Paradigms for the Next Generation

I was at a church recently watching their programs and the Head Pastor asked me “What do you think about Kidstuf?”

Now, for the record, I love Kidstuf and I think it’s one of the most effective programs we’ve ever done at North Point.   But, that’s not how I answered him.

I replied with a question.  I asked him “Why do you want to do Kidstuf?”

What I’ve found, for the most part, is that people want to know “What?” to do.

But, when it comes to ministry and/or working with people, I’m not interested in “What?” you do until I know “Why?” you do it.

When you’re attached to the “Why?” more than the “What?” it allows us to focus more on our effectiveness and less on our stuff (our program, our budget, our culture).  We take things less personally…we change with changes…we avoid becoming the last generation, and we drive the next generation.

Your “Why?” will always eventually show no matter “What?” you do...and you’ll come back…telling me that the “What?” just didn’t work for you!

And that will always happen…as long as your “Why?” isn’t straight in your own mind.

This is why paradigms are so important.

A Paradigm is

Your actual belief (often hidden deep down) about big ideas that infiltrates even your smallest decisions.

These are the big “Whys?” behind our “Whats?”.

The corollary to this statement is this…

Your leadership will be defined by your decisions whether big or small.

Your decisions will be guided by your paradigms.

And so, your paradigms will define your leadership.

Our paradigms, as the next generation of church leaders will define the churches we lead tomorrow.

So, I think it’s time we sit down and figure out our paradigms

Strangely enough, paradigms can’t always be found by what you say you believe.  Even stranger, considering our discussion above, paradigms can often be found by studying “what” you have done in that certain area.

Here’s an example.

I bet you would tell me that giving is of primary importance in a Christian’s life.  We can all agree to that, right?

Now…show me your checkbook!  What does it say you believe?  I bet it says “Giving is of secondary importance until I reach some level of comfort.”

That my friends, is your paradigm for giving.  That is what actually drives your money decisions on a daily basis.

So, if that is true in this example, what’s the actual truth about a bunch of other stuff once you really dig down.  Once you stop playing mind games and rationalizing in your own mind?

What do you REALLY believe about culture, scripture, the Church, and a few other things here an there?

I’d like to Be Bold and propose something.

Over the next couple of weeks I want to unpack a few paradigms I think we need to have in order to move our churches into the next generation.

I have a few ideas…but what about you?  What is it where your actions don’t match your message?

What is it that you would like to dig into in the context of this reading community?  Let me know and I’ll see what we can do.