Not long ago, one of my doctoral committee members suggested that the core of my dissertation research was very much in line with some new thinking related to the concept of the Medici Effect. You can learn more about this through Frans Johansson’s book of the same title linked above.

Wikipedia describes this approach as:

“In the book, Johansson argues that innovation comes from diverse industries, cultures, and disciplines when they all intersect, bringing ideas from one field into another. He also recommends assembling diverse teams of people to collaborate on innovation.”

Check it out here.

I’ve enjoyed digging into this concept as I review a new theory for mission leadership in my studies: Polycentric Leadership. Hopefully someday, after the dissertation, I’ll publish more on this topic. 

An Example: Vision Festa

For now, the idea struck me as so pertinent to modern mission and I saw it displayed first-hand at the recent Vision Festa gathering. Vision Festa is a multi-church and mult-organizational movement of church planters in Japan with a huge vision to see 55,000 churches planted across the country. The inspiring part for me is to see churches and organizations working together.

It was amazing to see so many different groups represented and sharing stories of what God was doing in Japan. And, to see them cooperatively working together was so encouraging. They are practicing the Medici Effect!

What a joy it is to be part of this remarkable movement. I’m proud of my Japanese colleagues’ in Asian Access that are leading the way. We aren’t the only players at the helm but we do get to take part at a significant level. How exciting!

Join me in praying for Japan that we will see even more layers of collaboration and more fruit like this!

A Biblical Concept

The bible knew about the Medici Effect long before the modern era… Solomon understood this concept long ago:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”
– Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

How do you work together with others to seek the good of your city, region or country? I’d love to learn from you!

Joe Handley

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