Innovators, Early Adopters, Early/Late Majority, Laggards: Which are You?
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, December 06, 2004
- Viewed 126
- (49) comments so far
There is a fairly well recognized theory by Everett Rogers in the business and marketing worlds about how new ideas eventually get implemented to our everyday lives. This theory holds true in many areas; from our cultural fads, consumer buying habits... and even our church life. Here's the premise:
For any new idea, there is a group of innovators. Innovators are defined as the first 5-10% of the people who first adopt any given idea. They are the ones who usually come up with the idea in the first place and refine the idea so that it is something that works. Innovators are venturesome; they are the most willing group to try something new and take the initial risk to try something out. They are also influencers... they keep in contact with many others in their area of expertise.
The next group, the early adopters are about 10-15% of us. These people are the trend-setters. They are the ones who are aggressively looking for new ideas to implement. They might not be the ones coming up with the ideas or innovations, but they have their eye on the innovators to see what they will do next. They'll quickly snatch up an innovators idea and test it out themselves.
The early majority (about 30% of us) wait a little longer to make our decision. Actually, if they're not actively searching out new ideas (like the early adopters)they might wait to see the first bit of advertising on a product or service, or get the recommendation of a friend before they jump in. But still, they want to be in on the ground floor. Early majority people still consider themselves 'cutting-edge', they just want to make sure the idea has worked out in some other places before they try it.
The late majority (another 30% of us) wait still longer to get on the band wagon. They still get on... some are excited, some are skeptical. But by this stage of the game, there is growing pressure to 'not miss out'.
The last group, the laggards, (about 20% of us) are true traditionalists. They are generally not interested in new ideas/products and are the last group of us to buy into new ideas.
Does this model hold up for the first group of questions I stated above? I think it does to a large degree. Let's take the "40 Days of Purpose" campaign for example.
INNOVATORS: Rick Warren & Saddleback Church
EARLY ADOPTERS: The very first churches that did the campaign
EARLY MAJORITY: Those churches that have already completed the campaign
LATE MAJORITY: Those churches who are signed up to do a future campaign
LAGGARDS: Those churches who will do the campaign in 2006-2007 or never
Now, of course, there are some churches who will never do the 40 days of purpose campaign for various reasons (theological, philosophical, they don't like Rick Warren, etc.) That doesn't mean they are laggards in every area. (So I'm not using this scenario as a blanket statement for everyone).
Where do you consider yourself and your church (note: You might be in a different group as a leader than what your church is in)? Do you agree with the above scenario or innovators, early adoptors, etc.? If not, what is your theory? Please give your ideas below. I'd like to hear from as many of you as possible today. I'll use many of your thoughts and ideas as I develop this series.
Has your church participated in a 40 Days of Purpose Campaign? Or even a 40 Days of Community Campaign? Does your church use video projection, or evan IMAG in your services? Are you using multi-service/ multi-format (worship) approach? Are you a ‘one church in multiple locations’ multi-site’ church or are you considering it? Do you use terms such as ‘seeker sensitive’ or ‘seeker targeted’ without even thinking? New ideas. New philosophies. New programs. New formats. New ways of doing church. How many of the above questions did you answer ‘yes’ to? All of these issues are fairly new in the 21st century church. But how did these trends come about? Where do they come from? How did they start? And why do we find that so many churches are taking the same ‘new’ approach in so many areas? I find this subject fascinating, and we’ll be digging deeper into the whole idea of innovation in the church for the next few Mondays here in MMI and in the MMI blog…
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Comments
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Shannon on Mon, December 06, 2004
I don’t know where I fit, I guess it depends on the “program” or “idea”. I’d like to think of myself as an innovator on a small scale (in my own church) but I find that after checking out my ideas or looking for similar ideas from other churches/ministries, that I’m not all that innovative. Someone else always seems to be doing something almost identical to my church. Which it totally ok. I actually see it as a confirmation. I personally stay away from the trendy campaigns and programs. I’ve found that my church and many like ours try to implement what some huge/mega/para church in some totally diferent region is doing. And when it doesn’t come close to meeting the results the campaign had elsewhere the “early majority” feel like failures and the “laggards” feel triumphant!
Charles on Mon, December 06, 2004
In our hearts, I think we know why Ivan, as a “laggard,” regards his outlook as Biblical. John warns us not to believe every “spirit,” but to “try the spirits whether they are of God.” Novel approaches and means can bring with them just as much an alien “spirit” as erroneous doctrine. Trying the spirits requires time to study and meditate them. Hence, while we may appear “laggards,” we are merely being sober and vigilant. Ivan is right.
Jerry on Mon, December 06, 2004
I really do not understand the question?
And I really do not like the insinuation!
All I really need to know about church growth is in what book?
Are you really insinuating that Rick Warrens word is more relavent today than the Bible?
I like some of Saddlebacks policies, don’t like others. What works one place may not work in another. What works in Calif. is not always understood in back woods Georgia.
I don’t like the new seeker sensitive movement, O I like to be seeker sensitive but I always have to remember the true Power is in His Word not in a man made program!!!
To much is given to outside reading and not enough on good old Bible study.
I like outside reading my self but when we seek answers to our ministry questions from mans point of view, shame on us……We need to get on our knees and pray and seek the answer in His Word……
By the way, the Church has survived for 2000 years and went through many culture and changing of the times………without Rick Warren.
I am not criticizing Rick Warren he has great accomplishments, I like his work and have read most of them……
The real danger here, that I see, is the pattern of looking outside the Bible for our answers to Biblical questions.
The Bible is all I really need…………….and that’s all folks
I will continue to read outside material, but my confidence is in Him not in him.
Todd Rhoades on Mon, December 06, 2004
OK… Todd here again.
The last two posts (Jerry and Charles) bring up great points… and still no one has answered my question from before. :(
First of all, I thought that I had gone out of my way to make this part clear. I do not think Rick Warren is God; nor do I think he is the antichrist. Jerry wrote, “Are you really insinuating that Rick Warrens word is more relavent today than the Bible?” No! Absolutely not… (and where did you get that from?)
Now, back to my question I asked before… why do those who consider themselves laggards (and are darn proud of it!) consider any ‘innovation’ to be evil or at the very least, of no value? I agree that with Charles that we should “try the spirits whether they are of God.” But that doesn’t mean that every spirit is NOT of God.
I agree with much of what you say, Jerry, but I’m not recommending throwing out the Bible for man’s programs. Innovations are just aids to help us better acheive our main purpose. Today’s innovations may be technological, video oriented, computer based, or even come from a mega church. Yesterday’s innovations included Sunday School quarterlies, Strong’s concordance and electric organs (seriously).
And whether of not you use current ‘innovations’ really does not make one bit of difference to me. Really it doesn’t. As long as you keep the main thing the main thing.
Which brings me to my question one more time… if we are keeping the main thing the main thing, why are those opposed to anything new always confrontational and in the face of those who are using new methods, while still keeping the main thing the main thing? And then, on top of that, quoting scripture to say that you are the only ones that are right?
Todd
(PS—I like debate like this… I realize everyone does not. If you don’t, then obviously this blog isn’t a good place for you. But this whole thing is hinging on something I’ve noticed among pastors for a long time now. (Hold on a sec… let me put on my helmet). OK. I’ve noticed that it seems that many pastors from churches that have reached their plateau or are in decline are many times very critical of churches larger than themselves, or growing churches that are using any type of innovative ministry to reach the lost. Alright, I’ve said it. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif I think this hits at the core of the whole innovation subject that I’ve brought up.
Again, my goal is not to enrage or inflame. I just would like to understand the other side (the Ivans, Jerrys and Charles of the world) without it being made into a biblical/non-biblical issue. Because to me, it just isn’t; again, as long as we’re keeping the main thing the main thing.
Alright… I’m ready for your response. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Art Good on Mon, December 06, 2004
Why reinvent the wheel? I learned in Bible college that “all truth is God’s truth.”
If God has given someone wisdom, creativity, and knowledge to use some set of principles (as long as they are grounded in the Bible) to advance the Kingdom of God I would be a fool to not at least ask the question “is this something we can/should do here.” I pastor a church of 50. We are having a hard time finding people to teach midweek boys/girls clubs - it would be impossible for us to produce some of the innovative things that Saddleback, WC, Fellowship, New Life Church, etc. produce.
Why not use them? What keeps us pastors of plateued/dying churches from using something that works somewhere else? One word: pride! God forbid He would give an innovative idea to the entire body of Christ instead of just one church here, another church there. I will use whatever works no matter who comes up with it (I am AG and love PDC - a program from an SBC dude) as long as it is Biblical.
Jeanette T. Brookes on Mon, December 06, 2004
I have observed in evangelical Christianity the following tendency: Someone has a breakthrough in his own spiritual life or in his church and, in his enthusiasm and excitement, writes a book or offers seminars advocating his new program or system. It has worked for him. Why shouldn’t it work for others — for everyone, for that matter? [The problem right here is, “It worked” — not, “God worked.”] The message soon spreads and becomes, “If you want to become more spiritual/holy, build your church, win the lost, or whatever, here is the program for you. Just follow these few simple steps, and the rewards will be yours.” The person who was the innovator may have been a godly individual seeking God’s answer, or he may have had a degree in marketing and assumed that the principles and methods that are successful in the secular market place must surely work in the church. Too many of us don’t bother to search out the motivating force behind the “new program.” What’s worse, the reason these “new methods” become so popular is often because too many of us want to shortcut God’s process and use someone else’s results rather than patiently endure the pursuit for ourselves. Ultimately, if God does not do the work — whether in our hearts, in the church, or among the lost — it doesn’t get done, no matter what program or system we use. And, very often, He chooses to use extremely unlikely methods to bring people to faith. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Co. 4:7).
Having grown up with this evangelical heritage, I have found for myself a deeper sense of worship in liturgical tradition (why has that often become a “dirty word?) that goes back to the very early church, and even to the Old Testament. I find comfort in the cloud of witnesses that have gone before me, and I am not alone. The Canterbury and Orthodox Trails are heavily traveled by a great number of evangelicals.
I recognize that “tradition” is not for everyone. Neither are the most recent fads. If we are to grow, we must all have our own personal Peniel where we wrestle with God. Much as we would like the opposite to be true, there is no shortcut.
Charles on Tue, December 07, 2004
Todd—
It’s Charles again (“Try the spirits, whether they be of God”).
I think you are assuming that a “laggard” is one who NEVER accepts innovation in order to cling to tradition. Not so. If I understand the definition, a laggard is merely the LAST to climb on board, retaining the option not to climb on at all if Biblical light cannot be shed. Within that framework, we need laggards in our midst. Also, we should not assume that laggards are laggards because they have small or “plateaued” churches. Remember Christ’s warning to beware the day that we are accepted of all men. On that issue, the Master was a bit of a laggard Himself.
Todd Rhoades on Tue, December 07, 2004
Charles,
Thanks for the clarification. I think we’ve both misread the other slightly. Absolutely, laggards are needed; and there’s nothing wrong with being a laggard. My comment was geared at the laggards that, as you say, won’t embrace any new ideas. You are obviously not one of them. It is wise to not jump on every bandwagon; and to use discernment. And different people take longer on that road.
I’ve been doing some thinking; and I think my initial post was confusing. I was interchanging ‘innovation’ and ‘trend’. Those are not the same thing. I think that Rick Warren would not consider purpose driven to be incredibly innovative; but it sure has turned out to be a trend. Innovation is one thing to one person, and something entirely different to another.
I also wish I would have not used 40 days as an example. It is a rather poor example of what I was trying to illustrate.
There are some out there who are much more up on trends and innovation in the church… I hope some of them will jump in here and save me! http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Here’s to a great day! (It’s still early!)
Todd
Reesa Ragland on Tue, December 07, 2004
In many ways I would say I am an innovator, but perhaps not in the above described situation. I am careful to hear and know for myself that a direction is God for me personally, our youth group or the church as a body.
In the above mentioned senerios, I guess I would have to say that I am a laggard. Not because I am resistant to change. I am very flexible to anything God wants. However; I am very careful to follow after the leading of God’s spirit over main stream opinions or fads.
Perhaps that in itself can even be innovative in some aspect. Think about it. If everyone is going one way, but you choose to have the courage to be different.
Afterall, isn’t that what we try to teach our children, not to follow the crowd for the sake of following the crowd? To think for themselves and make good Godly choices?
Please understand I am not saying any of the above mentioned ministries are not good or Godly choices, that is not my point. However; I do feel that we as believers have an individual responsibility to seek the Lord for His direction and obey His leading no matter what is popular else where. What does God want for you?
Also, I believe everything we do is a heart thing. Are we making these changes for numbers sake, more money or do we truly care about reaching more lost souls?
Many would say certaily it is about the souls. Not so fast, is it? Is it in every case? Remember, it’s a heart thing.
It’s a heart choice, what I mean by that is, check your motive. Are your motives pure? If not, repent and ask the Lord to get your heart right, then perhaps it may be His will to lead you in that way or He may still have other plans for you.
Let me say this, If God is leading you in this main stream way, then you should obey. But if you are in a church that is moving in a direction that you do not feel is God’s plan for your life, then perhaps you need to be in a body where you have a like vision.
How can two walk together unless they be agreed? Either you will hinder the work God is doing in that place, because of your resistance. Or you may hinder the work in your own life by not being in the place that God has purposed for you to accomplish the most Kingdom good.
To incapsulate my thoughts, I know that it is quite possible to be an innovator or even an early adapter or an early majority without being someone who blindly follows the masses.
I also think that being a laggard is not always a bad word. Sometimes this choice comes from life experieces and being taught by God how to restrain yourself from moving too quickly. Perhaps it could even be called… Wisdom.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Reesa Ragland
Youth Director
Children’s ministries
Amite, La.
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PS… I noticed this section begins by giving the example of facts and terms used in the business world. I believe we must use caution in mixing anything that the secular population does or says with our Biblical truths.
We are not of the world. Psalms chapter one tells us to seek not the counsel of the ungodly because their counsel will always be in direct opposition to what the WORD has to say.
The world doesn’t understand forgiving your enemies, their counsel would be to avenge yourself. The world doesn’t understand tithing, their counsel again would be self preservation.
So while we should not throw out everything we learn while in this world, (like how to tie your shoes) neither should we want a mixture of ever changing world beliefs with the ONE TRUE THING that is NEVER CHANGING and is ALWAYS TRUE.
GOD’S WORD!!!!! : )
John Morris on Tue, December 07, 2004
One thing that fascinates me is that we’re still taking a “what worked for me will work for you” approach to ministry.
I don’t blame Rick Warren, Ted Haggard, Bill Hybels, or anyone else for running church the way they do. In their areas and cultures, it is effective to do ministry the way they do. We are all called to innovate ways to reach the specific peoples we’ve been sent to. However, everything doesn’t always work everywhere. I’ve seen Purpose Driven, Seeker Sensitive, and Life Giving churches all fail. I’ve seen Calvary Chapels never get above 30 members. Why? Because the method is only as good as it’s relation to the culture it is implemented in.
In my city, there is a large diversity of people. Many different cultures are represented. Many different financial situations exist. One paradigm of ministry is simply not enough to reach this whole city. It’s a well-known fact that a large majority of church plant attempts fail here. Why? Because there is a lack of understanding of the unique challenges of this particular region. People come from thousands of miles away to plant their church, only to realize that what worked in Kentucky, New York, Oregon, etc, does not necessarily fly in Tucson. I think if we really looked at who lives where we live, we’d do church a lot differently. If you look carefully, this is what Rick Warren actually did. All of the work he’s doing now is because he primed his church to reach his local area, and tweaked accordingly. I really don’t think he ever intended to be the national celebrity he is. It happened to him because of his effectiveness in the culture he lived in.
May we learn to build churches relevant to the location and culture they’re in, for the purpose of winning and transforming that culture.
shannon on Tue, December 07, 2004
Todd,
Why are people so resistant if the “main thing is still the main thing”? I work in a traditional church in “backwoods Georgia” [to quote Jerry above]and several years ago I started a contemporary/college/genX/relevant service (description of service depends upon the generation in which the person describing the service was born)...anyway…
The Laggards are still lagging. Or better yet, they will never get on board and will be just fine down in the sanctuary with their organ and robes while we have our ‘rock-n-roll’ service in the fellowship hall.
Human being don’t like change..unless it is their idea to change…but most of us don’t like it when someone else has a new idea that will require us to change what we have been doing or if the new idea suggests that what we have been doing isn’t correct, effective, etc.
I was sitting in a meeting one time when a pastor lead a devotional on some of the great people of faith who blazed a trail for Christianity. People who totally bucked the ‘system’ of their time. I sat their in wonderment that this guy could lead this devotional when just moments before he refused to accept the idea that there was another way to take up the offering besides passing the baskets up and down the rows.
As I sat in that meeting I scribbled down this thought that is now posted over my computer
“We applaud the great ones who have gone before us, who challenged and even thumbed their noses at the staus quo. Yet we squirm uncomfortably when someone doesn’t toe-the-line we have drawn or that we have never dared to cross. Are we encouraging people to challenge the church or are we encourageing people to challenge their faith?”
Eric on Tue, December 07, 2004
Shannon must be either the Worship Leader, Student Minister or both? I say this because as a Worship Leader, “innovation” and all it’s issues, more often than not, finds it’s way to your “desk” because innovation, (OR the lack of it) is more often than not, expressed in & through the worship service. (new music, drama, movement and audio/visual) As a Student Minister, you are often witness to the earliest stages of “the next great thing” because so much innovation (revival?) comes from were God is working through young people. It’s happening right now! The old is becoming new again! The use of ancient literagy, meditation, prayer walks and the OLD hymns are back.(check out Passion’s newest release “HYMNS Ancient & Modern” which includes some works from the 4th century!) It’s so exciting to see, feel and hear God moving in the hearts of these young people and then, you face such entrenched traditionalism that the simple suggestion of “innovating” the way you take up the offering could lead to a church wide uproar! It’s draining and saddening.
BUT, I cannot blame the traditionalist nor the “laggard.” As expressed earlier, the constant and almost instant promotion of “innovation” IS the new innovation! They’re coming fast and furious and many are just retreads of an older wheel. I think we S. Baptists have two or three retreads of the Purpose Driven “wheel.”
I have worked at a church where in five years (before and during my time) the people went through more that a half dozen major “innovations.” Willow Creek, Brooklyn Tab., Saddleback and back to Willow Creek. There was EE,(Evangelism Explosion), CWT (Continued Witness Training) FAITH, Upward, AWANA and more! Many of these are wonderful programs and ministries but not piled on like that! People get tired and jaded! (That’s “haggard” not “laggard.”)
If what begins as innovation is poorly understood then poorly communicated, poorly implemented and poorly sustained, it will not be innovative to people but just another church growth GIMMICK. Even more time, effort and money and won’t be seen (or served) as ministry.
All this adds up to the “innovators” and “traditionalists” being done a great disservice. The innovators, great and small, get worn out (and burnt-out)and move on and even out of church while the traditionals, great and small, get more intrenched or appathetic and churches stagnate and decline.
Oh gee, now we’re all in great mood!
I think I need more coffe!
Shannon on Tue, December 07, 2004
Eric,
You are right on both counts as to my job title(s). I loved when you said, “If what begins as innovation is poorly understood then poorly communicated, poorly implemented and poorly sustained, it will not be innovative to people but just another church growth GIMMICK.”
I completely agree. I think the reason for this “poorness” is a lack of passion to truly see people transformed in Christ or too much zeal and not enough wisdom in setting out to do some of these (admittedly) great ministries.
I know we are way off the track of innovators and laggards, or are we? Anyway I needed to express that and I appreciate your thoughts as well.
Blogging is fun! http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Eric on Tue, December 07, 2004
Perhaps “innovation” is only relative to factors of location, situation and perhaps denomination. Shannon and other Georgians might appreicate this. North Pointe Community Church is a cutting edge, innovative church with a cutting, innovative pastor, Andy Stanley. They are in a fast growing suburb of a fast moving city, Atlanta. People ask “how are you doing it?” and Bro. Stanley teaches it, preaches it, writes it in books and it goes everywhere and people come to “taste and see” that the innovation is good! BUT, less than an hour from North Pointe are whole associations with over 70-80 member churches but only 5 or 6 fulltime pastors much less worship leaders. Purpose Driven? Seeker Sensitive? 40 Days? Only few have even heard of such much less implement them. Some have only just now entered the wonders of AWANA and they only use the King James version. (no, that’s not a cut at KJV) Innovative? I think AWANA is one of the hokiest things I’ve even known but you show me another ministry that has children HUNGRY to learn God’s Word! I’ll take their “lack” of innovation, sophistication & creativity over my arrogance any day!
Innovation for its own sake can have the dangerous undercurrent of pride, arrogance and selfishness.
Traditionalist Laggard..ti…ism…ness (?) also carries the same dangers. Besides, the next “innovation” has most likely already begun and has been growing for a couple of years. It’s just that no one’s been able to get the CD recorded or the book & workbook published. They’re probabley just hanging on to God enjoying the wild ride with someone telling them, “you oughta write this down!”
I can’t wait to see what God is upto next!
PRAISE HIM!!!!!
Jerry on Tue, December 07, 2004
Shannon, Todd
I think I probably know of you Shannon, real close to Snellville if I am correct.If I am correct tell Adam I said hello
I think you have missunderstood me on my blog. I use every inovative tool that I can get my hands own. It is only when I believe that I “have” to have these things to reach the Gen-X. Hey I will use them all, but I dont have to, “The” real “Power” is in God’s word not in presentations or programs and when we start looking for the answer to my problems in books outside the Bible is where the problems arise.
There is too much being put on outside the box theology today. We need to be seeking God’s will by spending time on our knees praying for Him to reveal His plan, rather than running to the books store for the latest and greatest. Let me repeat, I have no problem with all these great innovative plans and programs.
The best plan is His plan for me. The best way for me to find this plan He has for me, is to read His word and seek His face in prayer. Outside reading is important but I think today Outside reading is all a lot of pastors are doing. Poor Noah, preached a 100 years without a convert, must not have been keeping up with the times. Preaching all the time about that nasty flood was not very seeker friendly. I would guess he was a laggard, cause he shure was not an inovator!
And that is just my humble opinion
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