We sure have learned a lot this year. I think one of the biggest things I have personally learned is the value of adaptability. The old way of thinking was that you would plan changes well in advance and them implement them after much testing and collaboration.Then we were faced with a pandemic that required everything to shift at a moment's notice. We didn't have much notice or time to plan.
Psalm 37:5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you.
We just had to adapt and do it immediately.Many churches who resisted change in the past were faced with an unexpected decision: adapt or die. Some adapted. Some did not. Regardless of which decision was made, we all changed.In the span of a few days, churches across our nation began to learn and innovate. The playing field was leveled. It was an opportunity for churches and tech teams to shine, and bring hope to a world that desperately needed it.As we look to the future, I believe that tech teams and churches need to embrace adaptability now more than ever before. We need to have the ability to change and pivot in a matter of hours, not weeks or months. Here are some thoughts about how to do this.
Be ready
As a church leader, it is important that we are always looking towards the future so that we can minister in the most effective ways possible. Instead of being a reactive leader, we need to be proactive leaders. Not waiting for problems and issues to arise. But scanning the horizon and anticipating them in advance as a chess player anticipates their opponent’s moves. Being willing to take action at a moment's notice.
It all starts with prayer
Tech ministries are complex and often have complicated problems. I always challenge our teams to pray first when they face a technical issue. Don't go at it first with your logic and expertise. And don't forget that you have direct access to the greatest technical mind ever! The Creator of the entire universe.
Act fast
Sometimes we get stuck in the paralysis of analysis. We don't want to pull the trigger on something until we know it will be perfect. Sometimes we just need to take action. It's the difference between “Ready! Aim! Fire!” and “Fire! Aim! Ready!”It is easy to get caught up in the “Ready” and the “Aim” phases and never actually fire, or fire when it is too late. Instead, consider firing off the change, then Aim and get Ready. Mistakes may happen, but with God's help you will overcome those things and learn a lot in the process.I believe that God wants His Church to be able to move quickly and adapt to the hurdles we face in our world. This is not so we can be flashy and fancy, but so we can reach this world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
