INNOVATION: The DevotionalНамуна

“INNOVATE THE METHOD”

One criticism that can often be levelled at those who attempt to innovate within the context of the church is that it is an attempt to make Christianity ‘relevant’ to a new generation at the expense of what has worked in the past. One response I like to give is that it is crucial that we distinguish between innovation of the method and innovation of the message. As Christians, we hold to a message, the Bible, that is unchanging and eternal; the Gospel is just as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago. But, as the church, we need to make sure we are articulating it an accessible way to people today – we need to innovate the method in order to reach the emerging generation.

A great example of how this can work is the world-famous toy manufacturer, Lego. Lego has been able to innovate in such a way that it has been relevant to generation after generation, purely because the company hasn’t stuck with the same method. Lego was founded in 1932 by a Danish man called Ole Kirk Christiansen, and at the start it consisted of just a few red plastic bricks. Today, there are all kinds of Lego toys, video games, and the Lego movie, which alone has generated the company $468 million. The unique identity of Lego has stayed the same, but the method has been innovated.

One of Ole Kirk Christiansen’s famous sayings was that “Only the best is good enough.” Imagine the potential of the church if we all had that as our mantra, when it comes to our churches, our ministries, and our own lives! If we truly believed that only the best is good enough, I am sure much of what we do in church would change overnight.

In the 1500’s, Michelangelo used paint and a paintbrush to depict the glory of God, but what can we use today in 2023? Perhaps it’s technology, social media, or something else - this thinking sparks the art of innovation and creates some future-changing conversations.

As the church, we innovate the method, not the message. From generation to generation the message of grace is the cornerstone and foundation that is unchanging and non-negotiable. Everything else, however, is up for discussion and is there to be innovated.

Action Point – Within your sphere of influence, what methods can you innovate and how can you safeguard its core identity?