For the past several weeks, we have been hearing over and over about how “unprecedented” these times are.
To constantly hear about something being unprecedented can serve to reinforce feelings of uncertainty, hopelessness, desperation, confusion, or chaos. After all, if this is unprecedented, then there’s likely no solution, some may think.
The truth is that every generation has had a mass disrupter, ranging from stock market crashes to terrorist attacks to presidential assassinations to war. Multiple iterations of pandemics have swept the globe in recent centuries.
By no means am I making light of what we are currently experiencing across our country. But I do hope that, as leaders, we are able to see things differently.
Are the concerns about health and the economy real? Absolutely. Do they deserve energy and attention? Absolutely. But does that mean that there has to be a doomsday scenario that gets fueled by talks of “unprecedented” uncertainty? No.
Right now, the Church is shining all across the country. In an hour of great need for our nation, churches of every denomination are striving harder than ever to serve their communities and be beacons of hope.
Because in times of pain and chaos, that’s what the Church is called to do: to rise above the uncertainty and be steady, knowing that we’re anchored to a solid foundation. Our circumstances may change, but our Savior doesn’t.
In 1 Chronicles 12, the nation of Israel was facing its own unprecedented moment. Thousands of troops from every tribe were ready to join together and fight to proclaim that David was the deserving heir to Saul as the nation’s king. There was no way to know whether conflict was inevitable or could be avoided, and the outcome could mark the nation for years to come.
As all of the nation’s fighting men are listed in rolls by tribe, a note stands out from one group in particular, proclaiming that the tribe of Issachar was represented by “men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command” (1 Chron.12:32 NIV).
Like the sons of Issachar, it’s a chance for us to understand that the times around us really do call for an unprecedented response.
Not only were these men carriers of influence (each having the ability to lead their relatives into battle with them), but they had a special intuition to read the situation around them and know exactly how to act. That intuition then allowed them to influence others to follow their lead.
Amidst an unprecedented time, their wise decision-making led them to a place of influence and leadership, and this special discernment was specifically noted so that we, thousands of years later, could learn from their example.
But how does this impact us, as church techs?
Unfortunately, many of us may have developed a reputation over time. That regardless of how unprecedented things around us may be, our response might actually be quite “precedented” and predictable.
We might be the first one in the meeting to say no, that something can’t be done or isn’t possible. We might be known for pushing back against new ideas. We may be seen as the person most likely to resist change or be inflexible. We might have a reputation for having a brusque or distant attitude.
So, these things become what other people expect from us.
Here, though, is our shining moment. An opportunity to change who we are and how we’re perceived by others. A chance to start over and rebuild bridges with other teams that may have been burned--a “get out of jail free” card for the times we’ve ended up in a particular ministry’s dog house.
Like the sons of Issachar, it’s a chance for us to understand that the times around us really do call for an unprecedented response. How?
Here are three simple areas where we can make an immediate impact on the teams around us:
1-Show an unprecedented attitude
As new ideas come to the table, let’s take an opportunity to breathe life into these creative approaches. Instead of smothering them to death with prattle about cost and logistics, let’s show ourselves as an eager partner who wants to energize the situation by bringing exciting new ideas to life.
Instead of pushing back on other ministries, let’s proactively seek out what we can do to serve them or enhance their vision. Let’s make suggestions based on what we’ve seen other churches do, even if it means more work for us and our teams. Let’s be the best champion for each team that we possibly can be.
Instead of smothering [new ideas] to death with prattle about cost and logistics, let’s show ourselves as an eager partner who wants to energize the situation by bringing exciting new ideas to life.
Let’s surprise others with our openmindedness and willingness to try new things. We may normally be creatures of habit who prefer predictable routines, but this is the dawning of a new season for our organization, and it should also be one for ourselves.
2-Demonstrate an unprecedented flexibility
Even though we’re several weeks into this “new reality,” things can still change for our teams on a week-to-week basis. In the past, we may have been more interested in stability and consistency than change. But now is the time to flip that script.
It’s probably been easy at times to push back against new suggestions or changes to plans that we feel are unwarranted or too late in the game. It’s probably been natural to grumble about how others don’t understand our perspective and don’t value our contribution.
But now? We’re all learning new things together. We try something, evaluate, and are willing to tweak it if it doesn’t get the desired response. We’re shooting services differently, broadcasting online differently, and connecting with teams differently.
It’s time to embrace the idea that nothing has to be written in stone until Jesus comes back.
It’s time to embrace the idea that nothing has to be written in stone until Jesus comes back. There’s nothing wrong with trying new things and modifying it if it doesn’t work. After all, that’s what excellence is rooted in: a willingness to constantly evaluate and improve.
Change isn’t a bad thing. It’s a necessary part of the process of improving, learning, and growing. If we're to make the most of this season, we need to be willing to roll with the punches, accept an occasional mistake, and be willing to adjust with a great attitude.
By understanding the signs of the times, we know that if expectations for the community around us are constantly shifting and changing, then we need to be willing to do the same.
3-Cultivate an unprecedented curiosity
Sometimes it’s hard to admit that we don’t know everything. We get used to everyone in our organization coming to us with questions and expecting us to have all the answers. It can be difficult to be vulnerable, let our guard down, and acknowledge that we may not know how to solve a problem.
The best leaders are the best learners. And the best learners are the ones who recognize that they don’t know everything.
That self-awareness then turns into a passion for learning, growth, and exploration. So now, instead of being afraid to admit “I don’t know” when we’re asked how to do something new, we can confidently say that while we may not know, we’re perfectly willing to find out.
Let’s ask more questions than ever before. Let’s reach out to other churches than ever before. This is no time for comparison or petty rivalries or jealousy between ministries that may have opposing preferences on style or doctrine.
This is a time for us to all learn from each other as a part of the broader Church body and use our strengths to help each other grow. This is a time to admit where we are weak so we can learn to lean on others for help.
No leader should be expected to know all the answers, but we should always know where to go to find an answer, whether it’s about a streaming solution or a video playback software. Curiosity and vulnerability don’t equate to incompetence or worthlessness. It doesn’t mean that we’ve failed at our jobs; when we’re open to new information, it actually shows we’re trying to do our jobs better.
So, let’s challenge ourselves to always keep our eyes open for new and different ideas that we can consider trying.
True, the times around us may be leading many of us to places of uncertainty for various reasons. But society has always had to deal with massive disrupters, and at that level, this is no different.
As leaders, we must rise above that uncertainty. We must understand that the times call for us to be someone different, and in order to be as impactful as possible, we must be willing to give an unprecedented response.