Adapt Or Die

The movie "Moneyball" tells the story of Billy Beane, the legendary GM of the Oakland Athletics who, when confronted with what seemed to be impossible odds stacked against him, led his organization with such clarity of vision and creativity of thought that he changed not only his team, but the entire game of baseball. In one pivotal scene, Beane explains the new direction of the team to his scouts. As he does, objections are raised by everyone at the table, but Beane's response is simple: "Adapt or Die." He had the ability to see the situation with clarity and speak about it with honesty, and because of this he was able to find a solution he may never have been open to even considering otherwise.

In many ways, we find ourselves in much the same situation today. In light of the limitations and restrictions imposed upon us due to the Covid-19 response, every church in the world is wrestling with the same questions right now:

• What should we keep doing?
• What should we start doing?
• What should we stop doing?
• What should we do differently?

Regardless of vision statements or theological convictions, we're ALL asking these questions in one form or another, and with good reason! As diagramed below, every time we are faced with a crisis, we are forced to evaluate our current methods not only through the lens of the Present, but also with an eye to the Future. When we do this, what we recognize is that insisting on Past methods (our "Old Routine") will only lead us to become obsolete. What is required of us, then, is to be willing to experiment with new methods in order to determine what is most effective in leading our people to fulfilling the mission and vision Jesus has given us. We must "adapt or die." And as we experiment, though there will be a time of trial and error, we will soon begin to see what's effective and what isn't, which will lead us to "New Routines" that will serve our people and communities until we face another crisis moment.

ENCOURAGEMENT
As a church planting network, we recognize two things:

1. Our total dependence on the Spirit of Jesus Christ to work in us, through us, and for us if we're ever going to be effective in engaging our city with the gospel; &
   
2. Our need to be creative with our methods as we depend on the Spirit, understanding that what worked in past generations won't necessarily be effective in our current cultural moment.

If you're a church planter, then these twin realities have, in many ways, prepared you for such a time as this! While this obstacle is different than any you've faced before, you know well the path of taking every obstacle to the Father, asking Him for faith to see it as an opportunity and trusting Him for grace and wisdom to follow where He leads. Not only that, but the very fact that you're planting a church means that you've been blessed to lead people who are more committed to the advance of the gospel than they are to their traditions. This fact alone means they will be ready, willing, and able to follow you as you follow Jesus, even when that requires change and sacrifice. 

CHALLENGE
With this in mind, we need to be honest: most church plants have depended heavily on the financial & physical resources of established partner churches in order to launch, grow, and become self-sustaining. What our current crisis is revealing, however, is that we have been thrust into a context where these same established churches may need to depend just as heavily on partner church plants for creative & technological resources if they are going to survive and thrive. Again, we must recognize that we must adapt or die. But this principle holds true just as much for established church as it does for church plants.

• Are we willing to think beyond our own congregations?
  
• Are we looking for ways we can serve those churches and pastors who have been such a blessing to us?
  
• How is God calling us to be kingdom minded as we face this crisis together as the body of Christ? 

In Romans 15:27, as Paul is challenging the church to give for the Jerusalem relief effort, he points out that "if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings." In the same way, if you've been blessed by established churches with finances or physical resources, take a minute today to reach out to them and ask if there's anything you or your people could do to help them navigate these uncharted waters. 

We are the body of Christ. We are Send Network. And we're all in this together!