May 13, 2011 by Allen Coleman 1 comments

Posted in: Church

I want to talk specifically about pace. However, not in the traditional context. I understand that many of you will have varying opinions due to differing stages of your organization or ministry. That's exactly my point. Different stages require a different, strategic pace. For example, in my context, planting/re-planting is unique in its resources, size, programs, emphasis, and pace. And as I said, pace is where our focus will be.

"This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away." (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)

Paul is clear. "...time has grown very short". His point is that we are to attend to the kinds of daily affairs that would be unimportant if Christ were returning within weeks or months. Paul is the same man that reminds us what we want comes second to our mission (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). He exhorts those of us who are married, to live with an urgency, that by comparisson, make us look like we aren't. Paul is not advocating abuse, inattention, or absence with our families. There is far too much of that in the Church already. Rather, he's simply trying to show the contrast between our love for Jesus and His mission compared to that of everything else. 

No one feels the weight of this urgency in our church's context more than I. While I understand that there are far greater priorities in my life, namely husband and father, I still carry the burden of moving our church through this delicate season. I must regularly remind myself that it is Jesus who is responsbile for all of this, not I (Matthew 16:18). Nevertheless, my faithfulness to His mission includes making decisions for the bride. These decisions are supported or impeded by varying adoption patterns within every church. Let's look at these varying adoption patterns:

• INNOVATORS: The people pushing change. Innovators are extremely important to ensuring an organization doesn't not die.
• EARLY ADOPTERS: Respectable people, opinion leaders, who try out new ideas despite heavy risk. Usually criticized by the majority.
• MID-ADOPTERS: Thoughtful people, careful, willing to accept change once they've watched the early adopters for awhile. Receive very little criticism. Mid adopters are ok with a moderate amount of risk.
• LATE ADOPTERS: The skeptics within an organization. They will embrace change once all objections have been overcome and very little risk is present. They will use new ideas or products only once the majority is using it.
• LAGGARDS: They will try new things, but only so they can offer criticism. They seldom get on board with new policies, programs & changes. They can slow, cripple, and in some cases, kill an organization because of their unwillingness to change.

Let me offer up an appropriate example of how this plays out. Earlier this year our church launched an online communication network called The City. The early and mid adopters were willing to learn and stick with it and use The City to its potential. As a result, many of them find it to be an incredibly valuable tool to our ministry. Late adopters and laggards were quick to point out what it "doesn't do" instead of focusing on the many benefits we just inherited. They were quick to explain "it's too hard" before really committing the time to learn it. This is not to say early and mid adopters didn't have their share of hiccups, but they handled it completely different. One group gave time...the other gave up.

Laggards, in particular, sit on the outside of this new initiative and have found themselves "out of the loop". Their first reaction is always to attack the change, instead of coming to grips with the reality that they are the problem. As a result, we regularly have to keep bringing them back into the loop through other means, which in turn slows the mission down. Rather than working with the majority, they have become what they didn't intend to...an obstacle. Please understand, I'm not referring to legitimate reasons for late adoption or lagging, such as training or access (e.g. those without an internet connection).

This is just one example in the life of a church. Facility changes, leadership changes, budget adjustments, and overall directional shifts are all subject to these adoption patterns. The reasons vary just as much. Relationships with particular leaders, proximity, uncertainty, misunderstanding, and preferences can all affect how we adopt change. We need to be aware of this because our adoption patterns must change depending on the season. The more critical the season, the more early and mid adopters are needed. The stronger and healthier an organization becomes, late adopters become more valuable in ensuring we don't jump the gun. Laggards will always threaten the health of an organization and must be put out of leadership regardless of seasonal stage.

For us, our pace must be quick because our time is short. A quick pace is not indicative of carelessness or impatience, but rather an unwilllingness to be an obstacle. So let us conclude with some questions that I would encourage each of you to ask yourselves:

• What are your priorities? Where does the church and mission fit into that list?
• In the recent changes your organization has gone through, which adoption pattern have you followed?
• How critical is this season for your organization? 
• Does your adoption pattern make you an obstacle considering the critical nature of the season and your list of priorities?
• If so, who do you need to repent and apologize to? 
• How can you make a stronger effort concerning change within your organization?

My prayer is that in your organization, specifically the church, you move at the pace necessary to help it reach its goals. That you find yourself a contributor, not an obstacle. Should you slow change down, may it be because the Holy Spirit has given to you specific discernment intended for the good of the whole body (Ephesians 5:15-17). Finally, that you would be a loving example of unity and edification. For we must all feel the weight of our mission, not just a select few.

Thanks be to Jesus for my community at Epic Faith. May our mishaps and course corrections be publicly displayed for the good of the whole Church and the glory of God. We are an imperfect people who are sanctified by a perfect Shepherd.

"...we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." (Ephesians 4:15-16)

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