“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” -
Tony Robbins
I love this quote. I feel that it still rings true. If what Robbins is saying here is 100% accurate, then using traditional methods will continue to bring people in. I find this very exciting. What I also find exciting is that it also means that trying new things will bring us new results. What if we were able to mix the old with the new? We would continue with our old methods of reaching the world. On top of that we would also try new and exciting types of music in worship and new methods of witnessing. We would try to engage people with multimedia and live drama. Shouldn’t we be able to add the positive results from the old methods to the positive results with the new methods?
Sounds great! How does something like this get
implemented? It’s all about the leadership. Leaders have been entrusted with
caring
for what has been given them. I want to applaud leaders that are able to see and adapt to changing methods of reaching people. It’s easy to keep everything the same. I understand not wanting to cause ripples. Trying new and innovative things does just that. Change in general is hard for many people. It takes a true leader to hold on to real values and still branch out in a progressive way.
Should we be abandoning web 2.0 and social media as a way of reaching generation Y? You’re reading this on the internet, so I think we both agree that is the wrong response. “Much will be required from everyone to whom much has been given. But even more will be demanded from the one to whom much has been entrusted.” (Luke 12:48 NIV) This generation has been given communication far beyond what any previous generation has known. How can we afford to not use this to our advantage?
Does modern worship music, lights, and multi-media mean we need to let down on standards? Not at all! I believe it’s simply a way to reach another niche of people that might not otherwise be reachable. (It’s also lots of fun!)
Don’t hate on those that don’t find value in new methods of reaching the lost. Instead focus those efforts and energy on lifting up leadership. This is especially true when you see leaders branching out and trying new things. Innovators are getting things done and getting things done upsets some people. Don’t hate… show some love.
Be creative and think of new and exciting ways to reach
those
that are not being reached using traditional methods. These are exciting times! Who knows? Maybe you are in your current position for “such a time as this“.
