change and eagerly pivoting toward “what is needed next” are two essentials of a deliberate and thoughtful journey that requires patience, persistence, and willingness to learn and grow continuously. Their institute continues to succeed by operating according to these guideposts.

Desire Street Ministries leaders shared their experience that “real” change often brings a sense of loss—whether it’s the loss of familiar practices, the loss of comfort (that comes with the acceptance of new roles), or the loss of “what was” when there are cultural shifts. The leaders found that, with change as the ever-present reality in their organization that is adeptly responding to internal and external forces, following the new path requires some practices to continue, others must be newly identified as being needed and then implemented, and some must be retired. Without leaving some practices behind, true change cannot take hold. 

Acknowledging Culture Is Key

Eagle Ranch revamped its board to balance fresh perspectives with experienced insights, thereby enriching its overall cultural perspective. Seasoned board members welcomed new less-experienced members, and ensured they received a comprehensive orientation to the organization. This approach will allow Eagle Ranch to reenergize its mission moving forward.

Changing With Others

Smoke Rise Baptist Church leadership recognizes the need to manage change carefully and precisely. Indirectly using a reference to a slow cooker in his metaphorical explanation of their approach to innovation, a church leader emphasized the need to maintain a steady pace during the church’s change journey, thereby avoiding overwhelming individuals while still ensuring progress. He noted it is essential for those who are most impacted by change to feel that change is not done “to” them, but rather “with” them, saying that slowly building the change over time with others sets the stage for true progress.