Changing the Rules of the Game

On Friday, MG Siegler from TechCrunch wrote about Apple and its gaming possibilities.  As he weighed in on his opinion he made a comment that made me think a lot.  He said, “Apple will not win this space by playing the game that Microsoft, Sony, and to some extent, Nintendo, are playing. They will win by changing the rules of the game.”

Fascinating comment. Actually, it’s more than fascinating.  It was a brilliant observation because that is what Apple has always done.  They have never played by the same rules as everyone else.  They have always changed the rules.  Beginning with linking the iPod to an actual music store (iTunes), the iPhone WITHOUT a keyboard and the whole new category they created with the iPad.  Sure, Apple didn’t create the 1st mp3 player or phone or tablet.  They just changed the rules on how they would attack these products.

In the same way, I think we, Youth Ministers, need to change the rules of the game in reaching students.  Students are different than they were 20 years ago (that’s when I graduated…I know I’m an old man).  That means, the ways we reach them needs to change.  And, instead of being reactive to their changes, I believe we need to change the rules of the game and be proactive.  We need to give these students something they want without them even knowing they want it.  I know it sounds consumerism but hear me out.

Before Apple introduced the iPad, there were tablet computers out there.  But not like the iPad.  Tablets were used as a cross between notebooks and desktops.  But what Apple did with the iPad was they created a whole new niche…a consumption machine.  The iPad wasn’t necessarily for profession or getting work done.  Rather, it was more for consumption of information.  No one ever though of it like that before.  And the iPad was and continues to have a HUGE market share of the tablet market.  They created something that we wanted but didn’t even realize we wanted until they told us.

How can we present Christ in such a way that they are learning and growing in HIM and not even really realize what they are doing?  I’m not saying we trick them but I think we get so fixated on doing things the way they have always done, that we forget how to innovate and create something that is so exciting that students can’t wait to participate.

So what is that?  I DON’T KNOW!  Seriously, I have no idea but being apart of the nZone at New Life has caused me to think of what youth ministry rules I need to break to reach students for Christ.  I’ve already tried a weight training Bible study last summer and I’m looking at doing some intramural type events this spring and fall.  But I know there are more possibilities out there.  What are they and how can we pull them off?  It’s exactly the kind of challenge that I’m sure companies like Apple ask themselves all the time.  And we, as Youth Ministers, need to be doing the same.

So right now, TAKE A MINUTE and think through what are rules you need to change to win the game.  What is it that you can offer that is so out of the box that students get sucked in and don’t ever want to get out of?  Each ministry is different as each can offer something unique.  It’s finding that “something” that can cause the Kingdom of heaven sing praises and praises because of all the young people that are meeting the Lord for hopefully the 1st time.

Thoughts?  Experiences?  Post a comment so that we can all be breaking the rules of the game for the sake of the Kingdom.  I would love to hear your ideas.

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