Be Innovative AND “In Touch”
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, December 15, 2008
- Viewed 64
- (16) comments so far
So… we turn the wheels and make it happen. We copy the idea. Sure, we might scale it down a little for our church, but we do it because it’s cool, or because it’s the new innovative trend. The problem is… in the process, we’ve become out of touch. We’ve tried something cool or innovative, not realizing that that’s not what our church was wanting or needing. We took somebody else’s absolutely brilliant idea and transformed it into a classic example of a hip, yet uneffective church program.
Many times, innovative ideas DO translate. And many innovative trends are working all across the country in all kinds and styles of churches and helping churches everywhere to have an increased Kingdom effectiveness. But in order for anything to be effective in our own church, we must, as Ballmer puts it, ‘stay in touch with our customers’. That means we need to know what the needs are of the people we’re serving.
What are the needs in your church? How can you better serve your community? What are the problems that you have right now that you don’t have an answer for? Those are the areas, as you listen and watch and stay ‘in-touch’, that will foster the greatest innovative ministry ideas in your local setting.
If you just cut and paste, you’ll find that your reality will be skewed. After all, ‘there is no substitute for innovation, of course, but innovation is no substitute for being in touch, either.’
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer once said, “We can believe that we know where the world should go. But unless we're in touch with our customers, our model of the world can diverge from reality. There's no substitute for innovation, of course, but innovation is no substitute for being in touch, either.”
According to Ballmer, we must be both ‘innovative’ and ‘in-touch’ or else our conclusions will become irrelevant.
Innovation is a big topic in the church today. Every year there are lists of the ‘most innovative’ churches. Some pastors and churches are known for their extreme innovation. And I’m very excited that today’s church has some of the best and brightest minds when it comes to innovative thinking.
But here’s what so often happens in the church world: We see a cool and shiny idea that some church in a town much bigger than ours half way across the country is doing. We’re so enthralled with the idea, the coolness factor, or the concept that we can’t wait to give it a whirl in our own church...
Comments
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Geoff Surratt on Mon, December 15, 2008
I love shiny things and just the word innovation raises my blood pressure. The tension I have to deal with, however, is innovation vs. effectiveness. If there is a less innovative but more effective way to do something, then that’s the way we go. Sometimes we choose plain text email over of html. SD over HD. Greyhound over Jet Blue. The question is “Will this innovation be more effective or just more fun?” Its not my money, so I have to choose effective.
Paul Steinbrueck on Mon, December 15, 2008
While innovation does not necessarily mean technology, I think many of the best examples of “innovative but out of touch” happen with technology. I often see churches full of 20-something early-adopters do something very cool and effective, and then innovative leaders in churches full of 50- and 60-something laggards try it and it bombs.
I’m of the opinion that church leaders have to be willing to try new things even if most of them fail. But usually, they should be done as small-scale experiments. It’s usually not a good idea to put all your eggs in one innovative basket and risk blowing up the whole church unless you’re sure its a God-directed move.
David on Mon, December 15, 2008
I don’t often comment on the main articles like this but I think this one warrants a word that wouldn’t otherwise be on here. Question: Why does the church take the advice of business and operate their church in kind? I have read the books about all the money that large churches handle and must be wise in the use, and distibution, of; I understand that we need to be aware of the people to whom we minister and plan accordingly. Not every method will work in every market and so we must be inventive and engaged in the life of the community to do work that impacts our congregants.
My problem is using the language of world business to fuel kingdom work. It feels more and more like we treat church attendants like consumers and the church as one more peddler of consummerist goods. We peddle ideas. We peddle programs and hopes and - dare I even say what we are all thinking now? - we peddle God. Is there any wonder that now so many Christians are behaving as though they can construct their own idea of God, whether they have scriptural truth or not? Is there any wonder that now other nations are sending missionaries to America? We have fueled the consummerist mentality in our churches so that if someone hears preaching, or music, or lessons that do not mean anything to them personally they just go somewhere else. Words are important and because we have taken the language of business in an effort to reach people we now reap the ‘reward’ of fewer devoted and growing attendees. less biblical knowledge in our congregations, and more and more acceptance of false doctrines under the false classification of tolerance.
I don’t mean to make a broad sweep across the board, but I wonder how many Christians today could point out just a quote from some popular Christian author’s new book and have no clue about the passage in the Bible that they got it from. The problem is then the reader’s knowledge is based on scriptural extraction and not scriptual comprehension. Just a thought. Any comments?
Eloise on Mon, December 15, 2008
I’m going to piggy-back off David’s response. My problem is that I don’t hear any reference to God. Shouldn’t the shepherd(s) be “in touch” with God with what direction the church should or should not go, what programs they should adopt?
Shouldn’t consulting the spiritual leaders and congregants also be the guiding and verifying path that should be taken.
Business, technology or whatever, it doesn’t matter, our first and only consideration should be the will of God for his people. This lack of reference as to leaders and or Pastors actively seeking the will of God, first,is what is disturbing.
Fred on Mon, December 15, 2008
More evidence of the church and business merger, which as business and government merge will mean the implimentation of a One World Order, where business , politics and religion are all unified. We watch it unfold before our eyes . As I have said before, much of the church is infected with worldly philosophical mindsets such as pragmatism, relativism of the Word and such. They take that which is of the world and use it in the church and justify it by the fact that it works. They see no wrong in it because they do not understand the philosophical mindset behind their thinking, which they learned in school, both public and the universities and colleges, even Bible colleges.
David Curtis on Mon, December 15, 2008
I think that we should all hold off on the panic button of the church being watered down by the models of the business world. I don’t think that Todd is telling us all that Steve Ballmer is the new Messiah and that we should modelling our churches like Microsoft now.
The point here is valid regardless of the source. Churches do need to innovate and stay in touch with their communities.
Fred on Mon, December 15, 2008
What is meant by innovate? To begin or institute something for the first time. Ok, fine. So what are we introducing for the first time?
The church needs to be responsive to the needs of its people, which are the needs of people through all times. First they need to be shown the need for a Saviour. Second the immediate physical needs are to be addressed, food , clothing, shelter. Then emotional needs such as abuse , depression , etc need to be addressed.
My question is what innovation is needed here? Do we go to the latest sociologica/phychological conferences to learn of the innovative methods to deal with these things? Or do we go to Scripture?
Maybe we are talking about innovative technology, such as powerpoint or etc. Fine, no big deal except for expense issues to some churches.
Or are we talking of new ways to attract the unsaved and keep them interested? I do not think we are then trusting in the power of God to convert a soul but are trusting on “change” to attract a constanttly changing culture. This is not the kind of innovation we need , unless your theology is that of us needing to do everything possible to excite a soul so that he will come to God. I always thought God works through our weaknesses, no matter what they are, not in our or the world’s strengths. Innovation seems to be man-centered for that is the kind of culture we have become—- a culture of technique. God has His technique for the church and that is the preaching of the Word. It alone is the power of God unto salvation. With that comes the Holy Spirit which will lead us into all truth pertaining life and the church. What is the innovation we are speaking of? Maybe that will shed some light.
steve on Mon, December 15, 2008
Come on Guys! Where are we going with this? The light bulb was innovative to the church at one time! The air conditioner was innovative to the church at one point in time. The keyboard was innovative in the church at one time. Innovative simply means ahead of the times. It means being or producing something like nothing done or experienced or created before. God created man to be innovative which means He must be too! I think technology is an incredible thing. All of it comes out of the mind and heart of God. We simply need to keep it balanced allowing Him to direct us. I think it is smart, shrewd, and quite innocent to use creative, even unheard of methods to reach the HEART of man with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
David Curtis on Mon, December 15, 2008
Nobody is attempting to remove God from the picture or to try to supplant God’s role in the reaching of people for the sake of his kingdom. But we have to remember that Jesus has chosen to work through us his church. That doesn’t mean that God doesn’t impact individual lives on his own, but rather it does mean that in the normal working of things, God has chosen to depend upon the hands and feet of the body of Christ to carry out the mission of the church.
Any method that we can develop to reach new people with the unchanging message of the gospel is so crucial to reaching people for the sake of the kingdom. Where would we be if Bill Bright had not innovated the four spiritual laws booklet? Where would we be if Billy Graham had not innovated evangelistic crusades. Where would we be if Gutenberg had not innovated the printing press in order to mass produce the written Word of God. Where would we be in Paul had not innovated outreach to the Gentiles.
Now, not a single one of those men did their work without aide of the Holy Spirit and the call of God, but each one of those innovated according to mankind.
So now I have to ask the question. What is so bad with innovation? By many of the comments today is sounds as if you are fearing innovation? Why? No one is changing the message here or the God we worship. We are merely attempting to reach people with the gospel.
Ken on Mon, December 15, 2008
Somebody was the first to use small groups in his church. The rest copied the idea. Somebody was the first to use a projector with words on a screen for worship - probably an overhead projector at that. The rest copied the idea. At issue is what is needed to help the local church do what God has called it to do, evangelize and disciple all peoples. Gimmicks will be short lived and the one comment that I resonnated with - is it effective? Will it get us to do our mission? As a leader, that is what I hope to put in front of the people.
Fred on Mon, December 15, 2008
Bill Bright did not invent the 4 spiritiual laws. He deduced that from Scripture , though I would take a theological stance in arguement with that. Guttenberg invented the printing press. That is technological innovation. NO one disputes that. So let me ask, what kind of innovation are we talking about here?
We are His hands and feet. But He is the Head and the Head dictates what can and can not be used to further the Good News. Paul said I know nothing but Christ. crucified and that is what I preach. He did not say he preached that after he wooed them with innovational techniques. That is what He seemed to be against.
I am not against using the computer (obviously) or using powerpt. But the importance that much of this innovation is taking does bother me. We have conferences about innovation. It seems way to worldly . Again I say. This concept is modernistic thought, which by all accounts is philosophically at odds with God. It finds its mooring in pragmatism, a modern philosophical mindset. I guess I see far to much ephasis in innovation and not enough on Christ alone.
So what kind of innovation? Do you have a new technology that will further the Gospel better? Or are we talking about having a technique that will woo people in with novelty? What is this nugget of truth from the world that we are supposed to grasp? Do we need to feed the needs of people with coffeee shops, or new sociological innovations?
I am trying to grasp what innovations and what effectiveness are we talking about. The Gospel is effective if they hear it and how will they hear if here is no preacher? I am an Elder in my church. We wrestle with how to get people more involved. We believe it is through exhortation and prayer as the apostles seemed to do. It is through the constant reminder of the fact that they are in Christ and to live as to the calling they were called to. We exhort them to live not as the world does, nor love the things of the world. By doing this , we have seen growth and blessings, slowly but surely, not so much in numbers, but in maturity in Christ. This translates into changed lives , which may change culture in time. We encourage the flock to evengelise others in the workplace, in the neighborhood. Invite them to church to hear the Word. Then if God does a work of regeneration in them, they will come to Christ. Is this innovative? Yes , God’s way.
David Curtis on Tue, December 16, 2008
Fred,
I am wondering if we are viewing the current state of the culture that we minister in through the same lense. In this post-christian, post-modern world we have to adopt methods that previously have been relegated to the field of missions. This is where innovation (technological or otherwise) can be an aide to the church in its effort to spread the gospel.
To reach a person with the gospel today there are often two gulfs that have to be crossed. The first gulf is that of sin which we know is only bridged by receiving the gospel of Jesus Christ in faith. So yes we must preach the gospel and never water it down, amen to that.
The second gulf is the gulf of culture. Because of the culture that we live in we do not have an automatic audience that is willing to listen to the message of the gospel. This gulf must be bridged before people are willing to listen to the gospel. The method to bridge that gulf may be different depending on the person and their individual backgrounds and experiences.
Outside of technology what can this innovation look like? It can be a new program to reach a new group of people. A friend of mine was blogging yesterday about a ministry in Las Vegas called Club Christ that reaches innercity youth with an afterschool program. That is bridging the gulf of culture with an innovative program. When the concept of Sunday School started it was an innovative concept to get neighborhood children into the church to hear the gospel. That is bridging the culture.
This is where innovation lies. Using our God-given creativity to find ways to bridge the gulf of culture to reach people with the gospel.
Brent on Tue, December 16, 2008
Guys, Great dialogue.
i love postings like this. Here’s my 2 cents worth from Tulsa.
I have staff guys who go to a conference and see the latest greatest thing - abandoning the process or project we were working on. We at times can be in danger of never finishing anything - for the sake of revelance.
I love being inovative - i love being creative - but if God really gives us a great idea for our church for our community - I believe we have to give it time to work. And many times in our case - we don’t. We see a bright shiny thing someone else is doing and we chase it, leaving something we once felt led of God and compelled to do for our church. For a season our people struggled following us because there was ALWAYS something new, and we never finished anything.
As i read the article - that is what i pulled out of it. have a GREAT DAY!
-BK
Fred on Tue, December 16, 2008
David,
Thanks for your response. You did clarify a bit for me.
I work for a ministry that trains youth leaders in other countries. While we do train them to meet the youth where they are (in their culture) it never becomes a ministry in itself as what we seem to be speaking of here. The emphasis is never on the culture, though it is hard for us not to transfer our cultural mores to them. We never seem to have that hard of a time overcoming culture. We become Chinese to the Chinese, Philippine to the Philippines, and Kenyan to the Kenyans. When I say that ,I mean we become Chinese/ Kenyan Christians, not Chinese/Kenyans in their culture of sin.
To get a hearing we instruct them to preach the gospel by challenging their presuppositions about life, government, etc. That gives them the “in” to present the Gospel. If you want to be innovative in presenting the challenge to their presuppositions , great. Sure , we have them meet their peers where they are, in the coffee shop, internet cafes, at work, at play. That is coming into the culture as we are in the world but not of it. So if one wants to start an internet cafe for Christ, fine—-just remember what the focus is, we tell them. That kind of innovation is fine, however we always tell them what you win them with, is what you win them to.
Could you give me a modern example of innovation besides Sunday School or how we need to overcome culture? Any culture outside of Christ is a culture against God. That is all culture.So what do we need to overcome? Language? Sin habits? Rebellion to God?
Remember , I have nothing against creativity. That is art and tech. That is a different category than what I believe we are speaking of when the contemprarary church says “innovation”.
David Curtis on Tue, December 16, 2008
Fred,
For a modern day example check out http://www.clubchrist.org. Which I think is an innovative Christian outreach.
What do you think the contemporary church means when it speaks of innovation?
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