Innovative Mission

One of our four Salvation Army territorial values is ‘Innovative’, which says that we will respond to the changing realities of the world.

I must admit that innovation doesn’t come naturally to me, but I like being around people who are innovative. In the Margerison–McCann Team Management Wheel I am described as a Concluder/Finisher, but I need those around me who are more naturally wired as Creator/Innovators, because they can be very motivational and challenging.

Together, with all our strengths, we can be catalysed to move closer to fulfilling what God wants us to be and do.

A secular definition of Innovation is described by Nick Jain on his website ‘Ideascale’ as, ‘The process of bringing about new ideas, methods, products, services or solutions that have a significant positive impact and value. It involves transforming creative concepts into tangible outcomes that improve efficiency and effectiveness, or address unmet needs.’

So, how do we innovate as a Christian movement? I think it comes down to the motivation or purpose of being innovative, and I believe it’s all about the ‘who’ of our focus. The heart of being innovative is about a deep desire to engage in the realities of a world in need of Jesus, and to use all possible godly means to bring people the good news.

I like the words of our values when describing being ‘Innovative’. Here are a couple of sentences from this section:

‘We serve Christ, not the status quo, and will cultivate a holy imagination as we follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. We will seek God’s will and seek to understand our times. We seek the best ideas, not just our own ideas; and we see each other as partners in mission.’

If you consider the innovative life of Jesus, you will see that he used a variety of ways to heal the blind. Matthew 9 talks about Jesus touching the eyes of two blind men: he put saliva on the eyes of one, according to Mark 8; and in Luke 18, Jesus simply said, ‘Receive your sight’.

The Salvation Army’s history is one of innovation: we responded to injustice and inequity by setting up match factories; we were early adaptors of film production and had our own studios; we set up early prison ministry with Prison Brigades, to name just a few. But what is our new? Where are the countercultural ways that we as The Salvation Army commence or re-adjust for the sake of the gospel? What is God saying to us, to you, about the value of being Innovative?

Commissioner Mark CampbellTerritorial Commander

For the full explanation of our Vision, Mission and Values, go to salvationarmy.org.nz/VMV

John 9:10–11

‘How then were your eyes opened?’ they asked. He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see”’ (NIV)

Kātahi rātou ka mea ki a ia, “Nā te aha rā i kite ai ōu kanohi?” Ka whakahoki ia ka mea, “Nā te tangata, e huaina nei ko Īhu, i pokepoke he paru, pania ana e ia ki ōku kanohi, ka mea mai ki ahau, ‘Haere ki Hiroama horoi ai.’ Nā, ko tōku haerenga atu, ko tāku horoinga, kite ana ahau” (PT).

Era sa qai kaya vua, Sa rai rawa vakaevei na matamu? Sa kaya ko koya, na tamata sa vakatokai ko Jisu sa ulia na soso, ka boroya na mataqu, ka kaya vei au, Lako ki Sailoama, ka tavoi: ia kau a laki tavoi, kau sa qai rai rawa (FOV).

“Tab tum keise dekhe sakta hei?” ulog puuchhin. U jawaab dees, “Yeeshu naam ke admi maṭṭi saan ke hamaar aañkhi pe lagaais aur bolis ki Silom ke kunḍ meñ jaay ke aapan aañkhi dhoy leo. Ham huañ jaay ke aapan aañkhi dhoy lia aur dekhe laga” (FRHNT)

Pea nau pehēange, Na‘e faka‘ā fēfē ho mata? Pea tali ‘e ia, Ko e tangata ‘oku ui ko Sisū, na‘a ne ngaohi ha pelepela, ‘o ne pani ‘aki hoku ongo mata ni, mo ne pehē mai, Mole pe ki Sailoame ‘o fufulu: ko ia na‘a ku ‘alu ‘o fufulu, pea u ‘ā hake (TWB)

Ona fai atu lea o i latou ia te ia, “Pe na faapefea ona faapupulaina ou mata?” Ua tali mai o ia, “O le tasi tagata e igoa ia Iesu ua na faia le palapala, ua nini a‘i o‘u mata; ua fai mai foi ia te au, Alu ia i le taelega i Seloa, ma ia mulumulu ai. Ona ou alu ai lea, ma ou mulumuluina, ona ou vaai ai lea” (SOV).