1. Diffusion Strategies for Change
Source: Charles Arn, How to Start a New Service: Your Church CAN Reach New People, Baker, 1999.
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2. The Wise Leader
Core Group
Committed Workers
Congregation
“The wise leader will subscribe to a basic 3-step process in presenting new directions to the church.”
Doug Murren
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3. Who hears it first?
Your primary leadership body should be the first to receive formally your proposal.
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4. If you start elsewhere …
1. You risk inaccurate presentation of the idea if leaders learn about it second-hand.
2. You risk resistance from leaders who resent that they were not the first informed.
3. You later lose credibility in public meetings.
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5. Layers of Bureaucracy
“Most organizations have layers of opinion makers.” Leith Anderson
Goal: begin with inner layer of concentric circles, get buy-in on change, move to next (broader) layer of circle
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6. Congregation Layers of Bureaucracy Other Leaders Church Board Staff
Church Chairperson
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7. Diffusion Sequence for Introducing the New Idea
Church Chairperson
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8. Layer 1: Church Chairperson
Even if this person is not a significant opinion maker, the position demands your early consultation
Highly symbolic check-off
Will help with political considerations
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9. Diffusion Sequence for Introducing the New Idea
Staff
Church Chairperson
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10. Layer 2: Staff
It is important for church staff to present a single voice of support for the new idea
Often resistant: the full-time music director
Can help resistant staff by taking them on-site to churches where the new concept is being enacted
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11. Diffusion Sequence for Introducing the New Idea
Church Board
Staff
Church Chairperson
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12. Layer 3: The Church Board
You need not only to have board permission, but strong support.
Turn board/council members into advocates for the change … especially in public meetings
Never surprise a board member!
Meet w/them before-hand in informal settings
Share your personal convictions
Ask for input & feedback, then prayer
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13. Diffusion Sequence for Introducing the New Idea
Other Leaders
Church Board
Staff
Church Chairperson
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14. Layer 4: The “Unofficial” Board
Find other gatekeepers, opinion- shapers, and power-brokers in the church
Deal with them before the meeting
Never let them be surprised
Let them offer their two cents out of the public eye
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15. Diffusion Sequence for Introducing the New Idea
Congregation
Other Leaders
Church Board
Staff
Church Chairperson
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16. Layer 5: The Congregation
There is homework to be done …
before,
during, and
after
the board meetings.
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17. Before the board meeting …
Handout 1: Church Mission statement
Handout 2: Charts & graphs
Handout 3: Testimonial resources
from practitioners, denomination, etc.
Handout 4: The proposal itself
Handout 5: Reasons for proposal
Handout 6: FAQ
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18. During the board meeting …
Distribute handout packet
Multimedia presentation or testimony from outsider or “expert”
Tell of own pilgrimage to the idea
Communicate that you are …
A). Passionate about the idea
B). Open to tweaking in how-to
C). Going to evaluate appropriately
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19. When honestly possible …
1. Describe the proposal as a short-term experiment, not a no-turning-back change.
2. Describe the change as an addition rather than a substitution.
3. Focus enthusiastically on the proposed benefits of the new idea.
4. Avoid voting now. Postpone the vote till a future, second meeting.
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20. In “the meeting after the meeting” …
Unearth pockets of resistance
Find key supporters and enlist their vocal support within and outside of official meetings
Incorporate any appropriate new twists on the idea
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21. In the “voting” meeting …
Keep the purpose front and center, building any change on foundation of shared values
Show a thorough process to this point
Have research at-hand
Drop names of key supporters
Emphasize total support of the board
Ask people to withhold negative criticism until a period of evaluation is completed
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22. And at the vote, remember …
Keep your expectations appropriate!
Innovators: involvement
Early adopters: support
Middle adopters: acceptance
Late adopters: tolerance
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23. Conclusion
A careful process of diffusing a new idea can enlist the kind of buy-in that reduces friction, enlists support, and makes the change work!
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24. Diffusion Strategies for Change
Dr. John P. Chandler,
The Ray and Ann Spence Network for Congregational Leadership
Copy right Dr. John P. Chandler, 2000
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