One thing we often see in ministry leadership is what I call boardroom boredom. It happens when things are going well — the mission is strong, people are engaged, and God is clearly at work — but those in leadership start feeling restless. They look around and see other ministries trying new things, and they start wondering if they should “freshen things up” too.
Sometimes that restlessness leads to real innovation. But often, it shows up as unnecessary change — a rebrand for the sake of rebranding, a program overhaul no one asked for, or a shift in tone that ends up confusing the very people who already believe in what you’re doing.
The temptation in those moments is to create movement just to feel movement. But history tells us that decisions made out of boredom can be some of the most expensive ones an organization ever makes.
Let me tell you a story about a brand you definitely know.
In 1985, Coca-Cola didn’t have a problem. It was the most recognized brand in the world, deeply loved and woven into everyday life. But inside the company, executives were getting restless. Pepsi was running bold taste-test ads, younger audiences were paying attention and the competition suddenly looked exciting.
So Coca-Cola decided to change.
They reformulated their flagship drink — the one that had defined them for nearly a century — and introduced it as New Coke. Market tests said people liked the flavour. The rollout was confident, even a little smug. Then the world reacted.
Loyal customers revolted. Letters poured in. Phone lines jammed. People hoarded the old Coke and staged protests outside bottling plants. What Coca-Cola’s research hadn’t measured was emotion — the connection people felt to something familiar, dependable and theirs. Within a few chaotic months, the company reversed course and reintroduced the original formula as Coke Classic.
The lesson was unforgettable: sometimes leaders break what’s working simply because they’re bored with it.
In ministry, that temptation can be just as real. When things are stable, leaders can start to confuse faithfulness with stagnation. But sometimes what your people need most isn’t something new — it’s something true. They need consistency, clarity and conviction, not a constant chase for relevance.
At Radiant, we help ministries clarify their story so they stay rooted in what truly works. The goal isn’t to reinvent for the sake of novelty; it’s to protect what makes your mission authentic and meaningful. When you keep the message healthy, the ministry thrives and people stay connected.
Because sometimes, the biggest mistake you can make isn’t failure. It’s tinkering out of boredom just to feel something new.
