Recently, I received a Blackstone griddle as a gift. The instructions said assembly required two people. I laughed. You see, the instructions were worse than IKEA’s, and there was even an online AI assistant available to help. Naturally, I decided I could figure it out all by myself.
Eventually, hours later after much frustration and multiple mistakes, the griddle was finally assembled and hot, and my chicken fried rice looked and smelled fantastic. Then a kernel of rice exploded onto my face. I was so surprised that it took a moment to realize that I should probably remove the burning rice.
Somewhere between assembling the griddle and peeling rice off my face, I found three lessons for leading through change.
First, believe the instructions when they say, “This requires more than one person.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 reminds us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” Whether leading a church, ministry, or organization like Servant Solutions, we need others’ help, experience, creativity, and perspective. Leadership is not proving we can manage alone; it is bringing people together around a shared calling.
Second, be humble enough to learn new tools. Artificial intelligence, new software, and updated processes are not substitutes for wisdom. But rejecting something simply because it is unfamiliar can mean overlooking a valuable resource. Faithful stewardship means prayerfully asking, “Has God placed something in our hands that can help us serve our people and ministries more efficiently and effectively?”
Third, expect some hot rice. New systems and tech will not always work perfectly. People need time to learn, and leaders need to make room for questions, feedback, and course corrections. One frustrating experience does not mean we abandon the grill. We pause, adjust, extend grace…and then keep cooking.
The Blackstone is not the meal. Likewise, our tools are not our mission.
At Servant Solutions, we want innovation to help us serve our members better. The tools may change, but your calling remains. In your ministry, as in ours, the goal is not to chase every innovation or even preserve every familiar process. It is to serve faithfully and trust God to guide the way. As Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Our confidence is not in perfect systems, but in the Lord who directs us. So look to Him first, lean on one another, learn with discernment, and keep cooking. The mission is more than worth it.