I’m a firm believer in “paying your dues”, working your way “up”, investing your time, energy, and money in whatever legitimate endeavor you wish to excel. Don’t give up and all that jazz. And I think the wisdom of experience gained over the years is invaluable as far as teaching and contributing to the up and comers in a field in reference to both the hard work and skills, the history, and the changes implemented over time. Lead by example, etcetera.
Any person, business, occupation, even church or sport can run the risk of stagnation if they continue to conduct practices that no longer show a healthy sense of progress or growth. Clinging to what’s always worked can often cause a decline in credibility, performance, or interest in what’s being offered over and over again without innovation or inspiration. That’s not to say that any of these examples must be revamped to be productive, but it never hurts to take inventory to decide if what’s being done is all that needs to be done to keep one’s energy and viability at its best.
Oftentimes these segments of inventory or self-examination or critique can result in epiphanies, disappointments, rejuvenation, and/or genuine change. Change is rarely easy. Some people welcome it, others fear it. All of us need to anticipate it.
Success is a funny thing to define. It produces such a variety of responses from people, businesses, churches. Some think if the status quo is maintained, it’s successful. Others think things must always move and change, often to their detriment. And still others recognize when change is inevitable and catch a vision for what’s necessary to hold steady before their vision catches flame.
I’ve been stumbling around in the Christian publishing industry for several years, paying attention, gathering opinions, watching the results of professionals’ recitations (and some platitudes) about their industry. Some of you will recall my series on change in the industry several months ago. The number of anonymous professionals who listed their complaints demonstrated two things: 1. Change was needed and desired, and 2. We didn’t hear it from them.
The word that comes to mind when I consider the industry is “crossroads”. Without some change, this business stagnates. Print on Demand and e-readers have changed the playing field and offer some monetary changes and opportunities for prospective writers. The naïve praises for gaining validation from royalty publishing is sounding a bit shrill and a tad desperate of late with the new opportunities for yet-to-be-published authors—some of them wondering if royalty publishing really matters after reading some of what is offered at that “level”.
Is the “same old . . .” good, good enough, or not so good?
God, you know all things. You guide our steps as we submit them to you. Nothing is better than following your lead. Nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.