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Innovation in World Mission: A Framework for Transformational Thinking about the Future of World Mission
Our world is changing: mass migrations, the emergence of mega-cities, globalization, travel, and ubiquitous connectivity. How do we make sense of it all? Innovation in World Mission was written for those who care about being relevant in this chaotic, yet exciting new world. This book explores the categories of mega-changes happening around us, and the impacts they are making, specifically in world mission. It explores how God created us in his image, to be creative and innovative-modern day children of Issachar who understand change and know how to respond. Real-life examples from ministries, non-profits, and businesses are used throughout to help understand how to put these tools into practice
136 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2016
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October 30, 2016
"Innovation in World Mission: A Framework for Transformational Thinking about the Future of World Mission" is a challenge for missionaries, mission agencies, churches and denominations to use their God-given gifts of innovation in creative fulfilment of the Great Commission. Innovation, when used submissively to the Holy Spirit and spiritually as an expression of faith in God, is an opportunity for us to respond to God's invitation to make disciples among all peoples.
Innovation is crucial at this time as the Church finds itself in a period of global transition. The missional paradigms of previous generations are no longer adequate for global realities. The waning effectiveness of previous mission models is not necessarily indicative of greater opposition from the enemy (as is often interpreted), but may simply signal that change has arrived. Faithfulness to the Great Commission, sensitivity to the Spirit's leading, and faith-filled, innovative risk will be the marks of mission leaders today and tomorrow.
Seipp begins with a challenge to embrace innovation. If we simply enact new strategies and organizational structures to respond to changes that have already taken place, "we simply align our organizations to the past." (Kindle location 231)
He then identifies 6 mega-trends driving change in the world at large: globalization, technology, mobilization, deculturization/reculturization, economic changes, and environmental concerns. He unpacks each area with potential points of interaction with mission. These are new developments for which conventional mission strategies are ill equipped to deal with. Mission leaders will have to think innovatively to lead the church in this new environment.
After identifying the global mega-trends, Seipp narrows his focus to mega-trends within Christianity. Though a number are mentioned, four of the most significant are that 1) Most countries to which western churches send missionaries already have mature churches. This needs to radically change the game-plan of western mission strategy. 2) He suggests that in regard to mission, we're entering an era focused on the facilitation of national movements "categorized by organic, nonhierarchical mission structures with minimal organization." 3) The weakening of the English speaking, western church (in regard to numbers, finances, influence, and conviction concerning the state of the lost) and the strengthenthing of the church in the global south are shifting the center of mission activity from the United States to the developing world. 4) Combined with the shrinking influence of the English speaking evangelical church in the US is the growing influence of the Hispanic evangelical church in the United States.
Seipp then takes a few chapters to suggest some strategies for innovative thinking in mission. He begins by wisely reminding us that mission advances are primarily the work of God. Research and innovation "should fuel our faith for what God will do." (Kindle location 919)
He warns against vision drift, encourages problem solving to be pushed down, and explains how mission strategies and agencies fall victim to the "S curve" - not looking for new strategies until we've spent too many resources trying to sustain the old ones (to the death of the organization). He encourages us to use systems thinking in evaluating our assumptions and identifying all of the stake holders: donors, staff, churches, administrators, national partners and the lost. He spends an entire chapter explaing how "scenario planning" can help mission leaders think innovatively.
Chapter 7 focuses on how to develop a culture of innovation within the mission organization. He reminds us that we must be careful. Just because an organization has spiritual goals doesn't mean that it operates in a spiritually healthy way. Discipleship values must permeate every level of the mission community.
That said, some of the things that can help encourage innovative thinking are:
1. Modeling it from the top.
2. Removing organizational rigidity so that energy is not wasted simply trying to overcome entropy.
3. Recognize that today's environment is more about organic networks than structural hierarchy.
4. Get rid of layers of management by a clearly defined organizational vision and defined tasks, the empowerment to fulfil those tasks, accountability to outcomes and not just processes, and ongoing training. "Management relationships have to be replaced with team cohesiveness." (Kindle location 1833)
Seipp also reminds leaders that while people generally welcome new ideas, they also value stability and security. Many change leaders fail because they neglect such things. He suggests a plan for going forward:
1. Organize a small "innovation team." Jesus recognized the power of small changes by discipling a few. Working with a few can have a profound impact in the long run.
2. Expose the team to mega-trends and teach them how to spot change even if it doesn't appear to have an impact on your organization.
3. Explore with the team how these mega-trends could impact your mission strategy, your missionaries, your donors, or your national partners.
4. Brainstorm the scenarios that could kill the organization and identify scenarios or assumptions that need to be dressed to enable the organization to be more resilient and fruitful. Think outside the box.
Some will no doubt react negatively to how Seipp borrows from secular models of systems thinking, management or leadership. However, he does a good job of using these tools within the broader framework of the sovereignty of God, the leading of the Holy Spirit, and the role of faith. Overall, within the context of a strong prayer environment, such creative thinking could truly be how the Holy Spirit leads us forward.
Innovation is crucial at this time as the Church finds itself in a period of global transition. The missional paradigms of previous generations are no longer adequate for global realities. The waning effectiveness of previous mission models is not necessarily indicative of greater opposition from the enemy (as is often interpreted), but may simply signal that change has arrived. Faithfulness to the Great Commission, sensitivity to the Spirit's leading, and faith-filled, innovative risk will be the marks of mission leaders today and tomorrow.
Seipp begins with a challenge to embrace innovation. If we simply enact new strategies and organizational structures to respond to changes that have already taken place, "we simply align our organizations to the past." (Kindle location 231)
He then identifies 6 mega-trends driving change in the world at large: globalization, technology, mobilization, deculturization/reculturization, economic changes, and environmental concerns. He unpacks each area with potential points of interaction with mission. These are new developments for which conventional mission strategies are ill equipped to deal with. Mission leaders will have to think innovatively to lead the church in this new environment.
After identifying the global mega-trends, Seipp narrows his focus to mega-trends within Christianity. Though a number are mentioned, four of the most significant are that 1) Most countries to which western churches send missionaries already have mature churches. This needs to radically change the game-plan of western mission strategy. 2) He suggests that in regard to mission, we're entering an era focused on the facilitation of national movements "categorized by organic, nonhierarchical mission structures with minimal organization." 3) The weakening of the English speaking, western church (in regard to numbers, finances, influence, and conviction concerning the state of the lost) and the strengthenthing of the church in the global south are shifting the center of mission activity from the United States to the developing world. 4) Combined with the shrinking influence of the English speaking evangelical church in the US is the growing influence of the Hispanic evangelical church in the United States.
Seipp then takes a few chapters to suggest some strategies for innovative thinking in mission. He begins by wisely reminding us that mission advances are primarily the work of God. Research and innovation "should fuel our faith for what God will do." (Kindle location 919)
He warns against vision drift, encourages problem solving to be pushed down, and explains how mission strategies and agencies fall victim to the "S curve" - not looking for new strategies until we've spent too many resources trying to sustain the old ones (to the death of the organization). He encourages us to use systems thinking in evaluating our assumptions and identifying all of the stake holders: donors, staff, churches, administrators, national partners and the lost. He spends an entire chapter explaing how "scenario planning" can help mission leaders think innovatively.
Chapter 7 focuses on how to develop a culture of innovation within the mission organization. He reminds us that we must be careful. Just because an organization has spiritual goals doesn't mean that it operates in a spiritually healthy way. Discipleship values must permeate every level of the mission community.
That said, some of the things that can help encourage innovative thinking are:
1. Modeling it from the top.
2. Removing organizational rigidity so that energy is not wasted simply trying to overcome entropy.
3. Recognize that today's environment is more about organic networks than structural hierarchy.
4. Get rid of layers of management by a clearly defined organizational vision and defined tasks, the empowerment to fulfil those tasks, accountability to outcomes and not just processes, and ongoing training. "Management relationships have to be replaced with team cohesiveness." (Kindle location 1833)
Seipp also reminds leaders that while people generally welcome new ideas, they also value stability and security. Many change leaders fail because they neglect such things. He suggests a plan for going forward:
1. Organize a small "innovation team." Jesus recognized the power of small changes by discipling a few. Working with a few can have a profound impact in the long run.
2. Expose the team to mega-trends and teach them how to spot change even if it doesn't appear to have an impact on your organization.
3. Explore with the team how these mega-trends could impact your mission strategy, your missionaries, your donors, or your national partners.
4. Brainstorm the scenarios that could kill the organization and identify scenarios or assumptions that need to be dressed to enable the organization to be more resilient and fruitful. Think outside the box.
Some will no doubt react negatively to how Seipp borrows from secular models of systems thinking, management or leadership. However, he does a good job of using these tools within the broader framework of the sovereignty of God, the leading of the Holy Spirit, and the role of faith. Overall, within the context of a strong prayer environment, such creative thinking could truly be how the Holy Spirit leads us forward.
August 28, 2017
Although this book starts out with some mega-trends in Global Christianity, the book is designed to assist us in beginning transformational thinking. In order to do that, we have to study trends, scanning the environment around us to discover areas that may have an impact on what we are doing today. As we evaluate these trends, we assess the impact of these trends in seven domains (social, technical, environmental, economic, political, demographic and religious). Next impact maps and possible scenarios are created. The author is trying to get us to start thinking about how we need to change today with these future scenarios in mind. To do this requires, collaboration, diversity, dialogue and a willingness to risk small changes to achieve long-term results. Lots of illustrations for Christian and missionary organizations. I would love to find a group of people interested in joining me in this process for our organization!
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