Fall 2022 | Innovate

Talking Leadership

Opportunity Leadership

Christian Leadership Alliance President and CEO Tami Heim recently interviewed Dr. Roger Parrott, President, Belhaven University. Dr. Parrott is one of America’s most experienced college presidents. He is author of a new book Opportunity Leadership. [...]

By Outcomes Magazine | Belhaven’s Dr. Roger Parrott shares an innovative planning mindset

Power Source

Unleashing Innovation

Innovation leads to relevance and relevance keeps our message in front of those around us. And for the donors who support us financially, being relevant keeps them connected to the life-changing impact their gifts are helping make possible.

By Amy Sewell | Creating cultures that swiftly adapt to digital change

Lead Story

Creating a Culture of Innovation

Creating the right environment that unleashes breakthrough, innovative solutions begins with instilling trust among your entire team. This trust creates a safe and inclusive setting for idea sharing and solution finding.

By Michael McCathren | How redefining trust fosters innovation

Biblically Speaking

Innovation’s Roots

If I asked you to think of history’s top innovators, Martin Luther might not be the first person who comes to mind. He might not even crack the top ten. But let’s consider the case for Martin Luther as an innovative leader...

By Dave Raley | Lasting lessons from an historic innovator

Feature

Take the Right Next Step

When planning the next big innovation for your church or ministry, do you approach it like a NASA engineer preparing for a moon shot? Or are you more like one of the explorers of the sixteenth or seventeenth century?

By Mike Bonem | Leading with a compass, not a map

Feature

Mindsets for Innovation

Why isn’t innovation commonplace in faith-based organizations? Do we fail to believe God will do what he says? Do we refuse to act on his commands? Many leaders believe and respond but struggle to follow-through.

By Jon Hirst | Overcome pitfalls to turn beliefs into disciplined action

Thought Leader

He Gets Us

A new movement in Christianity is taking shape among a growing cohort of like-minded Jesus followers. He Gets Us is hoping to give this movement a voice.

By Jon Lee | Sharing Jesus’ radical love with a skeptical culture

Raising the Bar

Future-Proof Your Fundraising

Changing economies, demographics, and interests all have significant influences on fundraising. So how do we innovate our practices to keep up with the pace of change while maintaining our biblically-centered convictions about generosity...

By Caleb Crider and Tracy Nordyke | Embracing innovation that helps donors give

Reflections

Innovation Begins with a Problem

Innovation begins with a problem. Our problem was simple. Local leaders needed to be equipped to set orphans and vulnerable children in their communities free from trauma so that they could come to Jesus.

By Cindy Finley | What problem are you working to solve?

Foundations

Innovating to New Donors

The key to your fundraising success is innovating ways to find new donors, keeping the ones you have, and re-engaging donors who have stopped giving. Innovation will be a foundation that the next set of thriving nonprofits will build on.

By Jeremy Reis | Better donor communications and multi-channel giving

First Person

Innovation Is More Than Technology

In this exciting era of constant technological advancement, it’s common to understand innovation to be a function of technology. If you have to choose between technology-driven innovation and audience-driven innovation, you should choose the latter. [...]

By Allen Thornburgh | Knowing your audience is priority one

Empowering People

Empathy-Driven Innovation

What if the best innovation was actually motivated and guided by our ability to understand the needs of others? Enter the concept of empathy. An important aspect of empathy is accurately seeing others – their feelings, needs and perspective.

By Dan Kennedy and Audrey Reeves | Seeing others accurately is the starting point

Sources & Resources

Books for Fall 2022

Christian Leadership Alliance recommends 12 thoughtful reads on innovation, technology, leadership and change. These authors explore how we can embrace vital innovation trends and lead with Christ-honoring excellence.

By W. Scott Brown | 12 thoughtful reads on innovation, technology, leadership and change