Chip and Dan Heath’s newest book Switch is all about creating change. This is something that many pastors try to do.
The book draws on psychological research to sketch a framework to help those who wish to improve the chances of change. The authors are quick to point out that their framework is too simply to cover all cases and that nothing can guarantee change. People are free to refuse to change, as God knows so well.
But, that said, they argue for a three-part model. The model is based on a metaphor that sees the rational, planning part of our minds as a rider on an elephant, which represents the emotional, passionate, acting part of us. The last part of the model is based on the insight that our situation, rather than any choice on our part, shapes much of our behavior.
The three parts are:
Direct the Rider: Provide crystal clear and specific guidance. Don’t tell someone to work on their spiritual growth, tell them to read 3 Psalms every morning when they wake up. Often, people look like they are resisting change when in reality they are just not sure what to do.
Motivate the Elephant: Engage emotions. People can change through willpower for only a limited time. Our ability to force ourselves to do something is limited. Eventually, if the elephant does not want to go, the rider won’t be able to force him. Connect at a visceral level with people if you want them to have the endurance to keep with change. This is surely why fear appeals about escaping Hell are such powerful motivators of action. Colorful description of the torments of Hell connect to the elephant. So do promises of miracle cures and wealth.
Shape the Path: The environment around people has a huge influence on behavior. Create a situation around people that makes change more likely. Isn’t this a large part of John Wesley’s method with the early societies? He put people in close and constant contact with each other for mutual reinforcement and accountability. He also created a set of general rules meant to keep people out of situations that would lead to trouble.
Like their previous book, Made to Stick, the brothers Heath write in an engaging way and give us lots of interesting food for thought. Much of what the book argues has a “well, no kidding” quality about it, but it is clear that adopting and adapting the framework they offer will – if nothing else – help us think more clearly about what we do and why we do it.
I am a part-time local pastor serving 
The doctrine of original sin is surely more humbling to man than the opposite: And I know not what honour we can pay to God, if we think man came out of His hands in the condition wherein he is now.
