Imagine a leader who sticks to ONLY what he has known and another leader who is open to new ideas? What do you imagine would be the impact of each of these leaders?
Behold, I will do a new thing; ?
Isaiah 43:19
Your leadership will be stunted if you are not prepared to embrace new ideas. The world is constantly changing. Old systems and approaches no longer work. Computers have refashioned the way we do things. Seasons change! Needs change! And people change!
That is why God constantly introduces fresh and new things.
I am very open to new ideas. I do not mind changing things I have been doing in a particular way for a long time. I find that God is a God of positive change. God is a God of improvement.
I notice how people laugh at me when I suggest new ideas. I have observed with amazement how some architects, engineers, technicians, builders, lawyers, accountants and pastors are resistant to new concepts. I notice how they quietly sneer and giggle amongst themselves as they listen to some new idea: ?We don?t do things this way.? ?It has not been done before!? ?We are not in America.? ?If we had what they have in Europe, we could have done it.? ?It is not possible in Ghana.? ?It?s not realistic.?
One can hear these statements and sense these messages even when they are not voiced.
Africans sat on their continent whilst Europeans explored the world and discovered us.
Why did we wait to be discovered in Africa? Why didn?t we explore new horizons? Why didn?t Africans explore new territories and discover the Europeans? Openness to new ideas is a secret to moving ahead as a leader. No wonder Europeans are ahead in almost every sphere of life (except spiritually).
God is a God of change. He is doing new things. Embrace new ideas with honesty. Try a new method. A new way of doing things may be the key to pushing you ahead of everyone else in your field. When I practised the lay ministry, I didn?t do it because I saw others doing it. I did it because it needed to be done even though it was new. I am following my Heavenly Father who is a God of new things. Be like your heavenly Father. There is no better mentor.
Five Examples of New Things That God Does
1. God embarks on new projects, new schemes, new ideas and new plans.
Behold, I will do a NEW THING; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19
2. God gives new languages to his people.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with NEW TONGUES?
Mark 16:17
3. God gives brand new instructions to his servants. Every instruction has an expiry date.
A NEW COMMANDMENT I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 13:34
4. God makes us into brand new people who have never existed before.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
5. God makes new agreements and He issues fresh calls to service.
If you are open you will hear his voice.
In that he saith, a NEW COVENANT, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Hebrews 8:13
Indeed, if we are to make an impact as leaders, we must embrace new ideas willingly, gladly, eagerly and cheerfully.
By Dag Heward-Mills
