Leading With Hope When Communities Change

What happens after the decision is made and things still do not feel settled? In leadership, we often think the hard part is getting through the decision itself. But what happens when the decision changes the shape of the community? When people leave, relationships shift, or everyone is trying to figure out whether they still belong? In this episode, Rev. Dr. Tanner Smith, Chase Rashad Stancle, and Sarah Johnson explore what it means to lead faithfully after a major decision has already been made. Through stories from church leadership, organizational change, COVID, and their own experiences, they unpack the grief, anxiety, ambiguity, and relational tension that often emerge after seasons of discernment, and how leaders can respond with honesty and care. In this episode, you'll hear: Why good decisions can still create grief, loss, and uncertainty in a community How anxiety changes before and after a major decision, and why leaders need to pay attention to both What it looks like to bless people, process change honestly, and lead without defensiveness when a community changes shape Show Notes Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson Our Iceberg Is Melting by John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber Colossians 3:15 — "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…" What do you think of Practicing Hope? We're always looking for ways to make the podcast more meaningful, encouraging, and useful to listeners. Please take 5-10 minutes to fill out this feedback form.  If you're interested in learning more about The Colossian Forum, visit our website colossianforum.org, and follow us on social media @colossianforum.