iPhone 4.0. What can the Church learn?

Today Apple released the news about the much anticipated iPhone 4.0. After watching the video what can one learn from the way Steve Jobs and his crew do to promote a product. Some would argue that what Apple does is just hype. Others would contest that everything Apple does is very intentional. What do you say?

My view after watching the video, is that Apple is simply a pioneer in stretching the power of imagination. Did this imagination start just last year, I doubt it. Facetime for example, reminds me of an episode of the JETSONS that I first saw over 25 years ago.

The future is now.

What can we learn from Apple?

1. Never stop pushing the envelope of creativity. God created the world, and He created you in His image. You were destined to be creative. Push the envelope, don’t let average be your enemy to fulfilling a vision

2. In search of complexity, find simplicity – I believe it was Albert Einstien that first said this. Everything Apple does, they consistantly ask themselves, how can be make this better and simpler. The new iPhone is smaller, 40% better battery life, records HD video and incorporates video phoning.

3. Don’t copy, be original. Apple is the epitome of originality. They are the front runners in the industry. They learned from others in the industry, and although they have only been in the mobile phone market for a short period, they rapidly dominate the market, because of originality.

4. Have a product that creates raving fans. How many times do we see Apple users, just brag about their products. I am one. I am a raving fan. Apple does not pay me. The product sells itself. Is your product, creating raving fans? BTW, you can reinvent your product, culture and environment to create a product to create raving fans.

5. Be united. Looking at the entire Apple line of product, they all compliment each other. Seldom do they create a product that is just left field that is of no significance to the rest of the product family. If you have an organisation, be united. Find you fit. Having an organisation, that is so multifaceted yet, the left hand is in direct competition to the right hand, this will eventually create division and strife in your organisation. Everything Apple does, is purposed and intended. The software compliments the hardware, and vice-versa.

How can this apply to the church. Think about it. Have you stopped being creative in your leadership? Is the church fostering an environment of creativity? Is the church simply just adding programmes without really thinking about the outcomes or the progression of the vision. Does the latest programme even fit into the vision. I remember Craig Groeschel from lifechurch.tv talking about this one time. They cut out off all the fat in their ministry, and simplified their ministry to just five core values. Now they have perhaps one of the most innovative (and creative) ministries in the USA.

Is your church full of raving fans? Is there a genuine buzz in the air about your church. Are people experiencing or seeing the power of God in church each service? Or are you just going through the motions of doing church.

Nothing will destroy a ministry or a church quicker than a ministry that is not unified. Jesus spoke about a house that is divided against itself CANNOT stand. If you have a ministry full of micro-ministries and each of these are not complimenting the overall vision of the church and organisation, it is not unified. Perhaps vision needs to be injected back into the ministry. Each area of the ministry needs to be fulfilling the vision. If what you are doing is not according to your God-inspired vision, how can it be God-blessed? If you have as part of your vision, an outlet to have people run micro-ministries within a master ministry, enjoy the ride.