Liam Savage

Doctorate of Ministry Dissertation and Final Project

A Study of the Impact of the Innovation Launchpad on the Experience of Doing Ministry:
Spirit-Led Innovation as Missional Praxis

Abstract

Theological innovation in ministry is often framed as the application of best practices and emerging methodologies to modern ecclesial challenges. However, this dissertation argues that innovation must be understood as a praxis rather than a mere practice: reframing it not as a pursuit of efficiency or growth, but as a means of embodying Christ’s love more effectively through spiritually formative processes that shape both ministry and minister. This study uncovers the theological implications of innovation through the lens of priestly, prophetic, and kingly leadership, reflecting Christ’s fulfillment of these Old Testament offices. It examines how innovation functions as a mediating force (priest), a disruptive force (prophet), and a sustaining force (king), emphasizing the necessity of spiritual grounding in missional change-making.Drawing from biblical exegesis, historical case studies, and contemporary innovation theory, this dissertation interrogates the growing gap between churches and parachurch ministries, as well as the believer’s participation in the missio Dei. Through a qualitative analysis of graduates from The Innovation Launchpad, a professional development course for ministry practitioners, this study investigates how principles of innovation shape perspectives on church community, personal calling, and missional engagement. Findings indicate that innovation is most effective when paired with deep reliance on God, as spiritual formation correlates more strongly with ministry success than methodological adaptation.The research contributes to missiological and theological discourse by offering a framework for Spirit-led innovation, one that resists the commodification of ministry while equipping leaders to embody Christ’s mission in an ever-changing world. The dissertation concludes with a call for ministry practitioners to integrate prayer, discernment, and community-driven learning into their innovation processes, ensuring that their efforts reflect not only strategic excellence but also deep spiritual fidelity.

Read

Here is where you can read the full research report and access the document.

Martha Martha - Prayer App

This is under development, but will provide a place to access the poems in a way that will remind you to pray without ceacing.

Poetry

These are the first of a series of poems I've begun to write as an artistic habit to foster a deeper prayer life, constant reliance on God and to eliminate pride and idolatry.

Unity

You are the Father, us the children
Brothers, sisters, family, oneOne with each other
One with the Son
The Son with His Father
Son, Father, Spirit, Trinity, OneA small slice of heaven, this time together
Adopted siblings united we dream and steward
Now for a moment, but soon for eternity
Ways to glorify, and praise the Almighty

Hope

Help me, Master, to remember my place
A steward of Your riches, Mercy and GraceHelp me good Shepherd, to recognize Your voice
A sheep of your flock, guide my every choice.Help me Holy Spirit, Partner in prayer, Counselor and Comforter
To pray as I should, for what You will
To live as You Lord, Love revealed
To stand on hope, despite how life might feel.

Humility

I am a temple of God almighty
May those I meet see You, not me.Feeble hands, borrowed breath
Feet that often head for death
Kill all childish pride You see
Reveal the great I AM through meI listen, You speak,
You are Strong, I am weak,
You lead, I obey
I am blind, You are the Way.

Sin

Deliver me from myself
Deliver me for Your glory
Deliver me to Your Son
From my sinful thoughts and patterns
For Your Name to be shared in my testimony
To the beauty and joy of Love unspeakable
Deliver me, Holy Spirit
Deliver me, Jesus
Deliver me, Father

Presence of God

I experience Your presence every moment
The warmth of a blanket, Your warmth
The senses to perceive it, Your gift
The mind to ponder it, Your breath
You are in all, and in You all holds together
You are in me and hold me together
I in the Son, the Son in the Father
The Spirit in me, the Spirit in my brother
May we all be one, drawing always closer
To the Spirit, to the Son, to the Father, to each other
To experience and proclaim His glory forever.

Close

A new day; this morning You hear my voice
You, my God and maker
You, my King and Lord
You, my perfect Father
And dear attentive Friend
Closer than a brother, You hear my every word
What a gift, Your care, fully undeserved

Dawn

This morning, I prepare a sacrifice
To glorify Your name
And ask if You would do the same
Through my humble frameThis morning, I prepare a sacrifice
My ears, my eyes, my whole attention
To wait, for a still quiet voice to say
A word of life and love, your holy affectionThis morning I prepare a sacrifice
My very self consumed in your flame
Search me, burn me, so I’m never the same
Out from the ashes, Your love will remainThis morning I prepare a sacrifice
Me, myself, all that I am, all that I own
I trust in the Love, mercy, goodness You have shown
Lead me to labor in the fields You have grown

Habakkuk 3:17-18

I have in my mind a picture of perfection
A life where everything is just right
But that’s not my experience today
What I hoped is nowhere in sight
Even simple enjoyment is out of reach
Getting basic necessities is a mess
And I don’t have the means to begin again
Justifiably, I could feel hopeless.
Regardless of all that I choose joy in God
God has always saved me
God will always save me
God is saving me this very moment
He is my strength, not what I own
Not my circumstances or home
He enables me to surpass even
The perfection I think I’m missing
He can lead me to places I can’t dream
I will laugh today because of God
The Lord is my salvation
Salvation is in His hand
I place myself in His hand
I find my joy there also

Leadership

Your ways higher, your wisdom more true
I’d rather stay locked in step with You.I walk, You guide,
I fall, You rise,
I stray, You call,
You are the Way, the Truth, the Life.I speak, You wait,
I rush, You stay,
I strive, You whisper,
“Be still, be still, I AM.”

Plans

Let nothing go according to my plans today
When someone crosses paths with You
They don’t remain the sameFrom Shepherds to Kings and fishers to saints
From barren to mother and exiles to greatYou change the nature of nature itself
From crippled, sick and dead, to full healthYou make last first and least greatest with undeserved grace
Your ways are higher, wisdom untold
Your ways are higher, Love without bound
Your ways are higher, mercy and graceLet naught go according to my plans today
Only what You say, only Your way
Only for Your glory, only Your way
Only Lord Jesus, only Your way
Speak Holy Spirit, show me the way

Longing

My soul longs for something
An empty endless hole
Craving, yearning, striving
Never ever full.You alone will satisfy,
Infinite as you are
Take my need and want away
Close the gaping scarYour light and love are greater
Than any want or doubt
Your love is all that matters
With joy and praise, I shout

Today

You caused the sun to rise again today
Just as Jesus, Your Son, rose on the third day
To make me whole by Your wonderful deeds
Sufficient also for today’s needs

Broken

Break me, shape me, cleanse me whole,
mend my spirit, restore my soul.
Not by my strength, but by Your grace,
Make me holy, show Your face.