Strategy
7

The Choice: Faster or Farther?

Posted by John Saddington on Aug 10, 2009

brakes

I didn’t happen to be able to make it to Willow Creek’s Leadership Summit this year, but enough bloggers were obviously there to make it seem like I got some of the good juicy stuff.

Tony Morgan was one of them, and his live blogging of the event was refreshing. One particular quote from his overview post caught me and struck a nerve:

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

-David Gergen

This statement is true, especially in the context of ministry and web technology. I’ve personally found that it’s almost too easy to outpace and outrun my entire ministry and organization in terms of the latest trends and technologies that are available to us. Even without thinking I can be light years ahead and be caught unawares.

Unfortunately I find myself desperately alone when I realize what has happened, and this isn’t a great place to be.

Putting the brakes on, sotospeak, is hard especially for those that love web technology and are passionate about it’s use for the Kingdom. We see things that most people don’t and see opportunities that we simply can’t pass up. The problem is that we’re the only ones that see.

At one point in my life I wanted to go as fast as possible and I succeeded. Now, though, I want to go far, and I’m willing to take my foot off the gas to make sure that it happens.

How are you dealing with the pace of web trends and technology? How are you making sure you’re not outpacing your ministry and people?

[Image from jonboy]

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John Saddington

John is the Chief Editor @ The 8BIT Network and Senior Blog Junkie here at ChurchCrunch.He enjoys Triple-Tall Americanos, developing Wordpress Themes, and a few other Random Things.

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7 Responses to “The Choice: Faster or Farther?”

  1. klreed189
    Monday, August 10, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    Its funny that you posted this. I had a really good conversation with my dad about this on Friday.
    I am much like you in the sense that I want to move as fast as possible and use as much technology as humanly possible and I expect everyone around me to be moving at the same speed.
    Last Sunday I was playing drums for our sunday morning service and the music minister was talking to me about how we just started doing lower thirds text and imag stuff. He then looked at me and said, "kyle you wont believe it, but churches are now moving to broadcast their services online for everyone to see." I just smiled. But inside I wanted to tell him that i was well aware of all of this and have been following this "new technology" for the last 4 or 5 years.

    I tend to get pretty upset when trying to explain something to someone and they don't get it. I expect them to know what i am thinking, reading what i am reading, and getting the most out of technology. When I try and teach someone about a new device, computer, program, etc…It is a very frustrating thing to have to really take my time and cover all the bases and not just want to jump to how i am using this technology.
    Moving fast does not always mean that you are moving in the right way.
    How do you deal with this John?

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Monday, August 10, 2009 at 4:38 pm

      quick answer: i blog about it. i can keep up with my blog. ;) my blogs are my outlet… and i practice patience in everything else.

      Reply
      • Jim
        Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 2:37 am

        i'm here for you homey…

        Reply
  2. Josh Lee
    Monday, August 10, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    I keep a lot of web trends at bay in order to not pass people by.
    My problem is that I want everyone to be excited about pushing the limits of what we do and not many people want to.
    But in my place if andy stanley does it, it get accepted pretty fast ;)

    Reply
    • Jim
      Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 2:36 am

      i'm glad you are around and local

      Reply
  3. Jim
    Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 2:36 am

    I'm partnering up more these days and keeping in touch with others in the networks. i have a lot of fierce days ahead with all kinds of stuff. I've learned al ot about asking for help and 2nd opinions. It's easy to get spread thin. And the planning is helping.

    Reply

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    [...] me jump in with this quote, heard from my friend John, who heard it from his friend Tony, who heard it at this year’s Willow Creek Leadership [...]