The Tipping Point for
Change in a Congregation

by Bill Zelazny, District Executive

A little while ago I got around to reading Malcom Gladwell’s The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Difference. The book looks at how a little change can have a major impact on a system and it can happen quickly. For example, health epidemics happen quickly. The addition of only a few new cases makes a health problem an epidemic. This change caused by a small thing is the tipping point. Tipping points affect congregation life and leaders need to be aware of three conditions.

Change is contagious. Change in social groups happens like an epidemic. Stress in and to a system develops when a critical mass of persons unite either in the new direction or to resist. And that number does not have to be big. Gladwell calls the phenomenon the Law of the Few. In small groups a very few people, or even one person can change the direction for better or for ill. Research by Larry McSwain, professor of Ethics and Leadership at McAfee School of Theology, indicates that the tipping point in a congregation is about 15% of active members. There is always an undercurrent of dissatisfaction but if the numbers stay under 15% then the church can function normally, but over 15% and conflict develops. Fortunately, the same applies to health. The infusion of a small number of people with a positive attitude can bring about enthusiasm and health in the whole system.

Little causes have big effects. A major new initiative or “star” guest speaker brought in for an event can initiate a major change. But most often real change happens more subtly. Something happens and an idea “catches.” Generally it is when an idea gets repeated until it has affected that critical number to make a change. But for the “message” or idea to stick it needs to be presented many times in many different ways, because people hear and learn differently.

Change happens not gradually, but at one dramatic moment. While there may be long term development behind an idea or a conflict – “it’s been brewing for a long time” – most often it is a small event that causes the change. The Law of the Few kicks in; that last person connects and the point is tipped. This is for both healthy actions and for conflicts to develop.

A leader needs to understand the idea of tipping point and how a group can be affected by a few to consider their actions to promote change or disarm conflict.