The author of Hebrews 13:8 reveals that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever”. He provides unmoving stability for his creation to count on with consist love, mercy, faithfulness, and justice. Unfortunately, many ministry leaders and church congregations have taken this truth as a mandate to also remain the same yesterday, today and forever, leaving an ever-changing world of hurting and broken people seeking a place of refuge that meets them where they are.
Innovators are severely lacking in the church, and most often the seats of Sunday morning sanctuaries are filled with individuals seeking stability, routine, and remnants of a past they long for. For innovators, this is not an appealing environment and often times they are labeled as mavericks, rebels or freaks because of their nonconformist attitudes (Marti, 2009).
Innovators are those on the far left of the bell curve that makes up 2.5% of the population and they are inventive, creating new ideas and processes that will appeal to the 13.5% called early adopters (Marti, 2009). Innovators rely on hard work more than genius, and a tolerance for missteps and failed attempts (Drucker, 2002). Unfortunately, differences in philosophy on the continuum from innovators to the far right end of the bell curve creates conflict over the approach to innovation (Hunter, 2009). Logical reasons are given for such conflict such as financial stability for the congregation, maintaining a particular demographic within the church congregation, preserving a particular agenda for a predominant member of the board, or not wanting to move until God gives clear direction. Other not-so-logical reasons are given such as it will require too much work, no one will support it, that’s not who we are, or I just don’t like that idea.
Meanwhile, churches become irrelevant, and hurting individuals are lost to eternity.
References
Drucker, P. F. (2002, August 1). The Discipline of Innovation. Retrieved September 2, 2016, from https://hbr.org/2002/08/the-discipline-of-innovation
Hunter, S. R. (2009). The innovation process in church congregations (Ph.D.). Gonzaga University, United States — Washington. Retrieved from http://0-search.proquest.com.library.regent.edu/docview/305093019/abstract/416D84FDFC1643CFPQ/1
Marti, G. (2005). A Mosaic of Believers : Diversity and Innovation in a Multiethnic Church. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press. Retrieved from http://0-search.ebscohost.com.library.regent.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=155664&site=ehost-live
