Innovative Churches (no, we aren't one...)

Through a series of links (you know how the web works - I'm reading this blog, which links to this one, which links to this site, and on and on...) I came across this site with nominations for America's Most Innovative Churches (with Outreach Magazine) and I checked out the form for "nominating a church" and one of the questions asked was, "What makes a church innovative?"

So, what DOES make a church innovative? Is it a cool website or having a Starbucks in the parking lot - so the folk waiting for the shuttlebus to the sanctuary can be refreshed before they are brought into the carefully designed for traffic flow entry/lobby where they can get another latte and even a muffin to take into the "worship space" to watch the "pre-show" entertain...uh, ministry and, perhaps, chat with one of the carefully selected Official Greeters (tm)...

Sorry if I sound a little sarcastic... It's not that there's anything inherently wrong with all of that - I think that we SHOULD pay attention to things like what our parking is like, how people will move in and out of the sanctuary, how people are greeted, what is happening before, during and after worship...and a million other things.

So, what makes a church innovative? Is it how we PROGRAM those things?

I went to Ginghamsburg Church a couple years ago - and they certainly have all the details in place - we were directed to parking, the lobby was large and fairly open. We were greeted by probably a half dozen different people who were "official" greeters - and a few folks from the congregation spoke to us (which is a whole different thing, by the way). The music, video, lighting, etc. was all professionally executed, the preaching was engaging and had substance. It was slick and polished. Kind of like going to a really nice hotel, where you are valet parked, greeted at the door, inside the door, at the desk, etc. And then you get to your room and it's a really nice room - but you're still just going to sleep there, right? The presentation is nice, but does it change the outcome? Do I rest better because of all that? And maybe that's a bad example...

I don't know...

So, I guess I'm wondering if little Toby church (average attendance 30) is innovative because they still ring their bell every Sunday (announcing to the community that the worship of God is about to begin), they have several people who will spontaneously greet you if you come, they will be genuinely interested in where you're from, who you're related to, what brought you to Toby Church. Toby has a Strawberry Festival that everyone in the community knows about - and comes to. And VBS. And renewal service. And special events at Christmas and Easter. The people of Toby church are actively a part of the lives of their neighbors, even those who don't go to church.

Is innovative about size? Is it about reproducability? Is it about slickness? Coolness?

Yeah, they'll never make the list at Outreach Magazine for America's Most Innovative Churches. They don't have a website, multi campuses (well, they are part of a four point charge, so technically...), video feeds, blogs, etc.

But they're faithful - and that's pretty innovative in a church culture of church growth seminars and how-to minsitry toolboxes. The choir won't make a CD, but they'll praise God every Sunday. The Bible study notes won't be published as the next "small group study" for mass consuption, but that small group has been meeting for decades. Their fellowship model can't be duplicated because it comes out of the hearts of the people who worship there. All 30 or so - no matter which pastor has come or gone, no matter how the community has changed, they have changed as well, 'cause they're a part of the lives of the people around them.

What makes a church innovative? Not size, not programs, not polish or "coolness".

It's being the Body of Christ in community.