“We’ve always done it that way.”

Now is the time for the Catholic Church to stop using this as an excuse.

Why?

In parishes across the world, efficiency and comfort have stifled creativity. Instead of innovation, we’ve opted for convenience. Instead of finding new ways to effectively outreach, engage others, and bring people to know the love of Jesus Christ, we’ve continued to do what has always been done. When we look at the statistics of those coming into the Catholic faith and those leaving the Catholic faith it’s clear that what we’ve always done is not working.

President of the OSV Institute, Jason Shanks, shared a powerful message about the crisis of innovation in the Catholic Church in a talk titled “The Inefficient Innovator.” As Jason assures us, he is not saying that the Catholic Church should change Church doctrine, traditions, or the liturgy. These things are the Church’s foundation of truth, beauty, and goodness and should remain so. This is simply a call to think beyond programs and processes in order to get to the heart of relational ministry and see real transformation in the hearts of our friends, family, and fellow parishioners.

Are you ready to “put out into the deep” in the same way that Jesus asked Peter and the apostles to do? It’s a risk worth taking.

Take some time to listen to the talk that Jason Shanks gave as part of the OSV Talks series. These talks given by prominent Catholic leaders spark discussion, explore new approaches, and inspire creative thinking, all from the heart of the church. Find the series HERE.

The Inefficient Innovator | Jason Shanks

Questions To Reflect On

1. What is the danger in continuing to do things they way they have always been done?
2. What ministries in your parish could use some innovative ideas?
3. How can you facilitate those changes?
4. What are some things about the Catholic Church that should remain unchanged? Why are those essential?

Examples of Catholic Ministries Using Innovative Strategies

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