Report from the Future

Fast Company’s annual “Report from the Future” (March 2007) highlights a cadre of “money-making, world saving ideas—from a road that heats your water to concrete that cleans the air.” It features companies and individuals who are on the cutting edge of environmentally friendly technologies, which is quickly becoming not only big business, but also responsible business, all across the globe.

One such individual is Mark Edlen, the managing principal of Portland, Oregon-based Gerding Edlen Development. Edlen has developed around $4 billion worth of high-quality, environmentally sustainable buildings. Oregon Health and Science University’s new 16 storey bioscience center is one recent example, and is on track to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum rating. Working to maximize cost-efficiency, Edlen has set out to design buildings that will “produce more energy than they consume and consume more waste than they produce” and to do that within five years. When asked if he will make it, he replies, “I’m 100% confident that if we don’t try, we won’t make it.”

Wow!! What an attitude! “If we don’t try, we won’t make it.” This is perhaps the mantra for futurists and the gateway of experimentation for the innovators. It is not new to us Americans, for this disposition fueled much of our progress as a nation. However, this also motivated much of John Wesley’s ministry. He could see the amazing potential out there, beyond the walls of the church, and he set out to see this vision through, despite criticism and ridicule. He preached in ‘open air,’ even upon his father’s grave. He went to collieries where coal miners were slaving away, yet eager to hear about God’s love. He established homes for elderly widows. He self-learned medicine so the underprivileged could receive some health care. He wrote books and pamphlets to help educate the masses. He licensed women preachers to build the body of Christ among women. He said, “The world is my parish.” But, he didn’t just say it—he lived it.

“If we don’t try, we won’t make it.” I like it. Let's live it!

Moving Forward in Christ,
JON