Thinking "Hybrid"

Dustin Neely has a good post on the Resurgence blog about "thinking hybrid". Here are three ways you can go about doing that. I think there is much wisdom here.

1. Read and listen widely.

Church planters and pastors tend to only listen to those they agree with. While this may seem initially gratifying, it can stifle creativity and reproduce the same kind of "blind spots" in ministry that are held by our heroes. Be bold. Read a book or subscribe to a podcast by someone outside your tribe to see what God might teach you. Draw what you can and leave the rest. As you do, allow the process to sharpen your own convictions and thinking.

2. Befriend someone from another "tribe."

It's one thing to disagree with a book written by someone you will not meet until heaven; it is another thing to have breakfast with a guy like him. Schedule breakfast with a guy in your city who you know is not like you, and see what God might teach you through that encounter.

3. Be humble.

The men I respect most are those who have great conviction, but who are also open to correction. Could that be said of you? Or is your own insecurity so strong that you couldn't be questioned? If so, read Philippians 2 and pray for humility in your life and root yourself in gospel reality.

As you do, I believe you will be more able to “think hybrid” for the glory of God and the good of the world.