Not So Sure Pastors Are the Innovators

Loved the Innovation3 Gathering in Dallas last week. Tons of great sessions; blogger reunions; long conversations in the lobby; brushes with iconic leaders. Leadership Network did an incredible job.

But the innovation talks were sparse. Interesting to hear pastors push-back the idea of innovation in their sessions. There were reminders of simplicity, the basics, and scripture. And these were pastors at some of the most most progressive churches in the country.

Just goes to show that the innovative minds probably aren't the pastors. They're the guys and gals behind-the-scenes who stick their necks out and blow horns in board meetings all week.

Comments

[ryan guard]

I just got out of a PowerPoint tutorial with my pastoral team... we're pushing 3,500 on a Sunday and still walking that dead dog.

I'm the new guy on the team, but I'm already becoming the guy that points out everything that doesn't work.

[Michael Schutz]

Hey Ryan, I'm in the same boat - being the new one on team, walking that tension as well. Thing is, that's part of why we're there - to do that pointing out - but it's still hard.

Ben, I wonder if the return to simplicity and Scripture is the innovation. I know that technically doesn't fit the definition of innovation since it's not actually "new", but I wonder if those concepts are new to this generation. I wonder if some of the push-back is people getting tired of chasing the latest, next, and greatest. I'm not so sure that should define us as the church. So could it be a fair comment that the Lombari-esque return to basics approach is actually innovative in our culture?

[Josh Wilcox]

Gentlemen, this is a Bible...

[Ross Reeves]

I agree with Michael, I think the innovation might be: less glitter, less gloss,& less technology.
....more on the 'invisible'.

[Steve Bradley]

Less complexity with improved effectiveness IS innovation. Less complexity with decreasing effectiveness IS NOT innovation.

[david]

why the craze to innovate. how people have been transformed by HUGE concert lights and funny videos.

I believe we need inovation in systems, approaches - or just seeing the light in the middle of chaos so we can reach our culture. Now, i love cool stuff, creative meetings, efective ways to communicate or get a project off the ground, but I wonder is innovation is overrated.

[Tim]

In the American church today, it's extremely innovative to strip away the noise, lights, and props. Getting back to just opening the Scriptures and teaching people to live the ways of Jesus will always be the ultimate innovation in any culture. In fact, I need to disagree with Ben. Pastors are the true innovators, especially those who are willing to stop listening to people telling them they need to constantly be introducing the latest thing in order to win the hearts of people...like Francis Chan saying no to building another mega-building and giving those funds to people who need them around the world. I look forward to Catalyst each year but we need less LED walls and more of the Kingdom of God. In fact, if a conference like Catalyst wanted to be truly innovative, they would have each speaker be on a bare, empty stage, teaching us from the Scriptures. God is sweeping our land, calling us back to living the ways of Jesus, while leading others to do the same.

[Daniel Decker]

I guess this all depends on how one frames innovation. There are many forms of it.

I’d have to agree on simplicity and basics being somewhat innovative. Innovation may be the introduction of something new but if something has been forgotten then bringing it back could be innovative too. The actual innovation though may be in how the resurgence of simplicity and basics are applied. (Made to Stick).

We live in an era where there is so much noise. To me, one of the largest obstacles to the church is competition with people’s TIME. People are bombarded. They have very little margin. They over commit themselves in many areas and their spiritual lives pay the price.

“The Devil might not make you bad but he sure will make you busy.”