E. If conversations change lives, then a working definition of a person’s micro-mission field would be all those with whom that person had conversation on a regular basis.
F. A social system has a structure which gives regularity and stability to human behavior; structure allows predictability in expectations and is based on information (norms) about which there is little anxiety or uncertainty.[1] Norms are established behavior patterns for the members of a social system that define a range of tolerable behavior and serve as a guide or standard for member behavior in a social system. Rogers “norms” are Senge’s “mental models.”[2] Compatibility within existing norms highly increases the rate and likelihood of adoption.[3]
G. Acceptance of an innovation is a process of communication that is “a two way process of convergence rather than as a one way, linear act in which one individual seeks to transfer a message to another in order to achieve certain effects.”[4] Dialogue is the primary activity of an effective Discipleship System; when the disciples are sent out to preach, they go in pairs; one proclaims while the other is in dialogue.[5]
HOMEWORK Discussion Questions:
2.37 For the innovation, “Jesus is Lord,” how could you help people through the five steps of adoption: knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation and confirmation?
2.38 For the
innovation, “Jesus is Lord,” how could you encourage adoption by increasing the
relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, observability and reinvention
while decreasing complexity?
[1]Ibid., 24.
[2]Senge, Fifth Discipline, 174-204.
[3]Rogers, Diffusion of Innovations, 26.
[4]Ibid., 6. Dialogue is essential for team learning and in processes of planned change. Senge, Fifth Discipline, 233-272.
[5]It’s obvious that while Jesus was teaching, healing, praying or doing other things, the disciples were engaged in conversations and doing ministry with persons in the crowd (Mark 2:15-16, John 6:8-9, John 12:20-22, Matthew 17:16, John 4:2). The disciples were practicing apprentices and interns, not passive listeners. Jesus would draw a crowd and stir things up while the disciples would engage people in dialogue as a means of evangelism.