I grew up in a pretty conservative home and community. Risking and trying new things were not things to be celebrated. I went through most of my life believing that it was important to be safe than sorry. I began my ministry career with a mindset that it was wiser to do what had always been done than to try something new. For the first five years of ministry, I did youth ministry “by the book.” We had a retreat or two, fundraisers, mission trip, event once a month and a weekly programming. Nothing that I did was innovative or exciting. Students came and people got connected, but it was only because of the high relational value we placed in the ministries I led. I created a safe, dependable ministry that was producing safe, apathetic, and lukewarm believers. I realized that I was doing a lot of good things, but missing out on the most important things.
I remember attending a service at a church near me and my whole perception of what could be possible changed. I learned from that ministry that being innovative can be an impactful tool to reach a hurting and lost world. From my experience with that ministry, something was ignited in me. The idea that doing ministry in new and creative ways can attract nonbelievers, help people see Jesus clearly, and be a significant tool in assisting people grow in their relationship with Jesus. During that season of my ministry life, I opened a new chapter where I began to implement innovation and creativity in the ministry that I lead.
My first experience with implementing with innovation was a huge success. I was able to borrow a whole graphics bundle for a series from another church. The bundle had slides, video, transitional pieces, music, and even game ideas. (I know this is pretty basic, but for 20 years ago this was pretty mind-blowing.) The students and leaders loved it! They were engaged, they interacted with the series, they talked about the program throughout the week, people were talking. I got a taste of success in using innovation and I wanted more. Something awakened in me, that changed how I saw ministry and how I executed the ministry that I have done.
Over the years, my ideas of innovation have not always worked. One fall retreat we wanted to push our students to be more connected and treat their spiritual journey like it was a battle. We called the weekend retreat ONSLAUGHT and from the moment they stepped onto the bus, we created the environment of a military culture. When they arrived at camp, we had a volunteer who was in the army step onto the buses and give commands about what would happen next. In the creative stage we thought this would be a great idea. In the execution stage we had overlooked the 6th grade student who had never been away from home. The first hours of the retreat were us doing trauma care for many of our middle schoolers. I still laugh at how big of a fail that innovative idea was.
Ultimately over the last 25 years, I have learned some important things about innovation and creativity. First, innovation is always risky. People desire comfort of the familiar and as much as most people say they like change, the truth is most do not. When you innovate, you carry a risk of it not working out or the people you are trying to reach not being receptive.
Second, innovation is worth it. As much as most of us are comfortable with familiarity, we grow when we are challenged and invited to look at things differently. When we get out of our comfort zones we have the opportunity to examine our beliefs and mindsets and to grow. I have seen incredible growth and evangelism opportunities through creativity. I believe our minds are meant to be challenged and engaged.
Third, to be truly innovative, you must constantly be willing to innovate the innovative idea. I have seen many people stumble when they had an innovative idea and had huge success with that idea, but were unwilling to continue to be creative with that idea. Over time the innovative idea that started out with a significant impact turned into an old, safe routine.
Leader, young and old, don’t stop being innovative. Don’t let safe and dependable be what guides your thoughts and actions. Invite the Holy Spirit to give you the next innovative idea for your life. Take the risk. Jump in.