[Creativity] The Gospel of John in 3 minutes

Archives For Creativity

Posts related to creativity and being creative.

Designing Vintage Faith: Creative Overview

October 12, 2012 — Leave a comment

Recently, we began a new series at the church where I serve. It’s called Vintage Faith: Yesterday, Today, Forever.

Today, I’d like to offer an brief overview of the process we used to develop the look and feel of the series. And some of the other creative elements that will be a part of this series. This is probably one of the longest posts I’ve ever done, but it’s full of actual experiences.

This was the first series we’ve been intentional with in the creative process since I’ve been a part of Genesis. So, not only were we dealing with fleshing out a new process, but we had to make it work across two different campuses. This series is also the first time in four years (due to a variety of reasons) that we’ve chosen to intentionally do the same series at both campuses.

The creative process actually began after an online webinar I did through the folks at Worship Leader magazine with Stephen Brewster. Stephen is the creative arts pastor at Cross Point Community Church in Nashville, Tennessee.

If you’ve never heard Stephen talk about the creative process they use, then you need to find out about it. This post about the 3-door process he uses will give needed context. It’s a great process that opens great doors for team creativity and clarity. I started with that and adapted for this situation.

Here’s how we did it: Continue Reading…

In Creative Worship Element, Creativity

The Power of a Story

June 15, 2012 — 2 Comments

Since the beginning of time, stories have been used in many different ways.

Image used via Creative Commons from dvendr on flickr.com

To recap history and important events.

To entertain.

To cast vision of a potential future.

To make points.

To teach lessons.

In fact, Jesus extensively used stories to talk about the Kingdom of God and to teach people what it meant to be a part of it.

At some point, our culture moved away from telling stories to a more rational, didactic approach to teaching important life truths.

But it often seems a story can often accomplish more than three points can. Continue Reading…

In Creativity, Media

[Creativity] Puppets and the Bethlehemian Rhapsody

December 20, 2011 — 2 Comments

There is no lack of creative worship expressions based around the Christmas story available for us.

No matter your opinion on the longevity and continued expression of puppets, this is pretty cool.

Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody has been reworked to tell the Christmas story events and significance through this creative expression.

The musical performance is well done, and the folks doing the puppets do a good job, too. A touch campy, yet draws you in at the same time.

Take a look at this and be inspired.

How could you tell the wonder and excitement of Christmas in a fresh way with classic elements?

(Thanks, Musicademy)

In Creative Worship Element, Creativity, Media

[Creativity] Media, Poetry, & Advent

December 13, 2011 — Leave a comment

The Advent and Christmas season is in full swing.

What are you doing to creatively express the timeless story of the birth of the Messiah?

The creative folks at The Village Church in Texas have shared something they’ve done.

Using spoken word poetry, visual imagery, and music, they have sought to help communicate the reality and importance of God with us to their congregation in this Advent season.

Take a moment to watch, be inspired, and to be reminded of the significance of what we, as worship and creative leaders, have the opportunity to lead our people in remembering.

How are you using creative means to communicate truth to the congregation you serve?

Because God came to be with us, we can know the forgiveness of love of God.

(If you would like to use this in your service, information about doing so is available at their website.)

In Creativity, Media

[Creativity] The Nutcracker Played Using Bicycle Parts

December 6, 2011 — Leave a comment

For folks involved in creative/worship ministry in a church, this is a busy time of year. Even if you started early, there is still lots of planning and work that’s being done over these next few weeks.

So, how about something light, fun, and hopefully refreshing today?

As we move through the Christmas season, today’s creativity post brings you a video.

No so surprising, but this is a video of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite”…

…performed using various bicycle parts. Continue Reading…

In Creativity

[Creativity] Can You Make Sound with Cans?

November 29, 2011 — Leave a comment

That question isn’t asking what you think.

Creativity comes in many forms.

Not just in graphics, video, dance, or music, but in how those mediums are experienced and conveyed.

We’re used to the normal ways of experiencing art. By a projector or through amplifiers and speakers.

But for these folks, they decided to do something different.

So they took a bunch of empty cans that had been filled with a beverage I don’t endorse and repurposed them to make a…

…sound system. Yes, a sound system to amplify an artist’s music.

Check this out:

They took and essentially made something from nothing. Most people would see a bunch of empty cans as trash to cast aside.

But, isn’t that essentially what God did? He created a vast universe and complex world from nothing. We are created in God’s image, and part of that is the quality of creativity.

Yea, we’re not going to start creating ex nihilio, but what’s something you could create from “nothing”?

For Discussion:
Have you ever created something crazy from unexpected stuff before? What was it? Share in the comments. We would love to hear about it.

(Thanks, Churchm.ag)

In Creativity