Testimony for Your Sunday Worship

Kathy F

Reverend Greenebarr -

Thank you for your message on Gods Ideas.
While drinking my coffee this morning, I turned on the TV and caught your message -
It answered exactly the questions I’ve been wrestling with concerning an idea I’ve had – whether it was from God.

I am going to move forward with boldness, and I’m going to keep you posted on the progress.

I attend Woodside Bible Church in White Lake, MI, by the way – and lead a women’s Bible study there.

May God continue to bless your ministry.
Kathy F

Riverside Communion Service

“Innovation Is Not Just For Enterprise” - Author: Rev. Dr. Cecelia GreeneBarr - Submitted to Bishop Vashti McKenzie – Anvil Publication May 3, 2011

One man’s innovation is another man’s history. Innovation drives the marketplace in sales, advertising and product research, but what place can innovation have in organized religion? Industrialized nations and the businesses, which spur growth in those nations, know that increased market share and segment dominance is dependent upon innovation. Cease to innovate and it will not be long before profit margins dwindle and corporate offices remove the awning that once proudly decorated their grand entrances. A Board of Directors would be considered deficient in their duties if they voted upon a Chairman/Chief Executive Officer who did not have innovation as a core component of his/her business strategy. Innovation is the stroke of genius that keeps enterprise alive, vibrant and profitable.

Enterprise, even when led by Godly executives, strives to be innovative for the health and well being of the corporation. Organized religion, though led by Godly executives, appears to assume health and well being of the corporation as a given based on divine origin. Innovation in organized religion is not the impossible dream. Depending upon the density of the religious structure it can be a dream deferred, but not impossible given the right mixture of competencies, cash and commitment. Innovation is that thing which springs forth, making a way in the wilderness and replenishing dry and deserted places as Isaiah beautifully notes in chapter 43:19.

A student of innovation calls to mind forward thinking executives such as Steve Jobs of Apple, Inc. and Michael A. Todman, President of Whirlpool International. During a period of decreased market share and depleting financial strength, Michael A. Todman was positioned as Whirlpool’s Innovation Strategist. In an interview with Black Enterprise Todman describes Whirlpool’s corporate philosophy that made his genius take flight and thereby reposition the corporation for global dominance. Cost, cash and communications were all managed with efficiency in the forefront. Managers listened to workers and customers, a process that enabled them to determine who within the corporation held the best ideas for driving the business forward. For Todman, his branding as an innovative leader was largely due to his ability to keep pace with a rapidly changing marketplace and to react without undue delay. Though Todman is obviously gifted in communications, market analysis and interpersonal skills, his product intelligence comes from shifting global influences.

The Church, conversely, is uniquely positioned to be innovative due to the source of its intelligence; the Lord God Almighty. God promises the introduction of new things into the fabric of global life. The new things that God promises are not mundane, irrelevant nor disconnected from the heartbeat of humanity. In fact, God promises innovations that once manifested will spring forth life. So why does it appear that The Church is constantly circling our grandparents monuments instead of enjoying new rivers in desert places? Although enterprise is fortunate to employ gifted minds such as Steve Jobs and Michael A. Todman as captains in their industry, God has not left The Church without equally endowed leaders. In nooks and crannies as well as along the thoroughfares of ministry, there are captains faithfully seeking the heart of God for revelation of promised innovation.

The Church’s innovation is Enterprise’s history not due to slow insight or intelligence, but due to the rate at which one corporation is able to chart a new course. Is it possible for The Church to be innovative? Absolutely! Acknowledging that our present operations model is extremely dated, we would do well to begin with effective practices currently benefitting enterprise. Areas such as marketing; we call it evangelism, internal communications, and long term strategic planning would be excellent places to begin our innovative policies.  Having the tools of enterprise must be coupled with more efficient turn-around rates. It takes too long to get a new idea to market largely due to the petrified contingency within the pews. Such terror towards change manifests in well-organized stall tactics that reduce innovation to obsolete ideas. 

God asks the question; “Do you not perceive it?” Yes God, we perceive it. We perceive it during our quiet moments of mediation. We perceive it during our periods of fasting. We perceive it during the night hour when our soul waits upon the Lord. Perception is not the hindrance for our experiences in innovation. The obstacles before The Church that makes innovation feel elusive only require direct confrontation with the promise of Isaiah 43:19 in which God declares to personally make a way. Whirlpool experienced rejuvenated market strength due to the insight of their Innovation Strategist. The Church is able to also experience rejuvenated market strength as God makes a way through the wilderness of fear and away from our grandparent’s monuments.