But the process of change may be difficult for leaders and disruptive to the congregation. The impact of change in contemporary worship is clear throughout this report. Although we cannot tell if these particular symbols of change will be a passing fad or enduring aspect of worship, they point to a dynamic of change to which some congregations are responding. But change does not come without the emotional cost of conflict. The tensions around change are compounded when congregations are faced with dwindling financial resources.
Congregations report an increase in conflict as their resources become more limited.
Or perhaps their resources become more limited because they engage in conflict. Conflicts around worship are more likely to occur in center city congregations, where social diversity is higher and finances are less available. Although their reported figures may be slightly but not greatly inflated, we believe these observers are providing significant insight about what works, and what does not, in their congregations.