Developing a Future-Focused Church, Part II: Building Transformation Through Collaborative Teams

In this episode of the Pivot podcast, we continue our conversation with Dr. Kara Powell, Dr. Jake Mulder, and Dr. Ray Chang from Fuller Seminary about creating sustainable church transformation.

In part two of our conversation with Dr. Kara Powell, Dr. Jake Mulder, and Dr. Raymond Chang from Fuller Seminary, we dive deep into the practical aspects of transforming church organizational culture. Harvard Business Review reports that 70% of change efforts fail, but these researchers have discovered why some churches successfully navigate transformation while others struggle. The key lies not in solo leadership or quick fixes, but in building diverse transformation teams that can effectively guide change through four essential zones: here, there, who, and how. Our guests share compelling stories of churches that shifted from spectator-based ministry to empowering communities of co-creators, demonstrating how effective church organizational culture change happens when the right people stay at the table long enough to discern God’s direction together.

Whether you’re a pastor carrying the weight of change alone or a church leader seeking practical strategies for engaging your congregation in transformation, this episode offers hope and concrete tools for developing a future-focused approach. Learn why starting with “who” is more important than starting with “why,” discover practical exercises for imagining your church’s future through Scripture and community discernment, and explore how Jesus modeled the most effective change leadership principles. From building transformation teams with the right mix of authority and responsibility to creating church organizational culture that naturally develops disciples who live out their faith in daily life, this conversation provides a roadmap for sustainable church transformation rooted in theological conviction and practical wisdom.