Any discussion of the VHS tape era will bring back a host of memories, a few smiles and laughter about the clunky set-top players. Family trips to the rental store involved endlessly scouring through shelves of stacked tape sleeves while eagerly watching the cashier, checking to make sure the tape was rewound and reminding you to do the same upon return. Ah yes, the good old days of home entertainment. And while our hometowns and neighborhoods were rich with local mom and pop video rental stores–even the gas station and grocery stores had a small section to peruse–many of us resorted to one of the giants who once dominated this sector of commerce: Blockbuster.
As DVDs began to seep into the rental market at the turn of the 21st century, Blockbuster navigated the change naturally–as it still involved a physical product on the shelves. But then came Netflix and Redbox, each offering their own convenience of DVD rental. Soon after came video-on-demand services from cable providers which lead to streaming through the internet. Blockbuster, the company that lead the video charge for years, remained stuck in the past however, failing to adopt change or foresee the future of the evolving market. Left in the dust, the company today has all but folded.
Change is difficult, but change is necessary in order for innovation, engagement, and progress to be made. We tend to look at change through the lens of negativity–often seeing it as something to be avoided. Even in our own production departments, rich with technology, evolving needs and growth, change is going to be inevitable. How can we navigate change in a way that leaves our relationships and integrity intact? Through intentional planning, patience, and marginal gains, change is always less disruptive when seen through the lens of possibility.
Why It's Difficult - the ‘R' Word
Browse any bookstore shelf and you will be met with a barrage of publications dealing with organizational change–case studies, theories, predictions, and every possible angle about change in the workplace. And you'll find the same when it comes to individual self-help. Thinking about our own life, when was the last time you tried to make a shift, major or minor, in how you live or operate? It's hard, right? But the question many of us wonder is, why is it so hard?
Author Steven Pressfield has attempted to ask many of these tough questions about change, drawing on his own life and struggles as an aspiring writer. In his book, The War of Art, he talks extensively about the battle of following not only his dream to write, but making changes in his own life as well, and it always came back to one thing: resistance. We resist because we fear, and we fear because we resist. It's a vicious circle that prevents so many individuals and organizations from innovating and expanding their reach.
While entire books have been written on the subject, it's worth noting how resistance is a common root and killer of change. So is this going to be easy? Not at all. Is there a simple blueprint that works for every circumstance and organization? Absolutely not. So knowing that resistance, from all sides, will do everything it can to prevent change, how can do we navigate–with integrity, patience, and confidence–this difficult part of our lives and jobs as leaders?
Two Views and Tough Questions
Let's assume you are in a growing church with an equally growing production department. You better believe that certain processes will have to modify and yes, change, as you experience growth. And with this comes the choice to think short-term or long-term. To be clear, there are certainly valid times where short-term change is needed. But often we take this view far more often than considering the long-term. While plans will change, budgets will shift, and goals modified, there is wisdom in the seeing the long-term. Because where we are headed is a place of sustainability and lasting impact, not simply a quick fix.
Wrestling with the tough questions is certainly part of this process. How will this shift affect areas for the better, not only next week but five years from now? Will we encounter growing pains in the interim but experience improved operation over the long haul? Is this change better not only for our production department but for the long-term vision and goals of the church? This is not simply coaxing our mind into false change. But seeing the benefits years down the road makes every small shift and decision much more essential and sustainable.
Communicating and Incorporating
As leaders in our respective church, we must not only deal with change ourselves, but also in communicating and incorporating this with others. Scary? Without a doubt. Many of us work with volunteers on a weekly basis. Because of this, we only see them for a short period of time. Unlike full-time employees, there is simply no chance to run every decision around a group, asking for feedback and input. While it's impossible for these communal decisions to drive all change, asking for advance feedback from individuals can be a powerful tool. Volunteers want to feel included and know they have a seat at the table. It at least shows that you, as a leader, care about their opinion --- that you want to know how they see a potential change, and better yet, a little advance knowledge of what's to come.
Another facet of change is when it involves the entire church congregation. Especially with the addition of new visual technology, navigating the groans of criticism–yes, that sudden “creative expertise” people in your congregation suddenly assume–can be excruciating. The secret here is not resisting the change but doing so with patience and gradual incorporation. Take moving lights, for example. Incorporating new lighting technology can be a big shift for many churches but one with many long-term benefits. If you want to shock an audience, then by all means, come out swinging the first Sunday in with every ballyhoo, gobo macro, and color change possible. Perhaps a better alternative, though, is to gradually work them into your designs. Maybe for the first few weeks they stay perfectly still, but simply provide new color washes, texture, and background. Then, slowly add a bit more here and there. That's manageable and sustainable. People need time to become comfortable with change and with a gradual approach, you're much more likely to get the majority on your side at the end of the day.
Small Steps, Lasting Change
While most of us will never weather a storm like Blockbuster did in years past, it is very possible we can replicate many of their mistakes unknowingly. We can choose to continue on the same path, never deviating nor accepting the fact that change is inevitable. Next thing you know, you've been left in the dust, furiously trying to catch up with sudden and unsustainable change.
Embracing change will never come easy, yet when we approach it with a mindset of patience, small steps, and long-term benefits in mind, what once seemed like a towering mountain is now only a series of tiny hills to conquer. And with this approach, we can guide our production ministry in fresh directions that will stand the test of time. Change is inevitable. Growth is optional. Choose to embrace both. You'll be glad you did.