I saw an interesting notice on Vimeo last night.
It said “We built you a new Vimeo. Want to give it a try?”
The two options were: ”Try it Now”, and “I Hate Change”.
As church leaders, that’s the choice that many people make as we make changes at our churches.
We all know people that will give the change a try, and those that will kick and scream because they hate change.
As leaders, the people who will give it a try are a blessing. Those that hate change can be a curse… in fact, I’ve seen many a pastor’s demise by one or more people who simply hate change.
So… what do you do with these two groups of people?
Here are some suggestions:
1. For the people who will give it a try… don’t discount them. Just because they are willing to give new things a try does not mean that they embrace or even like change. Work with them and bring them along with the change by getting feedback, and input. And if you’re trying something that’s not working (even though you thought it would), don’t be afraid to pull back. There’s nothing worse than a leader that keeps beating a dead horse (especially when the horse laying there on the ground was your idea in the first place and everyone knows it).
Most people who are willing to give it a try are trusting in your leadership. They are also more forgiving when you make a mistake. Those are valuable people. Treat them with care.
2. For the people who choose to hate change… many of them will hate change for change’s sake. For some, it really doesn’t make any difference what the idea or change is… the are pre-disposed NOT to like it. And, believe it or not, that’s ok.
This group is a hard one to crack. But you have two angles: First, personal one-on-one communication is key. Talk to them personally. Give them your idea… your direction. Allow their input. Ask for their support. Funny thing is… when you ask for their support for at least a short period of time, they have to tell you either yes or no. If they say yes, it is harder for them to complain publicly. If they say no, then you know where they are and that leads down a totally different path.
The second way to deal with this group is through mutual friends. Believe it or not, those who hate change often hang with people who are willing to give change a shot. Usually, one group will influence the other. A good leader will recognize this and be on top of it. Use your fans to be your advocate. Ask the people willing to change to ask others to be willing to change. The reaction they receive may be well different than the one you receive (particularly if the first option doesn’t go well).
How do you get people to give change a chance?
Have you ever encountered someone who would not change if Jesus came down from Heaven and commanded it?
I’d love to hear your stories and experiences!
Todd
As a worship pastor, always looking for new songs and new ways to worship, I come across these two kinds of people a lot. Most people like to sing songs they know in the way they are familiar with. Keeping the hymns, lead by the organ and piano is an opinion that comes up quite frequently. They don’t care for the louder, contemporary, guitar driven songs of today. I think it’s because people identify with a song based on what the song meant to them in that time, when the song was popular or when they were younger in their faith and relationship with the Lord. And I appreciate that a great deal. I appreciate the depth of the “Old Hymns”… but singing a “New Song” to the Lord is what the Bible tells us to do!
I do so appreciate the people that will come along with the change being made. One elder lady in our congregation recently said… ” I understand the difference between the old hymns and the new songs. Our old hymns seem to talk ABOUT Jesus and what He’s done. The new songs talk TO Jesus and thank Him for what He’s done.” This was a huge encouragement to me as a leader.
At the end of the day, grace and patients are vital when it comes to change. We usually have a blended style worship service… the changers and non-changers are able to worship from their hearts to bring glory to our King. Change happens little by little.. and it is a good leader that realizes this and gives the time needed. We don’t want to bore the changers, but we for sure don’t want to run over the non-changers either. People will notice your grace or lack of grace in the matter, and will either appreciate your response and slowly come around, or will see your own obstinance and become even more obstinant themselves. Ministry and leadership is about serving people… those who LOVE change and those who don’t. How are you serving both?
Great insights re 2 groups of change resistant people. There are 2 other groups that must be considered; those introduce change well, and those who don’t. Sometimes the reason people resist change is because the leader has done such a poor job in leading the change process. (“You will change and you will like it!”).
Bottom line is that one of the key determiners in how people respond to change can be found in the leadership skill of the one introducing the change.
My seminary Prof said “For many churches ‘change’ is a four letter word.” and he is right. I think you need to move with those who are willing to move and pray for those who are not.
One thing I think that is important that many leaders forget is that leadership may have dealt with a situation for months or even years and then expect the congregation to just jump on board after one explanation. People need to be given time to warm up to change. Many people when given answers to their questions will at least be willing to give something new a try.
Great words. I am a young pastor in his first pastorate. This is some great advice. I’ve seen these two groups very clearly in the church world during my 10 years of student ministry. I think that Scott made a good point in that it’s not just on the hearers, but the leaders in presenting, too.