MC USA’s Iris de León-Hartshorn shares three faith-based practices for leading change —letting go, embracing experimentation and modeling the way of Jesus — to help church leaders navigate transformation with hope and grace.
Iris de León-Hartshorn serves as associate executive director of Operations and director of Human Resources for Mennonite Church USA. She represents the staff on MC USA’s Leadership Discernment Committee and works to promote anti-racism and intercultural competency.
There’s no simple formula for leading change successfully, especially in a way that offers care, encouragement and support for people as we move through change together.
It is human nature to be leery of change. What is familiar gives us a sense of safety and comfort, but it does not always lead us toward lasting well-being. There are also those who thrive on change and constant movement, which can meet the human need for excitement and growth, but may keep us from pausing for healthy reflection, stillness and quiet.
When I think about change, I think of Jesus — how he challenged the structures of his day that were no longer giving life, while also holding familiar traditions and turning them upside down in ways that revealed deeper meaning. One example is when he washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper. By washing their feet, Jesus demonstrated tender care and made the everyday ritual of foot washing something richer and more meaningful.
3 Ways to Prepare for Change
As I have gotten older — and hopefully a bit wiser — I have come to understand that challenging structures or injustices is not enough. We need faithful and life-giving ways to replace or to turn those structures upside down, so they can meet the needs of the church, as we seek to follow Jesus. I believe leading that kind of change begins within ourselves. Here are three ways we can prepare for change:
1. Practice letting go
Change often brings anxiety. We may set a path for change, but there will always be twists and turns along the way. We must learn to adapt, and often that includes gently letting go of the belief that “this is the way things are done.” This can be difficult because that phrase is often at the core of the culture of our workplace, family life or whatever area where we are experiencing change. When I experience the anxiety of loss, I use meditation as a spiritual practice to visualize letting go and reaching toward what God has next. There are many ways to approach meditation. This practice has helped me adapt to change and embrace new possibilities with hope.
2. Treat change as an experiment
When we experience something new, we can approach it as an experiment. Doing so gives us the freedom to experience both success and missed marks – and to learn from both. In my past when I have failed, it has often come with self-doubt, shame and self-criticism. I was taught to strive to succeed; failure was not an option. One helpful tool I have used after working on a project is to list the areas where I did well and the areas where things did not go well. Then, I list what I learned from those experiences. Putting learning at the forefront is more gracious and life-giving than comparing ourselves with others or evaluating ourselves on a scale. It encourages change and growth.
3. Model the change you seek
Finally, one of my favorite verses is Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds/works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (NRSV) Another quote, often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, is, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Live the change you seek in following Jesus, so that, as a church, we can collectively model the way of Jesus. We have all been shaped by people in our lives who inspired us. They left footprints for us to follow – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, teachers and others who demonstrated the power of transformation.
As MC USA looks at reimagining the church, my prayer is that you walk alongside us as partners for change, seeking to be a faithful church and following Jesus, who is our ultimate transformational model for life.
For further reflection
As Mennonite Church USA explores what it means to reimagine our structure, we invite you to engage with our recommended book list. These resources offer historical insight, theological grounding, and creative imagination to help us discern how our structures can better serve our calling today.