(The script below is a transcript of the video above.)
Hello friends, in my last video, we discussed "4 ways to help lead a creative," and today, we're going to flip the script and talk about four ways you as a creative can help serve your Leader/Pastor.
1. Be patient
Everyone's creative process and understanding of the creative process is different. As a creative person, one of our jobs is to help develop the vision alongside our leader/pastor. In that process, it can be challenging to understand what the ask is; that's why patients is such an important part of the process. Don't allow yourself to get frustrated and do what you can to alleviate the obstacles that may cause confusion. I referenced this in the last video, but one way to do this is by asking questions. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Questions lead to a clear path of understanding.
2. Be flexible
Being flexible is an interesting middle ground. Creative arts in Ministry needs to be led with a clear direction with deadlines, and expectations but at the same time, it also needs to be very fluid. Remeber, what you create is an extension of what is being communicated by your leader or Pastor. It can be a graphic for a series, a video element in a service, whatever it may be, you are helping communicate the gospel! At the end of the day, if your leader or Pastor says we need to shift or make changes, then you shift or make changes. This can be tricky because what you don't want is to be in a culture that lives by last-minute changes. We need to understand that being flexible is the exception, not the rule. You make acceptions in moments, but you can't allow yourself to be taken advantage of through a last-minute culture. Again, this helps with clear communication. You will help alleviate those frustrations if you are clearly communicating to your Leader/Pastor parameters. Does your Leader/Pastor know your schedule?
3. Give options or drafts
In the process of creating, one of the best things that I have discovered is presenting drafts to my Leader/Pastor. When I create graphics for instance, I like to present at least two or three options with different styles. From there, we can either come to a conclusion or at least find the right path to take the edits. It helps narrow the options. The same can be said with video, web design, or whatever element you are creating. It comes back to including them in the creative process. Show them what you are working on in the process, not just towards the deadline. It will save you a lot of time and frustration.
4. Take the initiative
When your Leader/Pastor is talking about any vision or decision that is being made, go out of your way to ask, how I can help. What can I do to help carry or communicate this vision. When we as a team begin talking about events or a new series, my mind is already down the road. They're thinking about the big picture of a puzzle; I'm thinking about the pieces. I'm thinking about promotion, social, web, video, photography, graphics. I'm thinking about the pieces that will help carry the big picture. As I think about those things, I'm asking questions like, "Is this something that needs to be promoted, do we want a recap, do we want mailers, do we want... You get the picture.
The whole idea is to get ahead of the game as much as you possibly can at the moment, rather than getting an email two weeks leading up to the deadline. If need be, request a separate meeting to discuss the creative elements that will only set you up for success.
FOLLOW ME HERE:
Comments