You want to be Creative?
You want to be innovative?
Then stop trying to hard so be creative and innovative and serve your Senior Pastor. That may be the most creative and innovative thing you can do because a lot of people are not doing it.
One of the most important tasks of a creative director (or in my context Pastor) is serving the house by serving your Senior leader (or Pastor). No amount of creativity, hard work, innovation or great experiences can replace a humble servant who bears the armor for God’s chosen man.
I am going to come at you a little over the next ten posts so I hope you can take it. If you are an anti-authority person – you probably will not enjoy the next 10 days of posts. But if you believe everything hinges on being willing to submit to authority and serve your leader, you may just learn something. I would love to have you input as well!
#1 – Put His Vision over Your Portfolio.
I get quite a few e-mails or questions at conferences that go something like this, “How can I get my Senior Pastor to realize that my art is more important than his vision”. Ok. That is not what people say, but that its what they mean. It comes dressed in clothes like this:
//My Senior Pastor just does not understand the needs of our department for a class A designer.//
He probably understands more than you think. What the creative director often does not know is that the senior pastor is juggling five departments that are not meeting budget but “need” more people. Descsions are hard, but sometimes they have to be made and in most context it’s the senior leader who has to make them. Don’t add to the stress by needing eveything you do to be original – that is just your selfishness rearing it’s ugly head. It may not win you an Addy, but you may just need to use stuff from open.lifechurch.tv or a great website template from Clover or maybe a background from worshiphousemedia.com. It will not build your portfolio, but it will be a great experience and may juts take some stress off of your senior pastor.
//My senior Pastor wants us to “rip off” something he saw on television or the movies for a series, that is just so 1998, we need to be original”
This may seem harsh. But we need to get over ourselves. There is too much at stake for eletist design snobs (and I am sometimes one). Many of your are great at what you do, but so is your senior leader. Although we often think we have cornered the market on understanding pop culture and design because we subscribe to “How” and wear graphic tees and our senior pastor still wears a Polo and reads the New York Times, he is pretty sharp.
If you don’t think he is resign today and get another job. Why would you want to work for someone you think is not sharp?
I cannot tell you how many times Pastor Greg has pushed for a direction in a series that I believed was “out of date” or “poor use of pop culture” to find that he has an innate Holy Spirit given ability to know what people are struggling with and how to communicate that. Ninety percent of the time he lets the creatives be creative, but in that ten percent that he pulls the Pastor Card – guess what – he can, could and should. And 100% of the time on those rare occasion he has been correct.
//I just need my Pastor to be cooler, he is not cool enough and does not understand the new generation//
I have been on church staff through about 4 emerging generations now and each one has thought that they were too cool for church, could not be reached by anyone older than them and that they had cornered the market on cool. This has led to “church within a church” debacles and to churches with Brand Schizophrenia because the designers are putting portfolio over vision. What I have found is that each of these generations wants church to be like them, for them and about them because we are selfish people. So what we really need rather than a 50 year old man trying to be like us, speak like us and about our needs and wants is a 50 year old man to act his age and be the Dad many of them never had. Most of us have enough cool in our lives – what we really need is someone who cares enough to get in our chili and remind us that it is not about us. Lay off your Senior Pastor about being cool. He probably is not. Most I know are not and when they try to be it’s just embarrassing. Can I tell you something else – your not cool either. Be Jesus to your community not Bono.
Hope you stick around for part Two tommorrow.
Filed under: Church Experience
nice…well said, needs to be said more!
This is an outstanding post. I can’t wait for part two. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Fantastic post! Amen. I needed that, thanks.
Awesome Post Shawn. It will be reposted!
Hey Shawn:
Having been a staff member and senior pastor, let me say that this was very well written and if heeded, can be very beneficial to all leadership. Missed seeing you at all staff this week.
Dennis
[...] http://shawnsblogspot.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/10-ways-you-can-be-creative-part-one/ [...]
OUCH! ya got me…thanks
OK, I’m not cool, but I’ll be OK
This coming from someone who has never been paid to exercise his Spiritual gift, in other words i’ve never been on a church staff. Take me to the congruent scriptures dude. Yes, the ones that show me the American context of “Pastor” you are setting up. The ones that show me how in the Body of Christ the gift of being the Pastor is by far and away the most important part of the Body. The ones that show me the Pastor has to have a massive ego and be followed lock step. Take me to the verses that show me a pastor that is the center of attention, a celebrity who no longer exposites the Word of God because he is so busy going to schmoozefests…er… conferences, booking conferences , planning conferences, ripping off everything he read the last 10 years so one day when he is famous enough he can “become” a “writer” himself, searching for a videographer so he can rip off Rob Bell too, obbsessing over the topic of leadership and spending $10 a day at a coffee shop because it’s an environment that stimulates him to think about missional living. Take me to the Biblical mandate mandate for all this stuff PLEASE !!!
In other words, hey Pastors, please come on back to being a PART of the Body of Christ instead of thinking you are the guiding force.
I must appologize for my harsh tone from my side of the screen. Sometimes I can just go off like a volcano. I need to speak in love.
My perspective is the guy in row 6 seat 4 that came to church to worship with the Body but is very confused with the way people are dragging the bride around. I go to church after church after church both physically and online and see puffed up organizations that reflect the personalities of some guy that speaks well. We need to see the reflection of Jesus Christ.
Jud, thanks man. Was spending some time with my new little fellow and did not see your second comment or else I would have approved earlier…I hope that God blesses your desire to serve him in whatever capacity you can! I know your heart is that you love Jesus and the church – I hope you will grant that same assumption to us as well!
Thanks bro for stopping by!
Shawn
Looks like Jud has some baggage w/ Senior Pastors. Yes, they can be egotistical nut-jobs like anybody else. But if the Senior Pastor doesn’t have the support of the staff, the the congregation isn’t going to follow. That’s all Shawn is saying. The best leaders (in any arena) put their own ego aside for the good of the whole.
jud,
perhaps if you’ve actually been on a church staff, you’d have a different perspective and a respect for what they do. just my two cents.
michael
Jud, that’s kinda harsh. Lay off the caffeine…
Shawn, great post. Jud, need some healing and to find an authentically Christian church. Hate that you have had negative experiences, however lumping us all into your bad experience is unfortunate. Jud, you should check some of my work on Nurturing a Shared Vision. It’s my dissertation at the COGTS in Cleveland TN. I understand there are some that have abused the position, however, there are some church bodies that have killed pastors. Let’s all seek God and implement HIS VISION. Again, Shawn, awesome work.
Wow. I can’t say I’m happy or love this post, but it should stimulate good conversation.
I think the biggest frustration in this post is how it opening seems to imply the senior pastor is 100% always correct when selecting titles and knowing how to leverage culture. That’s not always the case, and that’s why we have the jobs we do.
That said, you go brotha! The lead/senior pastor’s vision is first and for most, because it is (or certainly should be) God-ordained and Spirit-led. Our pastor just canned the next two series (after I spent a ton of time on art) because God was calling him to speak on something else. Oh well, let’s start over.
We do have the “fights” with him on occasion about series titles, and using dated cultural references that way. It’s a give and take, just like any other relationship. We have to respect him and his ideas if we want him to respect ours. It works well.
On occasion, he’s unwilling to budge. We accept it, and run full speed ahead with it. Other times we can suggest other titles and why they fit better; he will accept them, and even love them. It’s all about fostering that relationship.
I think original can be over-rated (just because another church used this title doesn’t mean we can’t), but just as often there is little creativity, or copy-paste ministry. What works for someone else, won’t work for us. We are the white suburbs, so “bling” isn’t relevant cultural reference for a sermon series for us.
Sorry to be long winded. Support your pastor. He needs it. If you do, you will earn the right to be involved in his creative process. Does that sound right?
Mitch – great points…future post coming called, don’t be a “yes man” and I think we will explore how 90% of our creative ideas happen…my point on this post was in those times when SOMEONE has to make the call, the senior pastor is the man…and he is usually a lot smarter than we give him credit for…thanks come commenting and I hope to have more conversation.
GREAT post. Having been a Senior Pastor for over 10 years you are right on the money. What people fail to realize is that Senior Pastors generally have 2 jobs: Shepherd/Vision developer AND Preacher/Teacher. I know the vision God has given me for direction of Life Point and for each sermon series. BUT, I rely on creative people to help me present HIS TRUTHS in the most creative and compelling manner possible.
I dont think about ripping someone off, or being the next Rob Bell, or have me at the center of anything. I dont expect anyone to follow ME lock step nor to be someone who is looking for a videographer.
I care about the person God puts in that seat on Sunday morning who needs JESUS and will end up in hell if he doe not meet Him. Everyone else on staff has that as their first priority.
Great post. I;m originally from Orangeburg so i dont know what “CONGRUENT” means but I have spent $15.00 in one day on coffee.
Oh nice – Jud found you. Hi Jud. Take us to the part about how you can be so critical of everyone who doesn’t do things the way you like and that’s OK?
I loved this post and its spot on. The church is not a democracy and the sheep dont lead the shepherd.
Jud, the word pastor essentially means shepherd. Shepherds guide and protect the sheep. Paul also tells us in Ephesians 4:12 the pastor should “prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
Shawn, good post. We should serve in a church where we can respect and support the senior pastor. If we can’t support the senior pastor and his vision, do we belong in that church?
JUD, how about checking out Eph. 4:11 the role and call of a pastor is to equip the saints for the works of ministry, not to do all of it. Can a dr. Run an I v line? Can he administer mess? Can he change bed sheets? Can he bring food trays to patients? Sure he can, but does he? No. The reason is because there are others who can do those things to sustain life and the dr steps in at the critical times to give direction and make the tough calls. Where is he in the other time you might ask? He is studying sharpening his skills and learning of new methods and equipment for treating the sick. So when he comes in he does not come in worn and torn unprepared to address the situation but fresh with answers and direction. This is the pastor. Maybe he seems removed but if using time to read the word and seek God, he is prepared for the moment to lead and equip those God has placed around him to carry out the vision. Blessings
Shawn you are right on bro. Peace.
Great words Shawn. They stung a little – in all kinds of good ways. Jud’s response has “hurt” and “ax-to-grind” written all over it.
Why is this such a struggle for so many of us? Ultimately we all want to be the one with the great idea and be thanked for having an influence. However, if we just played team ball we could win a lot more.
Thanks for a great post!
Love this Shawn.
I love it when people rip you up and you can’t click on their name.
Shawn, I am a staff member, not a senior pastor and your post is legit. I have instructed our staff to read every post in the series. If you can’t support God’s man for your church then you should check your heart or checkout.
Jud, love you man! The book of Exodus and Romans are good sources as to how and treat your leaders and those that God places in authority.
Wow! Serve our senior pastor. If that pastor is being true to God’s vision [like Pastor Greg does] then our submitting ourselves to him, will bring out our Creativity etc.
God will use us to ride in the 2nd chariot [Billy Horsby's phrase] along with our leaders.
Thanks Shawn.
If you’re in a church wherein the pastor is not following God’s vision at all [I'm not talking about a fluke or a one time mistake] then get out of that church instead of staying and griping.
I used to get a catalogue that sold some pretty uber-conservative Christian products. One of those items was either an audio or a video series intented for parents to use to counter-act what their church may be teaching the youth. It actually said something like “If your church is not teaching Bibical values then you need to teach them at home…”
Ok if your church is not teaching your kids Bibical values…GET OUT OF THAT CHURCH!!! Don’t try to counteract something you see or hear. Find a church that teaches it. Of course, this is assuming you’re right. It could be that the church is right and you’re wrong.
Pastor Greg has a great saying about this type of situation. “If everything your church teaches is a problem…maybe you’re the problem.”
I will admit I got a little sensitive on this one. I will begin withholding some of my overall concerns until these all get fleshed out.
I think it stings because deep down, I know you’re right, and I’m not sure I want you to be. I look forward to the rest.
“If your church is not teaching Bibical values then you need to teach them at home…”
Not only get out of that church but what about Parents teaching their kids the Biblical values at home? I’m a new parent and from everything I’ve taken in I won’t trust MOST churches with teaching my children. From what I’ve seen most childrens ministries have become so centered around entertainment that there is no time for depth, only time to lace it with “virtues” that could be applied by any other World religeon or straight from secular humanism for that matter. very little content that is distinctive to Christianity.
No surprise really, it usually only reflects what is going on in the adults service.
Jud, thank you for your enlightening words. As a children’s leader, please help me get in depth with teaching children about anything that keeps their interest without some sort of entertainment. Even adults aren’t immune from this and I don’t see anything wrong with making a subject interesting or applicable by adding a little bit of entertainment.
I wish I could be a fly on the wall when you(a new parent) tries to teach or explain anything to your kid without throwing some entertainment value into it. You might be surprised when your kid falls asleep or finds something else to do during your teaching. I’m sure in time you might come to understand the art that it takes to be a teacher.
Much love.
PS. Shawn, My wife and I are still amazed at how well you spoke on our wedding day. Your words were and always will be engraved in our hearts. Thank you for being our pastor.
ok, so maybe the posts are getting a little away from the intended discussion but it is good conversation, so i say let it fly.
Shawn, I definitly appreciate your post and agree 100%. I am a volunteer worship leader at my church (we’re a small church and don’t have any staff except pastor) and there have been times that I have had an attitude similar to Jud’s towards my Pastor.
When he as gone a direction that has contradicted what I thought he should do I have been quick to question his ability as our leader. Now, I don’t know why I would do that, because I have never pastored a church before. Perhaps it’s was an issue of pride (which it has been at times), or perhaps it was just an instance of me needing to get over myself.
The measuring stick should be the Word of God. To anyone who might read this: Be a Berean (look it up if you don’t know what it is) Know what God said a pastor should be, but also know what a good follower should. Understand submission Jud.
Tristan,
90% entertainment or 10% ?
Thanks to Dr. Spock our entire culture has spent the last 50 years centered around appeasing children for so long and so much that we have now produced generation>S< of adult adolescents. And the church can’t seem to follow along fast enough… Lord knows we try. That in large part is why we are where we are at as a Nation today. Self absorbed, over stimulated, over $pent, over analyzed, over indulged, over nourished naval gazers failed by a government. Sadly most people in the church mirror the cultural statistics. Where is the POWER of the Gospel? The gaping void is covered by a myriad of constructs fresh from the minds of Madison Avenue (Gladwell, Godin, Buckingham, etc.)
Not every church but SO many I encounter trade the POWER of the Gospel for a seeker friendly psuedo psychological soup that will capture the attention of our adult adolescent population who are mostly seeking a god made in their own image.
And what if children learned about Jesus from their parents at home on Sunday morning before they came to worship with the Body? What if the Parents with their children used Sunday morning to reach out to the fatherless, motherless or those children whose parents are adrift in our cultural fog?
How different we would be. How wonderfully peculiar.
See, What I’m getting at is that all these mailers I get from churches being “different”, “not your father’s church”, “church like you’ve NEVER experienced (there’s that word again) before.
Thats all a bunch of bunk.
They’ve just traded in the older tired set of conventions for a new one.
I did not mean to change this into a board about children’s ministry. I was using that as an example. Point being that Shaw’s saying that we need to submit to church leadership [at least that's what I'm understanding].
So if you’ve a gift for music, and you play guitar in a church that plays organ and piano. Either learn organ and piano, or play guitar at another church. But, don’t expect the church to change for you.
Shawn..am I following your basic idea here, or did my ADD take over and I’ve completely misunderstood?
Jud,
The Bible is clear, with the same measure you use to judge, you will be judged. Matthew 7:1-6.
Prayerfully, God can help you get over yourself, your pride, your bitterness, your fears and find Him and the freedom that Christ came to bring us. The joy of God is an awesome thing and there is much more than you have found. Church is not perfect. It was not perfect in the first century, it is not now. But, THE church is the bride of Christ. And the church is the vehicle that God chose to bring His news to the world. And if we will love one another and not judge, then THE church will be built by Christ thru us and the gates of hell will not prevail.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Sounds like you have a pretty cool SP
Shane,
I’m not looking for a perfect church, I’m all about reform. Funny thing is that the CGM and the seeker movement was born in movie theaters and school auditoriums with young pastors QUICK to take humorous (and sometimes not so humorous) jabs at the older established hemmoraging churches around town. Now the scrutiny comes to their doorstep. It’s simply getting time for “next”. Paul warns believers against a another Gospel. I have been hearing for sometime now a Gospel being preached that is devoid of repentance and Godly sorrow. I have watched online some of the fastest growing churches in America present a la carte truths without calling for repentance, then leading hundreds of people in a meaningless prayer.
The formula for Church Growth can not the creativity of presenting people the idol of a god that looks like them.
Jud
You’re throwing around a lot of generic suppositions. Just because a church is trying to be relevant, doesn’t mean that they are changing the Gospel or watering it down.
I used to hold that perspective until I started listening to what some of these mega-church pastors were teaching. Now, like I said in a previous post, I am a member of a small church in a rural setting, so I am not saying this as a “Seacoaster”, but i think you should give these guys a listen.
Greg Surrat, week in and week out, brings the Gospel in a fresh way. My pastor once said that he could get to Jesus from a mud puddle. In other words, no matter where the conversation starts the point is to get back to Jesus Christ and If you give it a fair listen, you’ll find that that is what is most impressive about the emerging church culture.
I’m not big on labels and denomination, as a matter of fact the only lablel i really care to have is Christ follower. That means riling the establishment at times.
Lest we all become Pharisees
never said one thing about relevance. The Gospel is the center of relevance though… not the whims of culture.
To all who want to advance the kingdom and not just argue:
“I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.”
Jud
I agree, i think, with your last statement and would like to add this thought: As culture changes we (Christ followers) must change the way that we deliver the message. I’m sure that most people agree with me on that. I’m sure that we all have seen (and probably been a part of) a ministry that messed up. But that’s not a reason to through the baby out with that bath water, so to speak.
At the end of it all though, we must be in submission to the authority of a pastor of a local church body in which you are an active member. That is where true FREEDOM can be found.
Awesome post…disturbing truth because my motives are always somewhat twisted. As the “lead guy” at our church I just want to say thanks Shawn…I’m mourning the fact that I’m not cool.
Will, we are not too far from each other here, I believe. Yes, I agree that we can and certainly must change the way we deliver the message of the Gospel situationally. I’m glad Shawn pointed out originally that we can’t let our creativity alter the message. Spot on. I’m with you there. Having said that I have been a part of several churches that began by preaching the Gospel then there was a slow erosion under the guise of relevant delivery to a place where, as I said before it got to the point of a la carte spirituality. Help yourself to self help. Life change without the theme of Repentance and Godly sorrow which were almost never mentioned.