Sometimes you need to reinvent the wheel

Being in ministry for over 14 years I have heard this phrase numerous times, “You don’t have to reinvent the wheel”.  I get it.  I appreciate it.  And, I believe it.

But sometimes, you need to reinvent the wheel.  Why?  Because  sometimes the wheel is broken.  It just doesn’t work, in your setting at least.  It may work somewhere else, but where you are currently it’s not working.

I experience this a lot working at the nZone and New Life Christian Church (Same building, different “businesses”).  There is nothing traditional about doing ministry at the nZone.  For example, traditional “Youth Group” doesn’t work…but Ultimate Frisbee with a proclamation message halfway through does.  Traditional “Youth Group” doesn’t work…but Home Groups and Small Groups do.  A lot of what I have tried and succeeded at before in more traditional churches have seen mixed results at the nZone.  But, when I reinvent the wheel, taking the principle of the matter rather than “copying” the exact program, I see greater success.  Why?  I’m not 100% sure yet but I’m pretty confident that it is linked to the type of people the nZone and New Life attract.  They don’t attract “traditional” church goers.  So I have to design a program that appeals to the non-traditional.  And again, when I do that, the results are much more positive.

So, is there something in your ministry that you need to reinvent?  Is there a program or method that you need to take a fresh look at?  TAKE A MINUTE right now and prayerfully, quietly examine what you are doing, what the results are and how you need to reinvent the wheel. Is there something you have to reinvent to get better results?  Don’t reinvent just to reinvent, rather reinvent because something is broke and needs a change.  Then see how the students respond and how God blesses it.

Thoughts?  Experiences?  Post a comment so that we can all learn from each other and benefit.