What's the reason for this blog?

I have been working in Youth Ministry for about seven years now. My particular ministry requires being creative if I want to keep the young people I work with engaged. I’m constantly seeking to connect faith with their culture in ways that will stick with them as they go out into the world. I have found myself continually reading up on ways to stir up the creative juices both in myself and in those I work with. In the past seven years, I have discovered more techniques and have learned more about how we come up with ideas than I ever thought I would. I see this process of creativity as the Holy Spirit working in me, bringing to life the Spirit’s ideas through my ministry. These techniques help me think outside the box (isn’t that how Jesus was thought to think) so that I can hear the Spirit.

Which of us hasn’t sat in on a meeting where nothing new was discussed and instead people just went around the table sharing reports rather than seeking feedback? When we feel that our opinions are not valued in these meetings, we find ourselves staring at the clock wondering when this torture will end. Imagine what these meetings look like if instead everyone was excited about seeking new ways to improve their ministries. Our church would look very different.

There are many ministries that are dying because they’re outdated and lack creativity. My fear is that in avoiding creativity and blocking the Spirit, our churches become lifeless. The people in our congregations need to be engaged. They need to know that the body of Christ is a living body in which they are a part of. They need to hear how their faith is something that does not end when their hand hits the church door on the way out but rather something that they must live.

Being open to creativity can allow us to solve problems in our ministries. Maybe we feel that people are losing interest or that we’re not speaking on the topics that really matter to the lives of those we are ministering to. Creativity invites us to look at things through new eyes. Sometimes the simplest technique can invite a whole new perspective for us.

This blog has been on my heart for some time. I’ve spent so much time trying to understand creativity and have benefited from it but now I feel that it’s time to share what I’ve learned with others. How can we apply these techniques that many thriving business use to make millions of dollars so that we can turn millions of souls to Christ? So I plan to share with you what I have learned and what I continue to learn. I hope that you will find what I have here to help you in your own ministry.

May the Creative Spirit stir within you.