5 THINGS CHURCH LEADERS CAN LEARN FROM APPLE KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS

Did you catch the Apple Keynote presentation this past week? The launch of the iPhone 5S, 5C and some other things? Maybe you don’t care! Regardless of whether you are an Apple Fanboy or an Apple Hater, Apple do an impressive job with keynote presentations and product launches. The late Steve Jobs set the standard for Apple in his style of presentation. I believe the current CEO Tim Cook and his team continue in similar style and quality.

Church leaders have the opportunity week-by-week to cast vision in church gatherings, but perhaps particularly at Vision Nights, Launch Sundays, AGMs, etc.

Here are 5 things that church leaders can learn from Apple Keynote presentations:

A) Anticipate success

Throughout the product launch there is an air of anticipation and expectancy with what is to come. The presenters help to build this in how they shape the presentation and build towards the announcing of new products and an expectation that the company will continue to succeed.

Ephesians 3:20 says that “God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” God is able! It is right to expect that God will continue to work as his word goes out through local churches. William Carey famously said “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” Christian leaders need to help build this culture of anticipation and expectation for God to do the unimaginable.

B) Believe in your product

Tim Cook and the other Apple presenters genuinely believe in their products. Here are a few quotes from the recent September 2013 keynote:

“it’s really stunning”
“it’s absolutely beautiful”
“absolutely most beautiful phone design in the industry”
“the gold standard in smart phones”

They speak about their products like they are a gospel. A message that needs to be heard. A message that will change your life if you hear, believe and consume.

Christian leaders have a gospel that is far more important! The good news of Christianity is that Jesus Christ has died on the cross to deal with our sin and been raised again to guarantee life beyond the grave to all who believe in him. This is a message that changes lives – not just for this life – but for eternity! Christian leaders must communicate the good news of Jesus like they actually believe it to be true. The message of Jesus is what must inspire us!

C) Celebrate wins

From the beginning of the Keynote it was clear that Apple wanted to point out how they are kicking goals. This was evident on three different scales. First, they celebrate the LARGE scale wins as they show the growth of their product and bottom line victories. Second, they celebrate the MEDIUM scale wins like the opening of their new Stanford retail store. Third, and perhaps most importantly, they celebrate the SMALL scale wins as they show gratitude to the quality of their staff, “our retail staff do an incredible job”.

Christian leaders ought to celebrate the large, medium and small wins. The LARGE win we need to continue to celebrate is Jesus! He is alive, he rules, he reigns, he is continuing to gather for himself a people – don’t grow tired of this one!! The MEDIUM wins we celebrate are specific ministries that have evidence of grace and growth. The SMALL wins are the people who are dedicating themselves to the mission. Celebrate the way that God is at work in and through his people in your church community. Share the stories of those converted from death to life, but also the conversions from infancy to maturity. With appropriate thanks to God – make much of the contribution of small groups leaders and those beavering away behind the scenes.

D) Demonstrate steps

Throughout the Apple Keynote they demonstrate the features of their new products. They do this through live demo’s showing the capabilities of the product and well-produced videos showing a highlights reel of the key features.

Christian leaders should demonstrate to their communities the next step. This might involved good graphics and well-produced videos. But more importantly it will be helping people to see that – no matter how big the vision is – they have achievable, tangible next steps that they can take. A leader can do this by demonstrating: what a new program will look like; how a new strategy will work; the specific steps I can take in creating a welcoming culture; how a Bible reading plan can help you grow as a Christian.

E) Energetic presentation

And the final one in our ABCDE of what church leaders can learn? Energy, excitement, enthusiasm – and any of other related E-words you can think of – are evident in the Apple keynote! It probably comes back to the genuine belief in the product.

Christian leaders who are casting vision and communicating strategy should seek to do it with energy and passion that is consistent with what we believe.  As Paul seeks to proclaim Christ that everyone would be fully mature in Christ he says, “To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:29). Colossians 1 isn’t talking about a “Vision Night”, but the day to day work of seeing disciples grow in Jesus. So hopefully an energy from church leaders casting vision will flow out into a Christ-enabled energy in life and ministry.

What do you think? Are there other things Church leaders can learn from Apple Keynotes?