A couple of quotes from a post by Bob Kauflin on a presentation he gave entitled: “The Functional Limits of Creativity: How Innovative Can We Be with the Gospel?” It predominantly deals with Kauflin’s main area of leading worship, which is music, but the general principles are sound.
It can be helpful to think of creativity like water. When water is confined by household pipes, river banks, and ocean shorelines, it’s a blessing. When it moves beyond those limits, it can wreak havoc.
In the church, creativity is not something we do, but a way we do something. To pursue creativity without concern for its function in the church confines us to always pursuing originality and newness, oblivious to the observation of Eccles. 1:9 that there is nothing new under the sun.
The success of our meetings is not ultimately dependent on something creative we do (new lighting, layout, arrangements) but something God has already done. Creativity must not usurp the gospel of grace. God can use our creativity, but He doesn’t need it.
Pursuing Creativity in a Way that Magnifies Christ.
Know and treasure the immeasurable riches of grace found in Christ.
Value truth over tunes and Christ over creativity.
Trust the power of the proclaimed gospel.
Recognize that creative sometimes means old, simple, and familiar.
Cultivate and expose yourself to creative thinking communities.
Value the sound of the congregation over the sound of any instruments.
Regularly examine the short and long term fruit of your music.
Never stop asking questions.
Read the whole post, which contains a link to Kauflin’s talk notes.
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