How do leaders manage change?

Acts 10:45-48The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:1-2While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question.

One of the primary tasks of a leader is responding to, initiating, and managing change. Jesus’ early followers faced major changes, especially as the Gentiles entered into the community of faith. Many of the leaders were critical of this change—that God was accepting Gentiles—because change wasn’t occurring the way they thought it would or should. But God is in the change business. Good leaders, whether in the church or elsewhere, understand both the necessity for change and the tensions that come with their calling.