This is a Guest Post by Rodlie Ortiz.
I remember it like it was yesterday.
One moment I’m in 8 year old dreamland, and the next minute I’m hearing the crazy sounds of southern gospel music with vocal accompaniment from my parents. They would hit the play button and instantly the entire house would be filled with singing. Really, really loud singing.
Apparently they thought that the twang of Dolly Parton singing “I Believe In Angels” was the perfect alarm clock to wake up a brood of four sleepy kids before heading off to church. They were wrong. I remember screaming whenever they would turn on the music. It irked me to my core. “How insensitive,” I thought, that they would do that?
I understand why they did it, of course. They love that kind of music. It put them in “praise nirvana” and would pump them up before going to church. And so they thought, “what better way to help our kids get pumped and cheery before going to church as well?”
You know what the sad part is? On occasion I find myself doing the same thing. As I’m getting ready to go to church in the morning I’ll sometimes put in my favorite “praise and worship” cd and get my praise on, completely irrespective of what my two year old could possibly be thinking or want.
So what does this all have to do with us?
Music, technology, web apps, etc, are all forms of methods. The problem is that we often become enamored with the methods that we are using. To make things worse, each generation becomes the gatekeeper for the next generation’s innovation. I like my method so much, that I look with suspicion at anyone/organization that is using a different method than I’m using. By doing that we stifle innovation and creativity.
That’s the problem of falling in love with our technology and methods.
“No we don’t need a new website…our old one works just fine.”
“Blogging? Why would our church want a blog?”
“Twitter?!?! What’s that?”
So here’s my challenge to you, especially if you’re in leadership. Remind yourself that “methods change, but principles never do.”
And the next time someone brings up some odd idea that you’re not too familiar with, think of the principles behind your method. And think to yourself if you might be stifling needed innovation just because you’re so in love with your own form of technology or your own method of doing things?
So what do you think? Have you ever shut down someone’s idea only to later find that it was a good idea after all?
[Image from AtomicShed]
klreed189 says
This is a great reminder that what we think is the absolute way of doing things isn't always the absolute right way to do things. Funny thing is I wrote a post about when blogs explode. The whole idea about writing something that turns into something that you never thought it would be. I know when people start to tell me this is how it is going to be I start to immediately pull back, but to be honest I often expect people to do things like I do and get frustrated when they do not twitter like I do or blog as much as I do.
Good reminder
Jim says
totally…
Name:Eric says
Good thoughts. While this is certainly wise for ministry leaders to heed, those in technology should heed them as well. I have seen the same thing with organizations bringing on staff a tech person. The very first thing they want to do is change the hardware and software to what they are familiar with instead of thinking strategically or trying to spend time understanding the ministry. We need to male informed decisions as technologists and not fall back on our favorite tolls because it is what’s best for us.
If you disagree, I welcome your thoughts.
rodlie says
Yeah, makes complete sense. I think it takes a good measure of humility to be able to stop yourself and think, "perhaps there's a better way than what I'm used." I think we all need to pray for that level of open-ness.
Nate Beaird says
Great post, Rodlie!
Our methods HAVE to keep changing!
Mary says
Technology changes every day. I just saw an ad for the latest laptop that rolls up like a scroll. (not available yet) on msn tech page. People need to figure out what is best for them and the people they serve. And if need be, hire a tech that keeps up!