All reports indicate that Apple will be changing their proprietary dock connector from 30 pins to something smaller.
What does this mean to you as a consumer?
As you transition from one Apple product to another you will likely face the task of keeping up with a clumsy adapter or having different cables for different products from the same company.
What can we learn from this?
Apple had the fortitude to decide to abandon what has been a standard for many years. One that all iPhone/iPod/iPad users have become accustomed to. One that we have and extra 50 cables for. The interchangeability of the connector allows for the user to have multiple points of access for either data transfer or charging stations. Now we will likely have to fumble with clumsy adapters to allow the old cords to be used with new products and new cords to be used with old products.
As Christians we maintain legacy programs, products and events. But we have to be ready to retire these tools when their time has passed. This sometimes means having to eat some cost. At the end of the day a majority of ministry costs something. There are sunk costs and prospective costs. Sunk costs regularly encompass tools that are either outdated or clunky. Prospective costs are incurred when you perform a real assessment of the needs of your ministry.
Sunk Costs
- The old soundboard that is easy to use but incredibly limited.
- The six year old computer that was donated for overhead projection.
- The cheapo microphones.
- The radio shack wireless microphone with an effective range of 20 feet.
- The free website template for your Church page.
- The utilization of PowerPoint as your slide presenter.
You will never get that money back.
You have to consider it gone. And if the tool you are using does not efficiently do the job then plan for the next one.
Prospective Costs
- Creating a real dynamic website.
- Upgrading computer and networking equipment.
- Purchasing new software for program implementation.
- Better quality sound products.
- Preparing for the next wave of technological adaptations for ministry.
Prepare your budgeting committee to create a line for it. If there isn’t any room in the budget then speak with your pastor. Encourage him/her to let the congregation know that there are needs for items in the church that the current budget won’t allow for. If you never ask you will likely never get.
There are a vast abundance of resources out there for churches of all sizes. Varying from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars. Be prepared to spend some money. Without a capital investment there is no congregational buy-in. We often use our limited resources as an excuse as to why we cannot move forward. We use our limited knowledge as a crutch to make us feel better about not attempting to branch out.
We have to be prepared to realize when the tool we’ve been using for so long will no longer meet our needs. Regardless of how much money has been sunk into the tool. Regardless of how familiar we are with it. We have to cut it loose. This ability to honestly assess our current utilization of technology in the Church will effectively enable us to make decisions that will free us from outdated technologies.
Apple has provided a solid example of this model. Regardless of the push back they might get from consumers they have decided to pursue a new direction in their model design. There will likely be some growing pains associated with this. Consumers will likely grumble as they are forced to deal with the new way they will have to connect their products. But it appears they have decided that for the next generation of products change is needed.
[Image via CASHMichi]
John Bowersox says
Great article and a perfect example of what is wrong with the way many churches view change.
The only thing I want to point out is that this mindset is not just related to technology. The church I attend now is very much change adverse and many of the policies and procedures in use are from when the church was under 100 people.
Now that the church hovers near 300, many of those same policies and procedures simply get in the way of moving things forward.