By Dr. Waylon Bailey.
Yesterday in my blog (www.waylonbailey.com), I explained the concept or early, middle, and late adopters. You will find that this paradigm is very helpful in understanding people, and society as a whole, but especially helpful to understand a church congregation. By the way, I would appreciate your subscribing to my blog (it’s free and easy to do) so that I can communicate with you about church, leadership, and applying God’s Word to our lives.
Here is the point about Early, Middle, and Late Adopters.
We all adapt to change either early, late, or in the middle. As you might expect, most of us are middle adopters. Only a relatively few people are early or late adopters.
This helps us understand what we are going through as we regather.
Early adopters showed up last week for our regathering – and were early to the worship service! Some middle adopters also came.
Over the next few weeks or months, other middle adopters will return as they feel comfortable.
Late adopters may take quite a long time to return. In fact, some may become never-adopters.
(Obviously, this does not explain everyone’s decision based on age and pre-existing health conditions.)
How do we deal with each of these?
First, we recognize that there is no “right” or “wrong” way. People are simply responding in the way (for the most part) they are wired. I might be an early adopter in one area and a late adopter in another.
Second, we must all let others be who they are, even if they frustrate us in certain ways.
Third, we must treat others as we want to be treated. We call this simple command of Jesus “The Golden Rule.”
Attitudes that display Jesus’ teaching certainly are “golden.”
Fourth, we must recognize that we are doing something we’ve never done before. It is difficult for us all. As we put ourselves in the place of others, we begin to see how they feel and what they are experiencing.
Finally, we must seek to honor God in all our ways and in all our attitudes. We must do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.