Innovation: Church Party

Innovation: (From Wikipedia) Innovation typically involves creativity, but is not identical to it: innovation involves acting on the creative ideas to make some specific and tangible difference in the domain in which the innovation occur (emphasis mine). For example, Amabile et al (1996) propose:
"All innovation begins with creative ideas . . . We define innovation as the successful implementation of creative ideas within an organization. In this view, creativity by individuals and teams is a starting point for innovation; the first is necessary but not sufficient condition for the second". (p. 1154-1155).

I enjoy change, but not change for the sake of change, but change with innovation in mind, the desire to create or make new. With that innovation in mind, and a desire for our two services to get to know one another better (and for that matter, for those within the services to get to know one another better) we cancelled our two worship experiences and had a party on Sunday morning. The pictures above were what the tables looked like before everyone started coming.

We had a fantastic time! Part of being in a local body of believers is fellowship, so that's what we did. We laughed, sang, ate, prayed and shared communion, and did all of it together.

I believe we did exactly what the definition says, we acted on the "creative ideas to make some specific and tangible difference in the domain in which the innovation occurs". Isn't being creative and innovative alot more fun, and add LIFE to a church?

Jesus and Lifestyle Changes

This was the introduction to my sermon last week. This was the last week of our series was called "Revolution".

Jesus came and brought a revolution, a revolution not just of ideas but of an ideology. He brought not just a different way of living; He said this is the only way to truly live. He didn’t bring a way to get to God; He said He was the only way to get to God. He didn’t just say here is how to live in this world, He said if you follow me you will no longer be of this world. He brought a way that didn’t end with death but conquered death. He made eternity reachable. He brought a revolution.

In the words of Dorothy Sayers:
"To do them justice, the people who crucified Jesus did not do so because he was a bore. Quite the contrary; he was too dynamic to be safe. It has been left for later generations to muffle up that shattering personality and surround him with an atmosphere of tedium. We have declawed the lion of Judah and made him a housecat for pale priests and pious old ladies."

Christianity has the most radical, dangerous, message of life, calling us to a radical, dangerous, daring earth-shattering life, but too many of us live a life of hum-drum, safe and tedious days. Is that really the call of Jesus? Not according to the Bible I read.

Jesus and Revolution

I like this quote from a book called, "The Barbarian Way". I'm continuing a series at church on change and being a revolutionary. I am frustrated with the way the Church (the body of Christ) has portrayed Jesus and the radical message of salvation. To experience all that we can in our relationship to Jesus, it will involve a radical change of who we are and what we do. Most (American) Christians never get beyond "I'm saved."

He wants us to surrender our lives to Him and follow Him into the unknown. And if it means a life of suffering, hardship, and disappointment, it will be worth it because following Jesus Christ is more powerful and more fulfilling than living with everything in the worlds minus Him. Erwin McManus

Jesus the Revolutionary

Jesus brought a message that was so different, so earth-shattering, and so challenging to the status quo, that people wanted to kill Him. Not just the religious establishment, but “normal” townspeople either wanted Him gone, or worse, they attempted at one point to throw Him off a cliff outside of town. Jesus led an uprising against a self-centered life. Why is it that the world-shattering, life changing message of Jesus has become hum-drum and mainstream?

The church must embrace and enhance change. We have to be the instigator of change rather than the anchor.

Church and Change

These are some quotes from a pastor I have great respect for, Bill Johnson, who is in Redding, CA:

The Church is often guilty of avoiding creativity because it requires change. Resistance to change is resistance to the nature of God.

Religion is not only boring it is cruel. It takes the breath out of every good thing. True holiness is refreshingly good.