Just Say Yes!

The church says No in a thousand ways to new ideas, ministry initiatives, and creative people who want to try things differently. Sometimes we say No in explicit ways and other times we restrain innovation in more nuanced and unintentional ways. Pastors say No to laity and lay persons say No to pastors in ways that limit creativity and restrain ministry. Supervising pastors and committees say No to staff, and staff say No to new ideas from teams. Long-established members say No to the ideas of new people, and older folks say No to the young. Traditional worshippers say No to contemporary worshippers, and vice versa. Existing classes, mission teams, and music ministries eye new groups or initiatives with deep suspicion. When No pervades a congregation in explicit or subtle ways, the default of "doing what we did last year" wins. No stifles ministry, kills innovation, and deadens enthusiasm.