Change Management in Theological Libraries

This chapter discusses change management, an approach to large-scale change in organizations articulated by such business analysts as John P. Kotter in his book Leading Change (1996) and popularized by books like Spencer Johnson’s Who Moved My Cheese (1998). Change management is a multi-step process requiring a guiding vision, leaders with sufficient power to effect change, the encouragement of taking risks, and eventual consolidation of progress as a new normal for an organization. Lincoln discusses the benefits and limitations of this approach, provides real-world examples, and offers guidance on adapting these strategies to resource-constrained theological institutions.