Innovation Next
Exploring New Ideas for the Future Church
Our World is Rapidly Changing…
We haven’t been this way before. What’s next?
A new culture is emerging, and the Christian story has lost its central place in a society it did much to shape. Nothing has shaken the foundations of the church more than the collapse of Christendom and today North America is being described as post-Christian and even anti-Christian. Innovation will be crucial as we address the new challenges facing our culture and the church.
Innovation comes from the Latin word novus or “new”, and to innovate simply means to introduce something new. We serve an innovative God. Isaiah 43:19 tells us, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” God makes all things new.
Innovation NEXT provides an opportunity to look behind the curtain and better understand how God is moving through innovative ministries. We also provide a platform for highlighting and funding innovative new ministries through our Future Church Gathering. Listed below you will find articles, interviews, podcasts, and other resources to better serve you as you seek to invest in the future church.
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The Spirit of Innovation
God can do more in one divine moment than all our efforts combined. Innovation begins with prayer, fasting, and seeking a fresh move of the Spirit.
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Collaboration over Competition
The church and culture are facing large-scale issues that require a collaborative spirit of learning and growing together. We are grateful for our Venture Partners and those that value collaboration.
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Practical Solutions
We are biased toward action and will highlight ministry practitioners who have implemented their ideas in the trenches of ministry.
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Future Church Gathering
Our desire is to provide a platform and funding for innovative projects around the world by hosting an annual Future Church Gathering.
NEW Video Series:
SNAPSHOTS OF INNOVATION
6 On-Demand Episodes
Description
Join Jon Wiest, Leadership Network Innovation NEXT Director, for episode 1 of Innovation NEXT: Snapshots of Innovation.
In this episode Jon shares current cultural trends and highlights the need for innovation and the future of the church.
Description
Join Jon Wiest, Leadership Network Innovation NEXT Director, and Rob Wegner, LN’s Director of Microchurch NEXT for episode 2 of Innovation NEXT: Snapshots of Innovation.
In this episode, Rob explains the rise of microchurches and how they are innovating to meet the cultural and practical challenges of ministry.
Description
Join Jon Wiest, Leadership Network Innovation NEXT Director, and Jay Moon, Professor at Asbury Theological Seminary for episode 3 of Innovation NEXT: Snapshots of Innovation.
In this episode, Jay provides six creative ways for churches to innovate by remaining missional and financially viable.
Description
Join Jon Wiest, Leadership Network Innovation NEXT Director, and Jason Shepperd, Lead Pastor at the Church Project for episode 4 of Innovation NEXT: Snapshots of Innovation.
In this episode, Jason shares a few key principles for leveraging facilities for ministry and rethinking how churches gather.
Description
Join Jon Wiest, Leadership Network Innovation NEXT Director, and Hannah Gronowski Barnett, CEO of Generation Distinct for episode 5 of Innovation NEXT: Snapshots of Innovation.
In this episode, Hannah gives examples of how next generation leaders are innovating to reach new segments of people with the gospel.
Description
Join Jon Wiest, Leadership Network Innovation NEXT Director and Ed Love, CMAD, Director of The Wesleyan Church, for episode 6 of Innovation NEXT: Snapshots of Innovation.
In this episode, Ed unpacks key principles for how a denomination and networks can innovate to create movement.
Featured Article
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FUTURE CHURCH PODCAST
Get a Front Row Seat to Leaders and Projects Shaping the Future of the Church
Jon Wiest
Director of NEXT Ventures and InnovationNEXT
Jon Wiest (“West”) is the Co-Founder of Mobilize the Church and Executive Director of Groundswell, a global ministry mobilizing a growing wave of disciple makers and pioneering leaders. He previously planted churches in Dallas, TX and Des Moines, IA and is the author of Banding Together and Pioneers. Jon has degrees from Wheaton College, Wesley Seminary, and is pursuing a D.Min. from Asbury Theological Seminary. He is a rabid San Francisco 49ers fan, loves traveling, sports, and history, and currently lives in the Indianapolis, IN area with his wife and four daughters.
