I can imagine that I’m being a bit coy with my title, but I think there is a level of seriousness in how we decide to move forward in our efforts to engage in the online space.
The foundational elements of our faith can’t (and shouldn’t) evolve, but our methods and practices should. Perhaps a good word from Amazon.com?
What’s so fascinating here is that such a large company has the tenacity and courage to continue to evolve, even though they have a proven business model and methodology.
I think the Church could learn a thing or two here.
We have an amazingly deep and rich history. We have also developed core foundational doctrine that drive us to excellence. These are our proven elements of who we are.
But we must continue to innovate and evolve, building off our foundations and strategically adding platforms upon the “cornerstone.”
Perhaps, as Bezos mentions, we need to be more open to “fail.” Perhaps we need to “invent on their behalf.” Perhaps we need to create better “end to end services” with our technology. Perhaps we just need to “evolve.”
It’s dangerous business, but someone’s gotta do it.
Evolve – as apposed to adapt?
Adapt means to change according to the environment.
Evolve means to change into something new.
Lead the way as apposed to learning to run faster after everyone else.
lots of 'tenacity and courage' required. Something I have seen at my church with all the changes happening.
Phill(synapticlight)
transform. <~~~ bible word++.
I would disagree with the statement about the foundational elements of our faith evolving. They have. Over years our faith has evolved, society has forced our faith to evolve just as our faith has forced our society to evolve. The basic pieces of love, truth, justice, and hope were there, but the concept of Heaven, the concept of the soul leaving the body, and the concept of light grew out of interaction with Socratic and Platonic philosophy.
The concept of salvation has been argued, changed, and disagreed on, as has the very nature of the church, spiritual authority, the sacraments, and more. There are thousands and millions of people today who believe different parts of the foundational doctrine that both you and I disagree with.
You may argue that some of these people are no longer Christian because they challenge belief systems, but that happened to Martin Luther…and he helped the Protestant reformation along.
The world of the Internet and social media stands to change the way our faith is and works tremendously, in regards to authority, community, and more. Whether you use the word adapt, transform, or evolve, something is happening.
I suppose this depends largely on what we "understand" as the "foundational" elements of our faith. for example, I was thinking things like: Jesus died for our sins on a cross and then rose again from the grave type deals.
the "underestanding" and "application" of those truths have evolved, most certainly.
FYI…I was send here by this Pastor Troy Gramling. Check it out: http://potential-blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/friday...