Well said. I’ve learned to embrace PUSHBACK… challenges me to assess different viewpoints & at times to reconfigure my approach & hone my messaging taking that pushback into account - call those “Sandpaper Interactions”
Love everything about this article! In every change, the delivery of the vision is so vital and if I miss a step on the front side, I find myself without many "eagers" and far more "equivocal's" and "entrenched" employees that makes getting to the finish line feel like I'm climbing uphill, knee deep in mud. Eagers and Equivocals are both important, but I feel like it's equally as important to identify the entrenched as soon as possible and either figure out how to get them into one of the other two categories or figure out how to move forward without them in a loving manner...either way presents a whole different challenge, but welcome to ReLeadership, right?
100% correct Brian. Many times the entrenched are a lost cause and the attempt to "turn them" is too. In my experience, I've always regretted not moving them out quicker. Perhaps others would have different opinions here.
I have often wondered about 1 Corinthians 5:11. My older version of the NIV includes in that list, gossip and slander..... The Apostle Paul says we shouldn't even associate or eat with people with a habit, an ongoing pattern, of such!
Personally, I think it is a person-by-person determination unless it is someone with church authority, that's a very serious situation that needs to be dealt with STAT.
I have been in stages of my life where I was being very hard hearted and no amount of love and understanding would've changed me. On the other hand, I have been in situations where my heart was truly seeking change, but I had no tools available to me to carry that forth.
Research shows (The Other Half of Church) that culture impacts much of that. If a church has healthy nutrients in their soil, the toxic people will chose to either leave on their own, or their character will begin to change for the better to follow the culture. Honestly, that option sounds the best to me because it offers hope to those who are truly seeking help but have no idea how to do it, yet moves those with hardened hearts out by their own choice.
Just my two-centa worth.... having never worked in ministry I'm sure my view is limited.
At this stage of my life's journey, I believe I am one of the "Equivocal." I prefer to pray, meditate, ponder,.... on things first and then "warm up to a new idea."
It also depends on the abruptness with which a leader throws change into our path, as you said, HOW it's done is pivotal to how we receive it. Good point, Pastor!
I think, most likely, most people have been in all three stages at different times in our lives....
Great article. In my experience, I usually find a few allies and we are off. Over time, more people grab on to the movement and when there are a few hold outs at the end, they grab on for fear of being left out.
That said, I am in the middle of the most challenging re-leading opportunities that I have experienced. In early December 2022, our pastor resigned. I was the only remaining Elder in our rural church. Nearly all of the change agents in the church had left by then, we were down to 40 people. A significant number of our congregants have openly stated we should not change, we are fine, being static is our strength. Those that do see the need are fearful and few in number. It is very difficult (for example, we spent nearly 2 years contemplating the spiritual angle of replacing pews with chairs).
I have re-led many different organizations very successfully, but I must say this is by far the most difficult. Think Hem and Haw from "Who Moved My Cheese". We are 70% Hem, 15% Haw, 15% Sniff/Scurry. But I believe that Jesus wants me to do this. We have had some wins, they are nonetheless slow and hard to come by, but we are moving and in some areas gaining steam, praise the Lord!
Well said. I’ve learned to embrace PUSHBACK… challenges me to assess different viewpoints & at times to reconfigure my approach & hone my messaging taking that pushback into account - call those “Sandpaper Interactions”
Sandpaper interactions. Love that Heather. Only way to smooth out the rough edges!
Great analogy! I like that!..... sandpaper makes a beautiful product, once it's done it's work, right?
Love everything about this article! In every change, the delivery of the vision is so vital and if I miss a step on the front side, I find myself without many "eagers" and far more "equivocal's" and "entrenched" employees that makes getting to the finish line feel like I'm climbing uphill, knee deep in mud. Eagers and Equivocals are both important, but I feel like it's equally as important to identify the entrenched as soon as possible and either figure out how to get them into one of the other two categories or figure out how to move forward without them in a loving manner...either way presents a whole different challenge, but welcome to ReLeadership, right?
100% correct Brian. Many times the entrenched are a lost cause and the attempt to "turn them" is too. In my experience, I've always regretted not moving them out quicker. Perhaps others would have different opinions here.
I have often wondered about 1 Corinthians 5:11. My older version of the NIV includes in that list, gossip and slander..... The Apostle Paul says we shouldn't even associate or eat with people with a habit, an ongoing pattern, of such!
Personally, I think it is a person-by-person determination unless it is someone with church authority, that's a very serious situation that needs to be dealt with STAT.
I have been in stages of my life where I was being very hard hearted and no amount of love and understanding would've changed me. On the other hand, I have been in situations where my heart was truly seeking change, but I had no tools available to me to carry that forth.
Research shows (The Other Half of Church) that culture impacts much of that. If a church has healthy nutrients in their soil, the toxic people will chose to either leave on their own, or their character will begin to change for the better to follow the culture. Honestly, that option sounds the best to me because it offers hope to those who are truly seeking help but have no idea how to do it, yet moves those with hardened hearts out by their own choice.
Just my two-centa worth.... having never worked in ministry I'm sure my view is limited.
Blessings,
Very good article, very well articulated!!
At this stage of my life's journey, I believe I am one of the "Equivocal." I prefer to pray, meditate, ponder,.... on things first and then "warm up to a new idea."
It also depends on the abruptness with which a leader throws change into our path, as you said, HOW it's done is pivotal to how we receive it. Good point, Pastor!
I think, most likely, most people have been in all three stages at different times in our lives....
"But for the grace of God, there go I, right?"
Great thoughts!
Correct!!!
TV
Great article. In my experience, I usually find a few allies and we are off. Over time, more people grab on to the movement and when there are a few hold outs at the end, they grab on for fear of being left out.
That said, I am in the middle of the most challenging re-leading opportunities that I have experienced. In early December 2022, our pastor resigned. I was the only remaining Elder in our rural church. Nearly all of the change agents in the church had left by then, we were down to 40 people. A significant number of our congregants have openly stated we should not change, we are fine, being static is our strength. Those that do see the need are fearful and few in number. It is very difficult (for example, we spent nearly 2 years contemplating the spiritual angle of replacing pews with chairs).
I have re-led many different organizations very successfully, but I must say this is by far the most difficult. Think Hem and Haw from "Who Moved My Cheese". We are 70% Hem, 15% Haw, 15% Sniff/Scurry. But I believe that Jesus wants me to do this. We have had some wins, they are nonetheless slow and hard to come by, but we are moving and in some areas gaining steam, praise the Lord!