3 Changes Steve Jobs Would Make if He Became Pastor of Your Church

I was relaxed in my seat on the airplane headed from Dallas to Los Angeles. While holding a diet coke in one hand and my Kindle in the other I was struck with a thought. While reading Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, I suddenly wondered, “What if Steve Jobs would’ve become a pastor? What changes would he have made?” I read the details of how Steve Jobs had entered two large organizations and made quick, effective changes quickly turning Apple and Pixar into successes.

I’m convinced Steve Jobs would’ve made 3 immediate changes as a pastor. Whether or not these changes are appropriate is irrelevant. I just thought it would be fun to imagine one of the great leader’s of our generation becoming a pastor.

So imagine the first 90 days on the job as Pastor Jobs leads your church. Here are the 3 changes he would make:

1) Eliminate Ministries

Jobs’s rationale: Why resource ministries that are not and will not make a substantial impact in the industry (Kingdom)? Regardless of what other businesses (churches) are doing or what “we’ve always done”, let’s only resource ministries that are or will make a substantial impact.

Church’s resistance: But the church must have “xyz” ministry!

Jobs’s response: Since Christianity and the church are losing ground in the U.S., it’s time to think outside of the box on what churches “must” be doing. Eliminating ineffective ministries is the first step in that direction. Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do. – Steve Jobs quote in his biography

2) Eliminate Leaders

Jobs’s rationale: Why retain leaders who are not and will not make a substantial impact in the Kingdom?

Church’s resistance = But he/she is a good person with a heart for God.

Jobs’s response = Retaining less than great leaders over-values people’s feelings and under-values the church’s mission. Corporations filter all decisions through their bottom-line. We must honor the church’s bottom-line (people’s eternity, glorifying God) with effective leadership.

3) Cast a fresh “let’s change the world” vision

Jobs’s rationale: The founder’s (Christ) original mission is usually the most compelling. The church must regain its “let’s change the world” vision.

Church’s resistance: But we want to honor traditions and a familiarity.

Jobs’s response: Jesus invested in disciples and then sent them to save the world. Literally. The church’s mission today must be equally monumental and equally inspiring!

Wow! Now that would be a full 90 days!