Can We Do That Here?
Monday, January 17, 2005 at 06:33PM rough of an article i wrote for "Leading Student Ministry."
Birthing New Ideas for Ridiculously Successful Student Ministry
The documentation of the following story is nonexistent or perhaps still hidden in the caves near the Dead Sea, but this tale (or something close to it) probably happened.
It was a difficult time for youth rabbis. They'd racked their brains trying to figure out how to reach the multitudes of teenagers who spent half their lives in a transitional desert. It was the equivalent of an entire youth group composed of military brats and preacher's kids.
The youth rabbis gathered to present a short update to Moses and Aaron.
"We continue to have reports of unruly behavior," Aaron said with the impatience of an executive pastor. "Kids creating Manna fights, girls wearing golden calf necklaces when their parents aren't looking. Public displays of affection right there in front of the Pillar of Fire at night. Something's got to give!"
But the youth rabbi's from each tribe looked cool, calm and kosher.
"We're aware of this and we believe we have an idea that could change everything. Not a total solution but a step."
"I'mamamam aa-a-a all ears," Moses stuttered.
"These teens have been joined at the hip with the entire nation too long. They need... well... we need some time away from the glare of the Levites. We need a weekend. We want to rent some camels and take them away from the day-to-day wilderness wandering. Let these kids blow off some steam. Play some crazy games. We know of this great Yiddish comedian in the tribe of Asher who has this Bible Study on Father Abraham- He calls it 'King of Chutzpah!' It's a scream and it really challenges them to have faith."
Aaron, a bit skeptically, asked with his arms folded, "So have you put feet on this plan? What tribes will go on which weekend?
"Actually we're going to do it like our yearly tribe student rally. We're going to do a huge super weekend. All the tribes will be together. We even have a name: Exufuge!!" Then Yastafidivuzorvich, the associational student secretary handed Moses a scroll containing the proofs for the flier, the schedule and the proposed Manna budget. Hence Moses smiled and said, "Wha-wha-wha-whoa, this is off the ch-ch-ch-chain!"
The idea pitch was a success and thus began the first youth retreat for God's people.
OK, so it's not even in the books of the Maccabees, but it's how every successful venture begins: a group of passionate people who are willing to work together birth an innovative concept from a problem or need. And if you were to follow almost every successful new venture, a pattern would be noticeable. Here are a few universalities.
Every venture starts out with a need or a problem.
Problems are often the sparks that set aflame innovation. So many times we look at the problems as those insidious warts popping up all over our ministry that if only they would go away, we'd be much better off. This is simply not true. Ventures, especially Kingdom ventures, are birthed out of yearning, need and crisis. Before you can express a solution you need to eyeball the problem. Get your brain and your heart around it.
A successful venture almost always has the fingerprints of a number of people all over it.
Innovation is all about unselfishness. Why? Paul says, "so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." (1 Corinthians 12:25-27 HCSB
Paul relentlessly calls the church to work as a body. What an incredible analogy God gave him! There is a holy interdependence in the creative process of ministry.
Warning: Don't over-spiritualize the creative process. Many Christians do. They wait in their proverbial hammock, lemonade in hand, waiting for the clouds to part and the ideas and solutions to fall from the heavens like manna. Not so. True innovation is hard work. I love the way Jack London stated this: "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club!"
A new idea should be dummied out. This usually happens in a small group. You lay out the idea using giant sticky-pads and sharpies. It's the time when all the extraneous, odd, inappropriate, and obtuse features to your plans literally hit the cutting room floor.
The new concept or venture should experience an "alien invasion." The alien invasion is the act of thrusting new eyeballs and opinions into the room for initial reactions and input. This is maddening for highly sensitive leaders like me. You see these well crafted intricacies placed under the microscope of people who didn't bleed with you through the process. (As I write this article in my home I know that this experience will happen to me once I submit it for publication. I can just hear Paul Turner saying, "Matt do you think you could come up with an easier name than Yastafidivuzorvich?") The alien invasion is a required step. And you're wise to listen to their confusion and their criticism. One tip: ask people who feel the freedom to challenge the team. Don't just send it to everyone's mom. ("Oh sweetie, you're so smart and creative. I have no doubt it's going to work.")
Here are some super "C" questions you'll want to ask your group throughout the birthing process:
1. Will this idea connect with our students and our vision statement? Your best innovations and big ideas will not only be in agreement with the direction of your student ministry but it will be fueled by the direction of the overall church.
2. Can we coordinate this event with the resources and people that we have? If it's a God-driven idea, he'll provide the people and the pesos to do it.
3. Is this idea collaborative? In other words, will this be a one-man show or a collaborative experience?
4. How will we communicate it? Many a grand idea has been trashed because it suffered from a weak pitch. Be as creative communicating the plan as you were in creating the plan.
Finally if you need to present your newly crafted plan or idea, plan your presentation. Most people don't read and listen at the same time. Make the presentation an oral, team presentation just like the rest of the process. Develop ownership through the ministry team or workgroup. Use the Alien Invasion to help you foresee the questions that will be asked during your innovation presentation. Finally, don't just communicate your plan. Communicate your enthusiasm. And if you aren't enthusiastic about the solution I must ask the stupid question, "WHY ARE YOU PRESENTING IT!" (Sorry. I didn't mean to scream. )
After you've birthed and seen the fruits of this incredible, spirit-given, innovation please let "Leading Student Ministry" know so we can share it with other churches.
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