It used to be that when I had an idea about something crazy we could try at Elevation, my first and primary filter about whether we should do it was whether other churches that I knew about and admired had ever done it/would ever do it.
I’m asking that question less and less these days.
I’m learning that in order to see the types of radical results we’re praying for at Elevation, we’re going to have to veer from the beaten path more and more often as we grow.
And now, when another pastor tells me something is a bad idea, I don’t allow it to stop me in my tracks.

For example: Several pastors told me our Egg Drop event was a horrible idea and would be perceived as gimmicky.
It was a raging success. It introduced us to the community in a larger than life format, and provided us with a preview of our future.

One or two pastors tried to talk me out of our spontaneous baptism services in May, saying that our young church would perceive the intensity as too much, too soon. But we felt God urging us, and 426 people are very glad we followed through. And it was a spiritual watershed we’ll never forget.

Most recently, several pastors told me the Bless Back Project was too risky, and too expensive. And after weeks of prayer and conference with our team, I felt God pushing me into the deep end, so we took the plunge. And it’s probably created more excitement and momentum than anything we’ve ever attempted, or ever could have imagined.

As I’m typing this, I’m thinking of more and more examples. Going to two services in the month of May… starting a 2nd campus in less than 30 days within 14 months of our existence… the list goes on.

Please understand, I always want to have the humility to receive the wisdom of others, and weigh it carefully. But when God says do it, I want to have the guts to do it… even if a few folks look at me, roll their eyes, and lament:
We’ve never done that before…

In fact, when someone tells me something’s never been done before, I’m starting to get excited rather than discouraged.
Because maybe the reason it’s never been done before is that it was meant for us to do.