For hundreds of years, churches have operated in silos. When they haven’t been concerned with what’s happening within their own walls, they’ve at a minimum been focused on the agenda of their denominations.
I think we’re starting to see a trend in a new direction. We’re starting to see what might happen when churches leverage their time, resources and talent to work together. When that happens, I think the ministry impact in people’s lives will be multiplied.
Here’s my prediction. I think we’re going to see churches come together in these ways:
- Shared discipleship strategies through online resources.
- Shared technology infrastructures and knowledge.
- Shared teaching through video.
- Shared web initiatives to leverage the power of social networking.
- Shared missions efforts for global impact one village at a time.
- Shared financial resources to launch new churches.
- Shared creativity to express the arts through music and media.
I don’t know how this is going to play out. I’m not sure what role NewSpring will play in this. All I know is that I’m fairly confident we’ll look back on these next several years and one mark of our success as a ministry will be the synergy we helped create.
What will happen when we follow God’s command to be unified?
I, for one, have definitely been the beneficiary of shared resources and knowledge. I’m praying about ways to “synergize” in the area where I’m moving in the new year. Can’t wait to see how that takes shape at NewSpring/LifeChurch and other great churches like you guys. Thanks for continually pushing the envelope and encouraging us all to grow.
That sounds exciting Tony. We should chat more about it.
In a lot of ways, we (the church) operate like the marketplace; we keep our ideas and strategies and talent and experience (good and bad) to ourselves. It mostly makes sense in the marketplace, where that kind of proprietary, scarcity mentality is often the edge on the competition. But in the church, it’s not Kingdom, it’s not wise, and it’s not effective.
Some of your points sound like what the Southern Bapt Con has been trying to do for years via the Cooperative Program. It will be interesting to see how churches will be able to cooperate in order to achieve what you have placed on your list. I’m sure it can be done but it will take a new way of thinking about how we see each other and how we come together on what we hold in common rather than focusing on our differences.
This is perfect timing Tony. I was just trying to figure out the best way to get the word to you about a friend of mine’s new resource website called IdeaNation. The whole purpose is for creative types and techies to share helpful information and creative ideas with each other. I immediately thought of you and wondered if you might want to share it with some of your readers. The website is http://www.goideanation.org
It’s free and has seen a rapid enrollment of leaders from around the country.
Thanks,
Johnny
Dude,
You’re totally right. I think God is turning the Church inside out, where they are no longer internally focused, but also on the kingdom of God at large, and how they can partner with other Churches, ministries and visions for greater impact.
I think this revolution is happening in the hearts of some key Christian leaders: Groeschel, Dave Ferguson, Francis Chan, Rick Warren and others are leading the charge here.
E.g.
Lifechurch.tv is already doing the things you mentioned in your post.
I’m actually going to blog about this over at 210 Leadership soon.
I agree that churches are going more open source, and the bigger churches are leading the way… what do you think the trend is in smaller churches?
(at least) 1 of your prophecies is coming true, by q1 2009, there will be shared video teaching for free at videoteaching.com
Dude, God has been laying this on my heart for a while. And I’ve seen in start to take place in ministry and churches everywhere, like with the one prayer series. We’re actually looking to start a church in downtown charleston and that is one of our main missions (other than reaching and loving the people of course)… Keep rockin the caspha..
I am part of a project to give worship planners and producers at churches of all different sizes around the country a platform to network and share their experiences and ideas about creative worship. We’ve got a great video library from interviews we (and soon hopefully our members) shoot while touring churches.
We’d love to hear from the worship team at NewSpring. If you have a second, check it out: http://www.creativeworshiptour.com
Exactly. This is precisely what we talk about at the Church 2.0 gatherings. I don’t use the word “synergy” – which is a great word, but I do see the same trend happening. Good stuff.
I completely agree as well. I’m trying to get our church to join the 21 century tech-wise. One of our pastors is interested in starting some kind of internet service soon via facebook. We’ll be looking into that in 2009. I’m excited for where our church is heading (www.oursaviours.com)… we’re getting new database software (ACS Technologies) that I believe will help push us towards a more tech savvy culture here at OSLC. As the Tech Director I believe it is a very exciting time for the church as a whole. Using social networking to bring Christ to more people than ever before is a big goal of mine for 2009!
[...] we approach an era where ministry synergies are real and abundant, getting out of our ministry bubbles is critical. If you want your ministry [...]
[...] Ministry synergies are real and abundant. I’d encourage every ministry to find a church that shares your ministry philosophy or that demonstrates excellence in an area that matters to you and learn everything you can from them. [...]