Imitation or Innovation?

I'm learning more and more that ministry has to become more innovative everyday. What worked two years or even three months ago, might not work today. Innovation is what each ministry should strive for but it is a double-edged sword. I've read many books, attended conferences and talked to many people about student ministry. What is happening across the culture of ministry is a "quick fix" mentality of imitating bigger churches who have are perceived as successful. What is real success in the ministry? Is it merely numbers alone and bigger buildings and more campuses?

I want to use principles and ideas from mature leaders and ministries to help me but imitating everything they do will not work the same at each church. An important principle that must be in place is to be a student of the people in the church and community. Every city has a specific culture and specific needs. Is it our job as leaders to only imitate other churches specific goals, innovations and practices?

We must find their needs, aspirations, passions, abilities and gifts. Build the ministry upon God's Word and build relationships to create an "ownership" culture. I believe after watching the students in culture, more often than not they want to be part of a movement more than a program. Imitating what other people do simply compounds the hard work that every leader must face. Innovation means to, "the introduction of something new, a new idea, method (Webster's Dictionary)." It is crucial to do the hard work of creating a fresh approach to reaching people with the love and truth of the gospel. What I am not saying is that we have to reinvent every detail of the church mission, strategy, goals, and practices. I'm simply advocating the fact that imitation of other churches is putting a "band aid on a massive hemorrhage." Imitation leads to a "package deal approach" that is impersonal, cliche' and simply shallow.

We need to use every resource out there, research what other churches are doing but we must never replace our own creativity and spirit led innovation with a "copy+paste" approach to ministry. I'm still trying to understand how to approach an ever changing culture with the love of Christ. Ministry is hard work. Ministry is filled with imperfect people, leaders and situations. We need to spend more time imitating Christ and less time imitating other leaders personalities, and "church business strategies."

I'd like to hear your thoughts?  Do we need more innovation or imitation?

I Wish I Would Have Learned...

(my mentor, Dr. Tod Tanner on graduation day December, 2006).

Training is important. For those called into the full-time ministry it usually means either Bible college or seminary at some point. For me, I went to the Baptist College of Florida and Liberty University. I am thankful for both institutions for helping improve my development as a follower of Christ and leader. I spent many hours writing papers, studying for tests and writing sermons. It was great practical help that led to me following God into the ministry.

Outside of the classroom, I was taught more practical ministry advice than I often learned in class. I had specific professors who made time for me outside of the classroom that mentored me. Mentoring was the biggest influence in my life and has taught me more than sitting in the classroom. I just wish they would have taught me more about practical, everyday life and ministry choices.

What I Wish I Would Have Learned in class (that I've learned the hard way)...

  - How to respond to and help those who are victims of abuse? (sexual abuse, self-abuse, emotional abuse). It is crucial for those called into the ministry to actually know the most relevant and current issues facing culture!  Do we know the laws and issues facing students and families involved in abuse?

- How to manage time each day, especially how to balance time with ministry and family? (what should be a daily plan? how to invest in the family?). How does a minister balance time with a wife and children? Does the youth pastor need to be at every sport event?

- How to have healthy expectations of the pastor and staff. (Rarely did we talk about how to find out how personality types and ministry philosophies play a role in being effective at a church). There is no perfect church, staff, or locale in ministry that will fully make us happy. Joy must be found in our relationship with Christ.

- How to continually change the methods (especially if they don't work!) but maintain the same message? We are facing a huge problem today in many churches who are about to close doors. Leaders need to be trained how to "be all things to all men" like Paul wrote and reach people where they are at and quit expecting people to walk into church already "cleaned up." We need less arguing and debating on music style, dress codes, and whether the choir wears robes or not! We need passionate leaders who are impacting the lost with the gospel and leading them to church where they see true worship occur. If we do not change some of our methods, we are in danger of missing a generation who is looking for authenticity more so than traditionalism.

- How to make wise decisions with finances and what is needed to live on in full-time ministry? One issue that I continually hear from friends and college students going into ministry is how to manage money. Especially how do you manage money on a minister's salary (especially those in staff positions). How do you decide on whether to take on any debt for college/seminary? Do you want your wife to stay at home or work and eventually put children into daycare? Practical, helpful and wise teaching on how to make decisions is needed, especially in seminary and Bible college.

- How to say "No" to doing everything and "yes" to what is most important? Clear expectations of any position or relationship is important for it to grow in health. Saying "no" is important if we are going to do what is most important and prevent ministry burnout.

- Who do I talk to when I am discouraged, depressed or struggling? Ministry can be lonely. Outside of my family (super supportive) it can be hard to find people to talk too. Why? Because we are expected to "have it all together." People usually do not say it, but they expect those in ministry to not struggle. For most people, they think that ministers only work one or two days a week. I've been asked before, "So, when are you going to become a real pastor?" I have learned that I must have a mentor in my life that I can talk to about every struggle I face.

- How do I line up my calling with my spiritual gifts and personality? The most typical response is to be put into a mold. Each leader needs to discover who they are in Christ, their passions, gifting and then lead in that way! A majority of the discussions I have with college students I work with is that they struggle with who they are in Christ and what they are supposed to do for Christ.

I'm thankful for those who spoke into my life and continue too! Biblical training is crucial and helpful. Above all, we need less knowledge-based teaching and more practical life-application teaching in ministry training! Our focus must be upon reaching this world with the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ!

Health and the Ministry

I don't know about you, but I'm not sure if those serving in the ministry put a priority on their physical health. Health is crucial to the longevity of ministry. My prayer is that I will continue to take care of what God has given me and serve. I am guilty of coming home only to sit and lounge around. I realized my direction is leading to me a destination of being out of shape, overweight and stressed!

What I have been convicted about lately is the lack of teaching and help for people in the church to take care of their bodies! Why do I say this? Have you been to a church dinner lately? Health is usually not the first item on the agenda! I am not saying it does not taste good, but usually it is not that good for you!  What the church needs is encouragement to live to the fullest in all ways.

What I'm not saying is that we all need to be "health nuts" and begin to judge people who do not share our personal opinion on what foods are healthy or not. I believe that as ministers, we should be examples to others in how we eat and exercise. Exercise is not a set practice but whatever a person can do to maintain health in their body and mind.

If I continually eat junk food, fatty foods and lay on the couch each day I will become a lazy, unhealthy person. This would affect not only my life but those that I minister too. I might be going "out on a limb" on this but I would say that one of the crucial issues that is overlooked is taking care of our health. I usually eat the wrong foods (junk food, etc) when I am stressed or tired. I have to discipline myself to fill my body with the right food. America is at an all-time high on taking medication. If we are sick, we medicate. Medication can be helpful in the process but God has given us wisdom and practical logic to learn to take care of our bodies. My desire is to be healthy so I can be a better husband, minister, father (one day), and follower of Christ.

"Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: ²⁰ Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, ²¹ for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." Proverbs 23:19-20

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." 1 Corinthians 3:16-17