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JUSTIFICATION

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There’s a debate raging at the moment on the subject of creativity. On one side you have the mega-church pastors and artists deploring that which has been done before – exalting the ideal of originality. Lets call them “the innovators.” On the other end of the spectrum you have the not-so-resourced, not-so-artistic pastors and leaders who often recycle most of the creative media and music that is consumed at their gatherings. Lets call them “the recyclers.” Both make valid points, but somewhere in the midst of this debate I believe we can find a healthy third way.

"The innovators" who refuse to use something that has been used somewhere else are being unrealistic, particularly when, as Tim Stevens notes, they have staff, money and volunteer resources at their disposal. On the other hand, most of "the recyclers" find themselves in small churches with shoestring budgets and no staff, feeling guilty for using something that’s been done before. Despite this, repeatedly copying music, media and program is, admittedly, not the most desirable way for a ministry to function.

I agree that you can be innovative without being original; it is often impossible to create something entirely novel, unless it’s a form of fine art. Many argue that we have deified originality, that we have an unwarranted obsession with it, and that 'effectiveness,' rather than 'originality' or 'innovation' ought to be our mission and directive. Well, I believe that’s true – but only to an extent. Creativity is within itself an end, rather than a means to an end. My fear is that we have almost commodified creativity and transformed it into an advertising machine, producing promo videos, websites and flyers. These have the tendency to limit us from appreciating its intrinsic value.

Being creative doesn’t always mean that something needs to be produced. Sure, that’s always an outcome, and we often apply that creativity to things like media, but that’s only part of the story. Being creative is an offering of worship to God. It is an expression of the unique gifts that God has entrusted you with. It plays out in the way you interact with others, its as simple as just ‘being yourself.’ Its breaking free of any moulds or expectations and living according to how our creative God uniquely and individually crafted you.

You see, what happens so often in our communities of faith; is that we imitate. This is not about a lack of resources or time; it’s driven by fear and the overwhelming desire to please. We are afraid to do something differently. “It worked at that great big mega-church, so it has to work for us.” It’s rare that I walk into a modern, contemporary church and see something different. The songs are the same, the sermons are the same (even down to the use of words), and the fashion, and even hairstyles are consistently imitated. It is sometimes uncanny.

Conformity is something we must avoid. Fashion is a perfect example. What you see on the runway is unique, but fashion ceases to exist when it becomes conformity. In church life, we look too often at experience and culture to form our communities of faith, rather than creating something that is a unique expression of the individuals that make up the diverse body that is our church. Resourced or not, each church has the ability to create a unique environment based not on conformity and imitation, but on the celebration of authenticity and individuality. This is true creativity.

If we begin to think about creativity and originality in these terms, tapping into these sources becomes more accessible. I believe we are thinking too narrowly when we start to talk about creativity in the church, just in the same way that we have redefined the complex and multifaceted nature of worship within the narrow confines of music. You don’t necessarily need cool videos and a great website to engender a creative church community, all you need is people willing to break free of conformity and imitation and try something different; a true and honest expression of a unique faith community.