One of the best ways to support creative people is to value the gifts they bring to the Body of Christ. Valuing those gifts means more than just asking them to volunteer. However, that is a great way to engage them. But there are other ways you can support them.

1. Pray specifically for wisdom on how to support the creative people in your congregation.

2. Survey your congregation to see who the creative people are in your church.

3. Create small groups that focus on creative people. You can also encourage creative leaders within your church to develop small groups or meet-up groups.

4. Encourage them to use their gifts outside of the local church.

5. Invite them to be a part of your strategic planning teams, sermon prep teams, and or teams that create unique experiences within the church

6. Utilize creative people and creative elements in your teaching series or sermon prep.

7. Create a focus group that gives them a chance to share ideas. God has given them the grace to develop creative ideas naturally. Rely on their expertise.

8. Hire them to do paid creative services for the church. For example, hire a vocal coach to work with your worship team, hire a visual artist to paint a mural for your kid’s wing, or book a spoken word artist or violinist to support a special event weekend like Easter.

No, you shouldn’t. Use discernment when inviting artists and other creative people to share on public platforms. Although they may be talented, they may not be spiritually mature enough to navigate the challenges and temptations that come with having a platform.

Instead, you should vet them by looking at both their craft and character. Tell them the truth. If you recognize that a creative person in your church has room to grow, communicate that as quickly as possible.

Prioritize their growth over the discomfort of the conversation. Unprepared or underdeveloped artists/creative people need to be supported and challenged. Just be sure to communicate it with love and intentionality.

Pastors and church leaders can’t do it all. That’s why it’s important to encourage the creative people in your congregation to get connected to other local ministries and organizations that focus on craft development. That could look like the following:

1. Encourage them to attend conferences for creative people. We host a yearly experience that they can attend called The Guild Conference.

2. Sponsor their attendance. Make a financial contribution to their ministry by sponsoring their attendance.

3. Partner with local art ministries/organizations to host events and workshops specifically for your congregation.

4. Partner with local art ministries/organizations to host events and workshops at your church that creative people from the local community can attend.

Challenge the creative people in your congregation to continue to grow in their personal walk with God. Healthy artistry starts with a healthy relationship with Jesus.

1. Encourage them to find, read and study Scriptures that speak to their gifts.

2. Invite them to lead Bible studies that connect the Gospel, beauty, and creativity.

3. Create a sermon series that speaks to beauty and creativity within the Bible. If you need support in crafting that series, connect with our Creative Consulting Team to help you think and pray through what that looks like for your congregation.

4. Have books and resources from other creative followers of Jesus available and on display in our bookstore.

5. Develop a creative discipleship model for your church and or work with other art ministries that already have a curriculum you can use.

PRAY! As cliché as it may sound. We know it works. Caring for the creative people in your congregation is vital. God often gives unique opportunities to creative people. They are important to God, and they should also be important to you. Here are some other practical next steps you can take:

1. Gather together. Is there an opportunity for you to host a small/informal conversation with creative people in your community? Check in with them, get their feedback, cast vision, and develop relationships.

2. Start a small group. If you already have a small group structure, then creating or encouraging the creation of a small group is a great next step.

3. Attend our conference. The Guild Conference is for creative people, but it’s also for people who love and support creative people. If you are Pastor or church leader who is attending for the first time, we have a promo code you and your church can use to attend the conference.

4. Become a church partner with us. We will continue to provide useful resources to local churches.