"To be built to last, you have to be built for change!"
—Jim Collins, author, "Built to Last"
—Jim Collins, author, "Built to Last"
Y 2 K – T h e y e a r 2 0 0 0. 2 1st C e n t u r y.
A NEW YEAR. A NEW CENTURY. A NEW GENERATION. A NEW BREED.
As a 20 year old college student, what did Y2K mean to me? It meant there was going to be a global crash of technological systems because our code was not written to support the new century. I could remember thinking what idiots (yes, I said this because of course I was a college student who knew everything and felt I was always right) we must be to not be able to support a century change. We’ve only been expecting this for 100 years. Are you telling me that my clock might not work or I can’t pull money out of the ATM machine because it was not built to support zero’s in the code sequence? I didn’t mind that the computers would not work because that would allow me extra time with my reports, but don’t mess with a college student’s money.
Well it turns out that everything was fine. I could pull money out of the ATM machine (I just had to figure out how to get more money in). Any ways, this situation and the panic that arose from it with the realization that in building our technological foundations did not account for radical change brought about many questions. Are we ready for change? Are we built to support radical, profound change? How can we prepare for change?
A few years later, I realized much change has occurred in the 21st century. What was nearly the end of many businesses, became the cause of their success. A change was required in order to endure and changes were indeed made. We have cell phones that now fit in your pocket. I once had a cell phone that couldn’t even fit in my purse. There are CDs instead of records. Internet instead of libraries. Email instead of snail mail. Atari use to be high tech, now Ninetendo is outdated and Xbox has filled the spot. Blackberrys, iPods, you name it and something more technologically advanced has been created in order to not fall behind and possibly lose everything due to the inability to change.
So what has this meant for the church running into the 21st century? In the past 6 years, how have we changed and what can we benefit from in order to not fall behind and become extinct?
First, technology has become a vital role in our existence. Technology has been able to support our desire to reach a broader audience. Outreach is no longer limited to your city, let alone your state. You now have the ability to reach others nationwide as well as worldwide. Email, Internet, and podcast, have contributed to the growth of the church.
Secondly, a more relaxed approach has been taken. Relaxed environments create more welcoming environments. On my job, we are given casual Fridays. On this day we come in to work in relaxed attire. This creates a more productive atmosphere. I am more comfortable and open when relaxed. I am more willing to listen and more productively communicate when comfortable.
Thirdly, a more open mentality has been taken. We are not of this world, but we do live in this world. We cannot be oblivious to what is going on around us or else we have put ourselves in dangers path. We must build our offense by knowing the defense. Know what appeals to as well as what offends the other team. Learn their style, their technique and build a “game plan.”
So how do we build a foundation upon change without bringing about fear? Well, change is always scary. If it wasn’t, then it isn’t change. However, things do not need to drastically change from one day to the next. Everyday shouldn’t be a guessing game. When baby’s get their immunization shots, they are received during different times throughout their first years. You can’t give them 20 shots at one time and (1) expect the doses to work properly without one immunization reducing the effectiveness of the other and (2) expect that baby to be quite unhappy and more than likely traumatized from such a dramatic experience. Likewise, we must inject the changes in phases. Inject one thing let it sit, and then inject another. Build a “treatment” plan. When one change has an adverse side effect, know what substitute you can give in its place. You don’t want to digress in your treatment, but sometimes a slower pace or substitute may be required to proceed.
So remember, we cannot stop change, but we can build a foundation that is prepared to support change. Build your “game plan” or “treatment plan” and be sensitive to your surroundings. Are your team captains on board with your new strategy? Are your nurses ready to administer a substitute drug? To build a lasting foundation, be prepared for change.
A NEW YEAR. A NEW CENTURY. A NEW GENERATION. A NEW BREED.
As a 20 year old college student, what did Y2K mean to me? It meant there was going to be a global crash of technological systems because our code was not written to support the new century. I could remember thinking what idiots (yes, I said this because of course I was a college student who knew everything and felt I was always right) we must be to not be able to support a century change. We’ve only been expecting this for 100 years. Are you telling me that my clock might not work or I can’t pull money out of the ATM machine because it was not built to support zero’s in the code sequence? I didn’t mind that the computers would not work because that would allow me extra time with my reports, but don’t mess with a college student’s money.
Well it turns out that everything was fine. I could pull money out of the ATM machine (I just had to figure out how to get more money in). Any ways, this situation and the panic that arose from it with the realization that in building our technological foundations did not account for radical change brought about many questions. Are we ready for change? Are we built to support radical, profound change? How can we prepare for change?
A few years later, I realized much change has occurred in the 21st century. What was nearly the end of many businesses, became the cause of their success. A change was required in order to endure and changes were indeed made. We have cell phones that now fit in your pocket. I once had a cell phone that couldn’t even fit in my purse. There are CDs instead of records. Internet instead of libraries. Email instead of snail mail. Atari use to be high tech, now Ninetendo is outdated and Xbox has filled the spot. Blackberrys, iPods, you name it and something more technologically advanced has been created in order to not fall behind and possibly lose everything due to the inability to change.
So what has this meant for the church running into the 21st century? In the past 6 years, how have we changed and what can we benefit from in order to not fall behind and become extinct?
First, technology has become a vital role in our existence. Technology has been able to support our desire to reach a broader audience. Outreach is no longer limited to your city, let alone your state. You now have the ability to reach others nationwide as well as worldwide. Email, Internet, and podcast, have contributed to the growth of the church.
Secondly, a more relaxed approach has been taken. Relaxed environments create more welcoming environments. On my job, we are given casual Fridays. On this day we come in to work in relaxed attire. This creates a more productive atmosphere. I am more comfortable and open when relaxed. I am more willing to listen and more productively communicate when comfortable.
Thirdly, a more open mentality has been taken. We are not of this world, but we do live in this world. We cannot be oblivious to what is going on around us or else we have put ourselves in dangers path. We must build our offense by knowing the defense. Know what appeals to as well as what offends the other team. Learn their style, their technique and build a “game plan.”
So how do we build a foundation upon change without bringing about fear? Well, change is always scary. If it wasn’t, then it isn’t change. However, things do not need to drastically change from one day to the next. Everyday shouldn’t be a guessing game. When baby’s get their immunization shots, they are received during different times throughout their first years. You can’t give them 20 shots at one time and (1) expect the doses to work properly without one immunization reducing the effectiveness of the other and (2) expect that baby to be quite unhappy and more than likely traumatized from such a dramatic experience. Likewise, we must inject the changes in phases. Inject one thing let it sit, and then inject another. Build a “treatment” plan. When one change has an adverse side effect, know what substitute you can give in its place. You don’t want to digress in your treatment, but sometimes a slower pace or substitute may be required to proceed.
So remember, we cannot stop change, but we can build a foundation that is prepared to support change. Build your “game plan” or “treatment plan” and be sensitive to your surroundings. Are your team captains on board with your new strategy? Are your nurses ready to administer a substitute drug? To build a lasting foundation, be prepared for change.
No comments:
Post a Comment