in·no·vate:
to make changes or do something in a new way
Innovation in the early days of the church didn't include social media, network infrastructures, or brand campaigns, but it was still present. Tools we have today, like Bible education, church models, curricula, or ministry conferences, didn't exist to help leaders bring the gospel to new people.
Yet, the church grew amidst persecution and challenges. Over the past 2000 years, ministry has advanced through the faithfulness and innovation of God's people. The Bible reached people worldwide through innovations like the printing press. The church expanded into new places through creative thinking. Entire cultures were introduced to the gospel through innovation. The gospel story was and is powerful, life-changing, and contagious, even in the face of barriers and danger.
Something is different today
Many ministries today lack creative thinking, copying others or competing digitally for transactional impact rather than life change. Why?