An Important Realization: What Works Today Will Not Tomorrow

I know this idea will stretch some of you.  It might be as difficult for you to grasp as Jesus’ new paradigm was for the guardians of the status quo in the 1st Century.

I get that it might be difficult, but don’t let what is working today keep you from realizing that even if it is working now it’s only working to a degree.  And the day will come when you need to take a look at other ideas.  Even ideas that would have been previously unthinkable.

I love this line from Scott Anthony’s Little Black Book of Innovation:

“In today’s world, innovation is not a choice.  If you do not innovate, you are sowing the seeds of your own destruction.  Success requires waking up every day and realizing that today’s sources of competitive advantage will not be tomorrow’s, that the products or services that constitute the core of today’s business might not constitute the core of tomorrow’s business; that success might require walking away from the things that you view as your core competency (p. 28, The Little Black Book of Innovation).”

Don’t be tempted to think, “It might be true for business but not ministry.”  You only have to look back twenty years to see that what worked in the 80s and 90s does not work in the same way today.  It doesn’t.  And if you think it does, it’s because you’re calling connecting the usual suspects success and you’ve clarified too small of a win.

Let’s don’t do that!  Let’s think about the widening 60% who will never be reached by the attractional model.  Let’s think about what still needs to be done.  Let’s think about all the world.  Let’s think about the last sheep that needs finding.

Want do you think?  Want to argue? Have a question? You can click here to jump into the conversation.