What Church Leaders Can Learn From Walmart's Innovation

As surprising as it may seem, there are valuable lessons church leaders could learn from Walmart's recent rollout of same-day prescription delivery nationwide. Beyond mere convenience, Walmart found an innovative solution to meet the real needs of their customers better. For churches, the same principle applies: listening to the actual needs and adapt to serve people better is vital.

Innovation to Solve Real Problems

Walmart's new service was not born from a whim but rather a clear understanding of the real problems faced by their customers. They saw that people, especially older adults or those with chronic conditions, often struggled to make multiple pharmacy visits. Likewise, church leaders should regularly evaluate whether the activities or programs being run in the church are solving real problems, or merely maintaining the status quo. The best innovations address real issues.

Convenience as Care

Innovation should not mean watering down the core of the church's teachings, similar to how Walmart didn’t stop selling medicines in store but rather made them more accessible. Church leaders should view convenience as an act of care for their congregation. From offering online services to providing multiple service hours and online giving options, these innovations can serve to make church more accessible for everyone.

People Want Solutions

What Walmart noticed was that when people got their prescription delivered, they also ordered other essentials. This indicates that people want holistic solutions, not just one-off transactions. Similarly, churchgoers need more than just a sermon on Sunday: they need a congregation that walks with them throughout the week, providing resources, relationships, and practical help in areas of life where they may be struggling.

Listen and Adapt

Perhaps the biggest takeaway for church leaders from Walmart’s innovation is the emphasis on listening. Walmart actively paid attention to the changing needs of its customers and adapted their services to meet these needs. The church should be doing the same.

As a church leader, when was the last time you listened to what people in your congregation really needed? Are we giving attention to the changing community dynamics of our church? Are we listening to unchurched people who might be open to faith but hesitating due to the church culture?

If we listen well, we may realize that some of the things we've always done don't meet people's needs anymore. The gospel never changes, but how we deliver it can.

That's why innovations in the church aren't about being trendy. They are about making the teachings of Jesus accessible to more people in real and meaningful ways.

To explore more on this topic of innovation in church, listen to today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode.