In this post, I am sharing my theological moorings or Biblical perspectives on change. 

First, we must be followers before we can become leaders, conformed to the image of Christ. If you’re not following the Author of truth—Jesus—who was the Way, the Truth, and the Life, you have no truth to lead others toward. By following “the Truth” our lives become anchored on something other than self-interest. This ultimately builds trust and others begin to perceive us as leaders worth following, able to lead them through change. 

Second, leaders must not be self-serving. Augustine of Hippo gave us a Latin phrase for sin that describes the opposite of our design and calling: “Homo Incurvatus In Se” which means, “man curved in on himself.” In other words, sin is self-orientation or a self-centered, selfish perspective. Furthermore, by definition, the trinitarian nature of God implies an others-orientedness; in Scripture, we see that the Father is all about the Son (see Matthew 3:17 & Luke 9:35), The Son is all about the Father (see John 6:38 & Luke 22:42), and the Spirit will always point us toward the Son (see John 15:26 & 16:13-14). We are made in the image of the relational Three-in-one and we best fulfill that image by being “curved outward” on others. That means we will not initiate change unless it's for others' ultimate good.

Third, leaders need to embrace change personally before expecting others to follow suit. “Do as I say, not as I do” is utter foolishness in parenting and all other forms of leadership. Our credibility is at stake. Jesus gave us an authentic model to follow; His sacrificial life is solid evidence.

Fourth, change is a collaborative process between God and people. We are changing or being re-made back into the image of God as we behold the Changeless One. God’s initial purpose in creating Adam in his own image was thwarted by sin. Through Christ Jesus, we are being recast back into the Imago Dei.