The Thrill of Gain
Tactic Revealed.
It seems to me that within many church circles there is a degree of ‘Institutional Depression’.?That is to say that the majority of people feel disappointed and discouraged about their congregational life.?There are less people; more governance requirements; those who are involved are growing weary; rosters aren’t being filled; more churches are closing…??you know the perceived situation, we live it!
Over the previous month I have had the privilege of doing a number of presentations and consultations.?By and large these have been extremely well received by the audiences to whom I have presented and there is a mood of positivity and encouragement as a result.?Largely, this is a function of a tactic I employ all the time.?This tactic receives support from research.?Here is a graph of what I am talking about…
People have a much greater ability to learn from good news than bad!!!
?In fact the ability to learn from bad news is less when we are young, grows until a peak around the age of 40 and then diminishes again.?So if you are trying to influence an older group of people to change behaviour it is so much less likely that bad news will get your desired result.?
According to Tali Sharot in her TEDx talk about this research, “Fear of loss produces inaction.?The thrill of the gain produces action.”
It is my conviction that churches that base their life on Christendom assumptions will soon close, if they don’t already need to close now.?Maybe warning congregations, though, that their church may close soon produces inaction rather than action.?So often I hear leaders talk about the fact that we need to change or the church will close, but offer no clear pathway about the ways in which we need to change to prevent such closure.?Does this invariably create an inertia??Congregations are threatened with the fear of losing their (insert whatever you would like here…?building, worship style, church community etc. etc.) producing inaction and they are told to change…?but given little idea about what to change or how to change it.?
?Should we be casting vision about a preferred future that can get people excited??Thrilled by the gains?
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?Should the tactic be to excite congregations with the gains that changes may produce??Whilst being clear about what those changes in behavioural practice need to be.
?Here are 2 biggies of behavioural practice that will make a huge difference to your congregation and they are not based on Christendom assumptions:-
1)?????Leverage already existing relationships of trust
2)?????Amplify intrinsic motivation
My hope in sharing this is that you can frame your leadership by exciting people around the potential gains that changed action will produce.?And as always I love to hear your feedback so please let me know what this email prompts for you.?And as always let me know if I can be of assistance within your ministry.
May your following of Jesus allow the fruit of transformation to bud,
PS – the link to the TEDx talk that I have drawn upon so heavily for this newsletter (Well worth watching)…?
How to motivate yourself to change your behavior | Tali Sharot | TEDxCambridge