A Guide to Pastoral Care, Sustainable Growth, and Discipleship on the creative team

Caring For Creatives

Let me begin by saying that I am tired of seeing burned-out creatives walk away from the church, burying their God-given gifts due to a lack of care, discipleship, and spiritual formation. That includes, but not limited to worship leaders, musicians, graphic design, camera operators and everyone on a creative team. I am equally tired of seeing the gifts and abilities of church creatives become merely a means to an end for churches, who seem willing to overlook collaboration, sustainable creative growth, and soul care. This is the essence of this article. Over the years, I've observed and endured the cultural shifts in creative climates and how the church engages with these changes.

The frantic scramble as churches mobilized creatives to go digital because of a global pandemic may have seemed like a sudden pressure-cooker moment for church creatives, but let's be brutally honest: the stress on these creatives existed long before COVID-19 entered our vocabulary. The attractional church model—which I am not criticizing—characterized by grand displays, bright lights, numerous screens, and daily social media engagement, had already ratcheted up the pressure. COVID-19 was simply the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. These expectations also proved, in some cases, to be unrealistic. Some pastors of volunteer-only churches expected a level of creative transformation to attract the 'next generation.'

I've dedicated years to serving as a bridge between pastors and creative leaders. The gap between their contrasting approaches can often widen into vast chasms of misunderstanding, leading to burnout, disenchantment, and disillusionment.

So, what's at stake? In the vibrant mosaic of a thriving church, creatives are not merely ornamental—they are essential. They add layers of depth to our communal worship experience. So, how can churches better support their unsung heroes?

1. Recognize Their Ministry

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." - 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Each creative gift is a gift of God. It leans on the diversity within the local church and for the edification of the saints. Just as each part of the body plays a vital role, so do these creative expressions enrich the body of Christ. Recognizing and communicating the importance of what they bring to the ministry is a healthy first step for the encouragement for the creative team.

2. Create a Supportive Ecosystem

An ecosystem of honor nurtures creativity. Celebrate achievements, provide platforms for expression, and create an environment where creatives feel valued and respected. By doing so, you foster a sense of belonging and contribution. "Outdo one another in showing honor." - Romans 12:10

3. Invest in Development

We are in a leadership vacuum right now and, on a daily basis, I talk to pastors who are looking for worship leaders, creative directors, musicians and are confused about where they are. My argument continues to lean on the lack of development over the last generation of church creatives. We have burned through creatives like there was an endless supply.

An article about Amazon leaked (https://www.vox.com/recode/23170900/leaked-amazon-memo-warehouses-hiring-shortage) in thinking through the idea of running out of people to hire because amazon burns people out. They made a conscious decision to become the most efficient delivery services while burning through employees. Well, the company was in a quandary trying to figure out how they will continue to function after they literally run out of population to hire.

The church is in a similar boat now. We have burned through creatives and frustrated that they are not around. This next season, think through how to develop your middle school students, not record your worship teams next album.

4. Make Time for Discipleship and Soul Care

Provide creatives with the discipleship that we are called to do and encourage soul care, rest, and rejuvenation. Instead of just giving them a Sunday off, give them a Sunday off with a hotel stay an hour away. Invest in their rest, shepherd their soul, and support their spiritual formation process.

Recognize too that ‘identity’ is most likely going to be the thing creatives struggle with the most. We often ask ourselves WHO AM I? Creatives have so many emotional directions but that is what makes us good at our craft! It is not just singing a song, but it’s a cry of our heart. On the other hand, our identity can easily be wrapped up in what we produce, not, who we are in Christ. Creatives need to be rooted in knowing that we are deeply loved by God not for what we can produce, but in the finished work of Jesus.

5. Give Creative Autonomy with Direction

Empower your creatives with autonomy. Just as God trusted Bezalel with crafting the Tabernacle (Exodus 31), give your creatives room to bring their unique visions to life. Give creative input then give creative room. Again, this is their gift and ministry. Allow them to operate in it. On the other hand, give them realistic expectations and a general theme or idea you want to see. By way of illustration, send them to chic fil a for some chicken, not send them outside the house for some food.

6. Provide Fair Compensation

"For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,' and, 'The laborer deserves his wages.' - 1 Timothy 5:18

Honor your creatives' labor by compensating them fairly. Fair looks different in different situations. Maybe it’s not cash but equipment. Maybe it is that hotel stay I mentioned. Whatever it is, make sure you provide something for their time and talent.

7. Acknowledge Their Impact

Acknowledge their work in the ministry. Shout them out at a staff meeting, communicate that they did the sermon series graphic and you appreciate it, or just flat out say it regularly.

8. Create a Feedback Loop

Bible Verse: "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17

Engage in open communication that refines their work. As iron sharpens iron, let feedback sessions enhance their creative journey. Give what you liked and didn’t like so that next time, the chemistry is grown. It also shows them that you actually care about their work and that its important.

Conclusion

As we embrace these practices, we embody a profound principle of stewardship. Stewarding creatives means recognizing their talents' worth, nurturing their growth, and using their gifts to magnify Jesus. As leaders, we're privileged to shepherd and empower these artists for God's glory and the church's edification.

Together let’s begin a journey of good stewardship of our creatives. The artists in our midst play a pivotal role in magnifying God's grace and sharing His love through their creative expressions. Let's honor their contributions and embrace their gifts as blessings from the God Himself.

This is an excerpt of Reimagining Worship Podcast

Season 3 Episode 2 called “Caring for Creatives”

Trevor Chin

Baltimore, MD

TrevorChin.com