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      Praise for In Changing Times

      Ron Higdon has drawn on his fifty years of ministry experience to suggest ways interim ministers can deal with the illusions, anxieties, conflicts and communication problems in the churches where they serve. Higdon offers a clear and honest appraisal of how to understand the dynamics of congregations and how one can provide helpful leadership during the interim time. This book provides a needed resource tool for interim ministers. I commend it highly.

      William Powell Tuck, Interim Pastor

      Westover Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

      Upon hearing him preach regularly, a seminary professor of theology commented that Ron Higdon could take a complicated theological concept and put it in a sentence that could be easily digested. In this writing Ron brings this gift to the table set with transition times in the life of congregations. He is clear, to the point, biblically sound and realistic. He prepares the menu from the perspective of vast ministry background and what he has experienced as best for a congregation seeking health and wholeness for its divinely-given journey.

      Bob Ivan Johnson, Ph.D

      Interim ministry specialist and church consultant

      Being “too soon old and too late smart,” Ron Higdon offers valuable insights for ministry, Christian leadership, and growing as a disciple of Christ. He invites readers to become conversation partners in a journey of thought and self-reflection. He writes as a pastor, a scholar, a leader, and a lifelong learner. His insights are exciting and affirming; we are all pilgrims journeying together. He is a modern-day prophet, savvy enough to know that the future is not as important as today yet that the future depends on what we do today.

      Bo Prosser, Ed.D.

      Coordinator of Organizational Relationships

      Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

      Ron Higdon is right: “the time to discuss the characteristics of a healthy church is … NOW!” Drawing upon decades of experience and his discipline to be reflective and thoughtfully observant, Higdon has created an entertaining and insightful guide to life in the real world of congregations. Blending biblical and conventional wisdom with relevant stories and experiences has produced a superb guide toward a healthy ministry and church. Thank you, Ron, for this diary/map/motivational message!

      Bill Wilson

      Director, The Center for Healthy Churches

      The title of this book is a good clue to its valuable content—especially when you realize Ron Higdon has seen “changing times” in life and ministry for more than a half century. Unlike some who quit reading and learning once they receive their diploma, Ron Hidgon has been a life long learner. In Changing Times: A Guide for Reflection and Conversation reveals that the author is a voracious reader of books and people and situations.

      The sub-title of his book is also telling; it provides a good clue that the author respects the views of others and invites conversation. The author provides a role-model for congregations in this regard. What better way for congregations to face their ever-changing and challenging landscape than to apply the words of the last chapter: “Major on Conversation, Candor, and Compassion.”

      The author achieves his goal by providing tools for pastors and church leaders as they deal with “anxiety and conflict and an understanding of church dynamics.” This is a book “tool” you will read and re-read, mark and re-mark, dogear and reach for repeatedly to recover that much needed insight and quote.

      John Lepper

      Retired Coordinator, Kentucky Baptist Fellowship

      In Changing Times

      1 A Guide for Reflection and ConversationRonald HigdonGuides to Practical Ministry, Volume 2Robert D. Cornwall, General EditorEnergion PublicationsGonzalez, FL2015

      Copyright © 2015, Ronald Higdon

      Unless otherwise notated, Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

      Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

      Cover Design: Jody Neufeld

      Cover Image Credits:

      © Sepavo | Dreamstime.com - Stained Glass Photo

      (1557015)

      © Lorna | Dreamstime.com - Fists

      (818348)

      ISBN10: 1-63199-153-0

      ISBN13: 978-1-63199-153-0

      Library of Congress Control Number: 2015938149

      Energion Publications

      P. O. Box 841

      Gonzalez, FL 32560

      850-525-3916

      energion.com

       [email protected]

      Acknowledgments

      This book includes a number of incidents drawn from churches I served; I have attempted to disguise the situations but some will quickly recognize their congregation. This is another one of those times in which I find it easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission! I have attempted to be “pastoral” in my assessments and as non-judgmental as possible. My purpose is to use concrete illustrations that provide the necessary “earthiness” for the truths I am attempting to share. My wife would call this “taking it out of the box.”

      I dedicated my book, In the Meantime, to all the congregations with whom I have worked. My gratitude to all of them for their support, encouragement, and opportunities for “learning on the job” only increases with the years. Nothing written here is intended to be dismissive; I still believe every place I served was a part of God’s providence for my life and ministry. It was where I was meant to be at the time; my regret is that I could not bring the wisdom of later times to every aspect of my ministry then. Unlike those who have perfect 20/20 hindsight, mine is probably still more like 20/40. My plea for mercy is that I did the best I could for where I was, with what I had. Even now, although I believe I see much more clearly, like Paul, I continue to see in a mirror dimly (1 Corinthians 13:12).

      Although many of these ideas were whirling about in my head, I had been unable to find the best organizing principle. In a dinner conversation, Jim Lemon asked why I didn’t write a book in plain language based on my experiences that would help congregations deal with the problems and conflicts that are so much a part of any community’s life together. I knew immediately that is what I needed to do. Much of what I learned through intentional interim and consultant training was not a part of my basic seminary education. There seemed to be too few publications that brought the tools for dealing with anxiety and conflict, and an understanding of church dynamics, into the market place of everyday church experience for both pastor and congregant. This is what this book seeks to do. In plain language you will read about what I wish I had known from the beginning of my ministry but what you can and should know right now regardless of your church size or situation. A basic truth is that people are people.

      Throughout this book I suggest some “possible” activities. Almost all of these are things I have done with congregations during intentional interims. They are listed as “possible” because each church is unique; selection and adaptation are required; one size never fits all. You will, no doubt, be able to come up with improved and different activities from the ones listed.

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