Comments on: Is the Creative Team Killing Good Preaching?

By: @b_rewster

@b_rewster — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:00:17 +0000

Maurilio,I am a creative. I live for creativity. You are right…creativity is the icing, not the cake. if the content is not solid, the meat of the message not in place, creative become just a show. If the content is in place, the creative can help push it over the finish line. Great post.

By: PaulB Thomas

PaulB Thomas — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:07:24 +0000

HI Maurilio. Interesting article and perspective. I think pastors have an an 'anointing' to preach that non preachers do not have. Let's not forget that preaching is supernatural ability in action, while 'talent' is natural ability in action. Take preaching away and we have entertainers and no power in the house.Creativity is a matter of gifting but should never interfere with preaching. Preaching is 'foolishness' to the unbeliever but it takes good preaching to convert those who are hard harted and unbelieving (1 Cor 1:23,35)Long live powerful preaching. Long live creativity both are needed but for two different purposes.Enjoyed your article and thanks for provoking thought.See you on TwitterPaul.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:42:16 +0000

I'd love to comment but I can't in fear that my creative team might punish me.

Pastor X

By: David Holder

David Holder — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:38:57 +0000

I just began my own creative team after reading Rick Blackwood's book on multi-sensory preaching and teaching. We've only done three messages together.

Already, I've discovered that it is possible for the tail to wag the dog. I don't want the illustrations to overwhelm the message. They are servants, not masters. I met with my team last night to tell them this.

They agreed.

I have corresponded with another pastor who also has a creative team. He told me that he has ultimate "veto power" over what goes into a sermon.

Another thought I have the on the use of creative visuals, etc., is that when I take the stage, I almost feel like an actor on a stage, as opposed to a preacher on a platform. As such, the message feels like a monologue instead of a message. I haven't found a way to address this.

I am certainly open to advice.

By: Maurilio Amorim

Maurilio Amorim — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:52:45 +0000

J,The problem of make "comfortable" Christians mad is a huge one. We all talk about reaching out to a lost world, but when it comes to put our comfort aside, we have a tough time accepting chance. My main point on this post is one of alignment. I want pastors to make sure they are preaching and using creative elements that complement their teaching style and personality and not doing some goofy stunt because someone that it would be cool.

By: Maurilio Amorim

Maurilio Amorim — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:49:23 +0000

Lawrence, I agree with you. If we're asking for help and they give us, then we should not criticize the help. And I'm a proponent of the creative team. My issue is when the creative team and their ideas supersede that of the Pastor and that this role reversal usually hurts everyone. That usually leads to teachers who are not authentic because they are asked to dress, talk or preached something they are not necessarily passionate about.I don't fault the creative teams on this one. It's usually a slow creep that happens when teaching pastors walk away from creative team meetings or don't give them enough direction to plan and execute a service.

By: Erik Reed

Erik Reed — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:41:09 +0000

Maurilio,Great thoughts. We have quickly forgotten that creativity is good and needed in the church, but you shouldn't preach a series because you have a good title or a great illustration you want to use. Ultimately, what is taught should be inspired and led by God to the speaker, then creativity should be wrapped around that — not the other way around. Good stuff…Erik

By: J. Phillips

J. Phillips — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:11:20 +0000

I think to understand the goal of what we are attempting to do is one thing and just doing something for effect is another. However, to do something with a goal in mind with effect in my opinion shows we are attempting to present our message in a way that connects with our audience. I just wish the church would attempt to be aware that if we are wanting to reach the world we may have to upset some in the church. And that "some" could be us. Just a thought. Thanks for the post! And the comments.

By: Lawrence W. Wilson

Lawrence W. Wilson — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:29:42 +0000

I think there's a sense in which you get what you ask for. The fact that we're all using some version of a "creative team" indicates that we're asking for creativity. It seems unfair to knock the creatives for delivering it.

Should we be asking for something else?

By: Lucy Grieves

Lucy Grieves — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:53:43 +0000

That explains a lot! Thank you for the post.