The problem was fundamental. Researchers assigned four students to build a structure using 20 pieces of spaghetti, 1 yard of tape, 1 yard of string, and a marshmallow. The only rule was the marshmallow had to end up on top.
Two groups received this assignment–kindergarteners and business students from elite universities.
The study’s leader made some assumptions. The more skilled and intelligent persons would do better.
Dozens of trials later, the results were surprising.
The kindergarteners built structures of 26 inches tall. The business studies 10-in structures were dwarfs by comparison.
What did they discover? Life is not about the intelligence of the individuals but working together. Kindergarteners came together to do the work. That made the difference, not the IQ or educational level.
We sometimes rely on “experts” to solve our problems. In the church, we read the “church growth gurus.” We pour over blog posts and books crammed with the right answers…that do not work.
Instead, we need to return to the image God imprinted on his church.
“All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:11–12)
The answer is not more PhDs giving ivory-tower solutions. It is for everyday Christians, fueled by faith, moving in unison.
So, let’s be kindergarten kids who work together than smart people who don’t.
-Robert G. Taylor-
