an equation for innovation.

image from techmoola.com

Talking with a close friend recently the thought occurred to me...there actually is an equation to innovation.  


My friend had just come back from a scientific research conference. 




This gathering was made up of some of the brightest scientists from all over the globe who want to cross pollinate their findings with each other.  I can't even spell his area of expertise, he's that smart!


On the surface you may say, "That's great, so what."  But when you step back to think about what they are actually trying to accomplish it will cause Kingdom minded people to sit up and take notice.


Besides money, hours of hard work, laboratories, bright minds, etc.  Innovation requires two things: generosity and humility.


Innovation requires generosity because I have to be willing to share with you my findings, research, experiences, anointing, knowledge, etc.  Generosity serves as a catalyst, building block, and key ingredient to creativity.


Humility must also enter the equation because I have to honor you and what you carry otherwise I will not value what you are offering me.  WOW. Creativity flourishes in an environment of honor.


generosity + humility= innovative creativity


If we could grab ahold of these truths it would help churches, businesses, and families go further, faster. 


In nature, we see that cross-pollination brings fruit.  


Apparently God wanted to get the message across to us that cross-pollination feeds fruitful innovation.   

Nineveh vs Nazareth.

Have you ever wondered what the major difference between Nineveh and Nazareth was?  


Nineveh experienced one of the greatest city-wide revivals in history. (Jonah 3:3-10)  




Nineveh was filled with savage, Gentile warriors and hard core heathens.  


Nazareth, however, was primarily filled with well behaved religious Jews. 
Yet, they never did get to experience a major move of God. 


Was it a lack of good preaching??? 
I'm pretty confident that wasn't the problem.  


Jesus was sent to preach to His home town of Nazareth and Jonah was sent to preach to Nineveh.  I don't think anyone would argue that Nazareth got the better prophet and preacher and yet they ended up with a worse result.  


"Maybe God is not just looking for great preachers and prophets to preach but a people who will listen!" -Glen Bert-eau


I couldn't agree more.  


I am beginning to see how listening is the primary skill needed in the Kingdom of God.  


Matthew, the converted tax collector who followed closely the life and ministry of Jesus gives us more parables in one chapter (Matthew 13) on the Kingdom of God than any other in the Bible.  


In this chapter Jesus exhorts us to "listen" more than anything else. Well over a dozen times in one chapter.


Becoming a better listener is the one focus God has given me for 2012.  


We will never rise above the level of our listening.

"So pay attention to how you hear." -the Son of God (Luke 8:18)