I
think it's important to state at this point that I do not claim to have the
corner on the creative market. Like anyone, I'm a perpetual student of creativity.
But over the years, I have learned some very valuable principles that have helped
develop my own creativity in ministry. These may seem like very basic principles
to you, but my intent is present the bottom-line of communicating age-old truth
for a modern audience.
Be
You
I
love the slogan in the Dr. Pepper soft drink ads, "Be you, do what you
do, Dr. Pepper." That could also be an ad campaign for creativity in the
church, "Be you, do what you do, creativity." The first and most basic
rule of creative communication is to be you. I know that seems like such a simple
statement, but it's one that I have to repeat every time I address this subject.
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We
are all creative; God has gifted us each with our own unique brand of creativity.
So don't try to be someone or something you're not. Work on developing and sharpening
the personality and skill set that God has given you and only you.
Too
many pastors and leaders try to change who or what they are when they speak.
But I don't believe you should go through some kind of metamorphosis or transformation
when you hit the stage or stand up before a group of people. People can best
respond and connect with you when you present the genuine you. So just be the
person God designed you to be.
Study
Others
Being
yourself does not mean that you can't learn from others. You can always find
new ways to communicate. Studying other speakers, listening to different techniques,
and adopting new styles from others are effective ways to ramp up your creative
quotient. But the key is, as you are learning from other speakers, to build
your own identity and style.
I
don't care how hard I try, I cannot speak like Andy Stanley. I'm not Andy. I
can't be Erwin McManus or Rob Bell. You cannot be me, and I cannot be you. I
do, however, think that we can all learn from each other about how to best communicate
the truth in creative and compelling ways.
People
have asked me over the years, "Who do you study, where do you study, who
do you read, where do you get your stuff from, etc?" And I'll tell them
that the first several years, especially, in my ministry, I relied heavily on
material from other communicators. I don't do that as much now as I used to
— I have come to trust my own voice and style more — but I continue to get input
and ideas from other speakers around the country.
In
fact, because I believe so strongly in the power of shared ideas, Fellowship
Church has brought together a strong community of pastors called Fellowship
Connection. Through Fellowship Connection and its companion Web site creativepastors.com,
we are able to share what we have learned with a new generation of pastors and
leaders.