Status Quo and 2 Billion to Go 1

status quo: the existing state of affairs.

innovation: the act or process of introducing something new.

When it comes to healthy growth and multiplication, leaders must keep these two definitions in mind.  While it seems cool to say, “I’m against the status quo; I’m all for innovation,” such is not the way of Kingdom citizens.  The existing state of affairs is not always evil.  While there are times such matters deserve a wrecking ball, generally, such is not the case.  It is often not helpful for Kingdom advancement whenever we destroy what has been developed over years, decades, and sometimes centuries.

Also, we should refrain from saying, “I’m against innovation; I’m all for the existing state of affairs.”  This is unhealthy as well.  Kingdom citizens must be engaged in innovation.  The world is a place of constant change.  We must be students of God’s world, and respond appropriately.  The failure to innovate is an example of poor Kingdom stewardship.

The Book of Acts is filled with examples of the Church innovating while building on that which was already established.  The widows were not neglected because the gospel needed to advance into new areas (Acts 6:1-6).  The Jerusalem Church was not dismantled because the half-breed Samaritans received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8).  What was established in Jerusalem and Samaria did not unravel when the Spirit baptized the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-48; 11:19-30).  The Jerusalem Council did not require a discarding of matters in the Gentile world (Acts 15:1-35).  Paul and Silas did not give up and go back to Antioch when their strategy was interrupted (Acts 16:6-10).  Throughout the Book of Acts, we read of a Spirit-led Body of Christ on mission in a world filled with pressures and change.  While the existing state of affairs was not being scrapped for something new, there was a continual need for adjustment in light of sanctification, unreached peoples, and gospel proclamation.

Innovating upon the status quo is a good thing–being locked into the existing state of affairs is bad.

In light of the two billion people in the world who have never heard of Jesus, we must not lock ourselves down with the status quo.

In light of the two billion people in the world who have never heard of Jesus, we must build upon that which has gone before us.

(image credit: Microsoft Office)