There is a mindset most successful startup companies have that could really benefit churches.
First, startups are trying to identify and fill unmet needs. They’re not copiers but problem solvers. It’s hard and financially improbable for a new company to do what someone else is already doing. Instead, they have to find their niche, whether it’s a new process or innovative product.
Likewise, I believe a church that cares about its congregation and surrounding community needs to think like a startup. God has uniquely equipped each church with a mix of skilled people. The goal should become how that body of skilled believers can find ways to go to work filling the unmet needs of their community.
Startups also realize that needs change. What they initially start out doing may not be the model for the future. Similarly, churches need to realize this, too. What worked for years past might not work in serving people today. That doesn’t mean everything needs to be scrapped, but it does require you to think about how you continue to move initiatives forward so they are still impactful. A lack of adaptation leads to stagnation.
Finally, startups are willing to take risks and learn from failures. They understand that failures often produce seeds for future growth. Churches, like many organizations, seem to trend anti-failure. Or if something is going wrong, it’s not acknowledged for fear of hurting feelings. A willingness to take smart risks while realizing that not everything will be successful takes a culture shift. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you from doing something new.
