Discussion Questions:
- What do you think are the main reasons people in church communities often resist change?
- Raymond Chang suggests trying “smaller experiments from the edges.” What do you imagine these experiments might look like in your own congregation?
- Why might small experiments feel less threatening than large initiatives in a church setting?
- In what ways does doing smaller experiments help a congregation learn about itself and its community?
- The episode highlights the importance of “learning your way forward.” What practices might help leaders adopt this mindset?
- How can church leaders balance having a direction in mind while still being open to learning and adapting along the way?
- What are some practical questions leaders could ask when planning experiments, as suggested by Tod Bolsinger?
- How might churches involve their broader community (not just members) in discovering what changes or ministries are most needed?
- What challenges might arise when leading change through experimentation, and how can these be addressed?
- How does the idea of “leading the learning” shift traditional notions of church leadership, and what impact could that have on a congregation’s future?
