Dean Cothill

Tag: creativity in church

  • How to start a Local Church Media Team

    How to start a Local Church Media Team

    Even though we are aware of the significant impact social media can have on church growth, it can be challenging to find the time to keep up a strong social presence for your ministry (especially since you probably already have a long list of other tasks on your to-do list). How are these other churches managing to do this? Budget conversations aside, it all really comes down to ONE THING.


    Simply put: teamwork. How does the saying go? Team work makes the dream work?


    Putting together, organizing, and managing a team can be the solution to your problems! You are probably surrounded by a lot of eager workers, from teenagers who are more adept at Instagram and TikTok than you are to seniors who have finally mastered Facebook.


    Here are 5 suggestions for creating the ideal social media team:

    1. Simplify the process

    It could be challenging to recruit volunteers if your standard start-to-finish process for creating content, publishing it, and tracking engagement involves 14 different editing suites and tools, apps, and platforms. Making things simple for them will ultimately make things simple for you.

    Use a scheduling tool that enables a volunteer to publish to three social media accounts simultaneously, such as Hootsuite, Planoly or Later. Create as many posts as you can at once rather than one at a time, if at all possible. Without compromising brand integrity, simplifying the procedure can prevent a lot of misunderstandings between you and your volunteers.

    2. Start with the people you already have

    If you work for a large church and don’t know everyone, it is crucial to build your team around people you can trust. You are essentially giving this team control over certain facets of your church’s brand, which is a major responsibility. Making a cold appeal for volunteers can make it challenging to distinguish between wise decision-making and passionate but irresponsible engagement.

    Team work makes the dream work

    It’s much better to start with 2 or 3 people who you already respect and who you know have the best interests of the church at heart. You will be able to communicate effectively and have faith in their commitment as a result. By enlisting unidentified individuals, you run the risk of a volunteer shirking their duties without warning.

    3. Gather around A Table together (with food and coffee obviously)

    Get your (social) media team together in one place as frequently as you can. The camera guys, the designers, the video and switchers, you name it. Start small. Get them in a room and eat some good food. You may get to know each other by sharing meals and playing games, which will ultimately result in improved teamwork. Ask someone to invite a friend who has a camera, or someone who has got the hand of the latest TikTok trend and be open to learning a few things in that world. We really do have teenagers who can do more with their phones these days than entire media teams at some agencies.

    Work together and brainstorm ideas on a regular basis to let everyone’s own brilliance emerge. Make sure everyone feels important and that their views are taken into consideration as the leader. By reading articles together or watching videos, you can both learn more about best practices and current trends and raise your skill level. As a group, discuss areas that could use improvement and work through issues.

    The most crucial thing is to assign duties for the future week or month. It is your duty as the leader to make your expectations clear so that everyone knows what they are responsible for.

    4. Start really really small, NO, smaller.

    Make assignments simple for your team to complete, at least at first. Start with something simple because you probably aren’t working with highly skilled marketing experts.

    Example: I’ve actually done this

    Ask your photographer to get 5 images on Sunday. That’s all 5. 1 of the volunteers, one at kids church, one of the worship, one of the preacher and one in the coffee shop afterwards. That’s all. Edit them. Use them, and go from there.

    Give positive feedback when they finish a task. If necessary, correct the person. By communicating this way, they will learn your expectations and standards and enhance their communication abilities.

    5. Be brave, call out and ask for skilled professionals to help

    There’s a good chance that you don’t even realize how many creative people are present in your auditorium (or online broadcast) on any given Sunday. Find qualified experts or brilliant amateurs in your community of faith by using social media, announcement opportunities, and networking. Visual artists, photographers, and graphic designers can significantly improve a company’s social media presence. Find a local Digital Expert and ask for some of their rime to come sit with a few volunteers and inspire them. Ask, and you shall receive.


    When will you discover these artistic geniuses? Don’t consider them to be routine. Give them creative flexibility, distribute the work, and maintain open lines of communication. Dream with them. Give them space to create. This is a new world, a digital space that makes sense to some people, they just get it. Trust them and build with them. Believe me, it’ll be worth it. The very last thing you want to do is exploit volunteers and give them the impression that their value is solely in their service. Make them part of the team, the photographers and the musicians and the coffee shop crew and the kids church team. All together.

    Let’s stay in touch

    Grace and peace

    Dean

  • The Content Creation Process Made easy

    The Content Creation Process Made easy

    If you’re reading this, chances are you’re someone who is interested in creating content – whether it be for a blog, social media, or any other platform. And if you’re like me, you may have found the process of coming up with ideas, organizing them, and then actually putting them into words or pictures or video or music, to be a bit overwhelming at times, especially when there is a deadline at hand. New Years. Christmas. Easter and everyone in-between.

    But fear not, my friend, because I am here to tell you that the content creation process doesn’t have to be so daunting. In fact, it can be downright enjoyable (yes, you read that right). ENJOYABLE!

    Over the years, I have learned a thing or two about how to make the process of creating content more manageable, and I am excited to share those tips with you today.

    First and foremost, it’s important to remember that the content creation process is just that – a process. It’s not something that happens overnight and it’s not something that you should try to rush through. Instead, try to embrace the journey and enjoy the ride.

    Are you feeling overwhelmed by the thought of creating content? Maybe you’re not sure where to start or what steps to take. If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with the content creation process, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

    In this blog post, I’m going to break down the content creation process into three simple steps. By following these steps, you’ll be able to easily plan, create, and publish your content with confidence.

    So, if you’re ready to streamline your content creation process and start creating amazing content, keep reading. I’ll guide you through each step and provide tips and tricks along the way.

    What are the 3 steps of the Content Creation Process?

    • Creative
    • Content
    • Communications Platforms
    The Content Creation process by Dean Cothill

    On the one hand this is a chronological process but its also so important to look back and keep the flow going…

    1. The Creative

    So whether it’s a new ad campaign or sermon series, or new ideation project of any kind, this is where the magic happens.

    In the creative space, there are no rules. Yes you heard me, no rules. No dream is too big, no idea is too crazy. This is creation in it purest form. Dream. Go Big. Get food and coffee for everyone. Get your favourite snacks and get the team in a beautiful place and come up with every idea under the sun.

    Put it all on the wall. Every idea. Every single one.

    The beauty of the creative process lies in its unpredictable nature. It is a journey of self-discovery, filled with twists and turns, highs and lows. It is a process that requires us to let go of our need for control and surrender to the unknown. It is in this surrender that we are able to tap into our true potential and create something truly beautiful and authentic. The creative process is a dance between the conscious and unconscious mind, a collaboration between the logical and the intuitive. It is a process that allows us to connect with our deepest desires and bring them to life. It is a journey that teaches us to trust ourselves and our vision, and to have faith in the unknown. In short, the creative process is a breathtaking, wondrous adventure that has the power to transform us and the world around us.

    2. The Content

    • Graphics
    • Photos
    • Videos
    • Graphic Design
    • Interior Design
    • Copy

    Here is where the method meets the madness. In the Creation Narrative in the book of Genesis we see that The Spirit hovers over the water and brings order to the chaos, the earth is formless and void. We can all the ideas in the world but if they aren’t ordered and structured, they will just remain ideas.

    So you and your team have a CREATIVE LIST now, you then choose and grab the best ones that line up with what you guys wanna do, now the question is, how do you communicate those ideas to the world? Video maybe? Some still images? Blog posts? Each creative idea must find a “vessel”.

    3. The Communications Platforms

    Here quite simply, videos go to particular places (Social media platforms). Words go to particular places. Graphics also go somewhere else. If the team has decided that video is the medium that will be used, here are some questions then. As a team you guys have settled on which social media platforms you guys wanna and need to be on. You can read more here.

    • How long is the video?
    • Do we make one long video and break it down into smaller shorter content pieces? Can we :screen grab” images from the video?
    • Can we use the audio from the video for other platforms?
    • Will we shoot is 16×9 or rather look at specifics for short form video platforms?
    • Do we then take that video and grab still from it for social media posts?
    • How does the video then define the narrative for our copy and blogposts?
    • What goes on YouTube and what goes on IG or TikTok?
    • From the copy and voice overs we have created, how many tweets can we get?

    All these questions inform our content creation funnel…

    Content Creation Funnel by Dean Cothill

    Here as we go down the funnel, the prices of content “become smaller” and the platforms for the communication process also changes. Audio goes here and video goes there, still go there and copy goes here. Here we will use various forms and make sure they work well together on that specific platform, like your blog or website. The “look and feel” of the video can be used for stage and interior design layouts. All the pieces of the puzzle slowly start to fit together.

    So you have actually only created “1 piece of content”, a 3 minute video, but it informs everything else about the project and actually makes our lives much easier down the road.

    In a nutshell – a content creation funnel is the creation and circulation of helpful content – blogs, social media posts, videos, newsletters – to current and prospective visitors and guests! (See image 1)

    Other tips include to keep a running list of ideas. This could be a physical notebook, a document on your computer, or even just a list on your phone. Whenever an idea pops into your head, jot it down. This way, when it comes time to actually sit down and create content, you’ll have a wealth of ideas to choose from.

    Finally, don’t be afraid to get brave and have fun with the process. Content creation should be an expression of your thoughts, ideas, and personality. Don’t worry about perfection or trying to please “everyone” – just focus on creating something that is authentic and true to you and your team.

    So there you have it – a few tips to help make the content creation process a little easier and a lot more enjoyable. I hope they inspire you to embrace your creativity and start creating the content you’ve always dreamed of. Happy creating!

    Much love

    Dean

  • How to Develop a Weekly Creative and Communications Rhythm in your teams

    How to Develop a Weekly Creative and Communications Rhythm in your teams

    Have you ever found yourself feeling overwhelmed with all the tasks and responsibilities you have on your plate? Or have you ever noticed that you tend to procrastinate on certain tasks and projects, leading to last minute rushes and less than optimal results? If so, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. But there is a solution that can help you save time, increase productivity, and build momentum for your organization: developing routines and habits. We all know how it goes, new ideas, new vision boards, new decor and stage elements and at a crazy pace.

    In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the benefits of establishing routines and habits, as well as providing tips on how to create and maintain them. By implementing these strategies, you’ll be able to streamline your daily tasks and make progress on your long-term goals with greater ease and efficiency. So if you’re ready to take control of your time and boost your productivity, keep reading!

    This is a no-brainer for some things.

    Think about the chaos that would ensue if every week, your church had to ask everyone if they could come to worship on Sunday and what time would work best for them. Based on the responses, the leaders would then decide on a time and let everyone know. Can you imagine the extra work that would involve? And the uncertainty of not knowing when you should show up would likely lead to inconsistent attendance. Instead, churches establish a routine of meeting at the same time(s) every week until further notice. This allows people to easily incorporate the weekly gathering into their schedules. So, by having a consistent routine, everyone benefits!

    This same principle can be applied to almost all church communications.

    Save time and energy by deciding on a weekly communication routine and sticking to it. This can include what goes on your website, what you post to social media, and what emails you send out. This way, you won’t have to make these decisions every week. Having a consistent routine will help you stay organized and keep your communication channels running smoothly. Make sure that you and your team are on the same page from the get-go.

    Not only will a weekly communication routine help you stay organized and keep your communication channels running smoothly, it can also improve your church’s search engine optimization (SEO). This means that your website will rank higher in search results, bringing more visitors to your site. This is because search engines love fresh content, and the more consistent you are in producing and sharing it, the more people will see and share it. So, by developing a routine for your communication efforts, you can benefit both your internal organization and your online presence.

    5 Things to Include in Your Weekly Creative Communications Rhythm

    Every church is different. The resources, staff, volunteers and types of communication that work best for each church will vary. But somehow we all keep get the same message of DO MORE DO MORE! Slow down, take a deep breath and set it all out before you. It would be impossible to create a weekly communications rhythm that would work for every church. Instead, I’m going to propose some options or ideas to consider and build on for yourself and or your team. None of this is fool proof, we can only plan so much and we can only be so proactive, but I hope this helps…

    1) The Message

    I recommend sharing audio, video, notes, resources, and action steps from your weekend message as soon as possible after the gathering. Ideally, this can be done on Sunday afternoon if you’re crazy enough, I remember editing photos and videos during the sermon to get stories and visuals out before the end of the service, I was crazy enough to try test myself to see if I can finish editing and then still get to the front of the stage to pray for people, but Monday morning works too.

    It’s best to create a separate post or article for each week’s message (instead of adding to an existing page). This way, you can easily share the post on your social channels and make it easier for people to find and access. By sharing this content, you’ll be able to engage with your community and provide valuable resources for them to continue learning and growing.

    2) Newsletter

    It’s important to keep your community informed about what’s happening at your church. We recommend sharing news and announcements on your website and via email. To make things easier, try doing this the day after you post your sermon to the website. That way, you can mention and link to the sermon materials in your newsletter. This will help your congregation stay in the loop and stay connected to the happenings of your church. By keeping everyone informed, you can foster a sense of community and keep your church running smoothly.

    3) Devotionals (and even groups materials)

    One way that churches can help their congregations stay focused on Jesus and the weekly theme is by writing and sharing daily devotions. Some churches do this for a short season, while others make it a regular part of their routine. You can also use devotional materials written by others. These devotionals can be shared on your website, via email, and on social media channels. This is a great way to keep your community engaged and connected, and to provide spiritual nourishment on a daily basis. Whether you write your own devotionals or use materials from others, we hope that these resources will help you grow in your faith and strengthen your connection with Jesus.

    The Bible App is an amazing tool that’ll assist you and your local church do this really well.

    4) Mid-week nugget

    If your church is not publishing daily devotions, another option would be to post something in the middle of the week to encourage, inspire or challenge your congregation. This could be:

    • A blog post by the pastors
    • A short, 1-2 minute audio or video clip from the weekend message
    • A testimonial from a member of the congregation
    • Pictures, video or story of the people of your congregation living out their faith, responses from the weekend, kids church appraisal etc.

    5) Weekend teaser

    Want to build excitement for your upcoming weekend service? A great way to do this is by posting a question related to the message on your social channels. Friday afternoon is a good time to do this, as it gives people time to think about their response and engage with the content. When crafting your question, try to make it something that is easy for people to respond to. If it’s too personal or too theological, you may not get much engagement. By asking a thought-provoking question, you can spark conversation and interest in your upcoming service.

    In conclusion, developing a weekly creative and communications rhythm can greatly benefit your church team. By establishing routines and habits, you can streamline your tasks and make progress on your long-term goals with greater ease and efficiency. Some strategies to consider include deciding on a weekly communication routine, sharing audio, video, notes, resources, and action steps from your weekend message, keeping your community informed about what’s happening at your church, writing and sharing daily devotions, and posting thought-provoking questions on social media. By implementing these strategies, you can foster a sense of community, stay organized and on track, and effectively communicate with your congregation. We hope that these tips will help you develop a weekly creative and communications rhythm that works for your church team.

  • The Joy and The Journey

    The Joy and The Journey

    The joy and the journey,

    A brand new year begun.

    Promises made in good faith,

    To be carried out, one by one.

    The road ahead is long,

    But we’ll travel it with grace.

    With hope in our hearts and fire in our soul,

    We’ll make our mark in this place.

    The future is ours to shape,

    With hard work and determination.

    We’ll turn our dreams into reality,

    No obstacle too great to overcome.

    So let us embrace the new year,

    With open arms and open hearts.

    The joy and the journey,

    A brand new start.

  • Jack loves Jill

    Jack loves Jill

    It was a beautiful autumn morning and Professor Elizabeth was standing at the front of her classroom, preparing to give her lecture on literary story telling. As she scanned the faces of her students, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. She loved teaching and there was nothing quite like the thrill of introducing her students to new ideas and helping them to develop their critical thinking story telling skills.

    “Good morning, everyone,” Professor Elizabeth began. “Today, we’re going to be discussing the theme of love in literature. I want you to think about why certain characters love one another and what that love represents. To help you get started, I’m going to ask you to write a 500-word essay on the topic of Jack loves Jill.“

    There was a murmur of excitement and confusion among the students as they grabbed their pens and notebooks, ready to take notes. Professor Elizabeth could see the wheels turning in their heads as they tried to come up with ideas for their essays.

    “Now, I know this may seem like a daunting task at first,” Professor Elizabeth continued. “But I have complete confidence in all of you. I want you to really think about why Jack loves Jill. Is it because of her physical appearance? Is it because of her personality? Is it because of the way she makes him feel? Or is it something deeper, something that goes beyond the surface level? These are the kinds of questions I want you to explore in your essays.”

    Professor Elizabeth paused for a moment to let her words sink in before continuing. “I know that some of you may be struggling to come up with ideas for your essays. So, to help you get started, I’m going to give you a few prompts to consider. First, consider the ways in which Jack and Jill’s relationship has evolved over time. Have they always been in love, or did their love grow over time? Second, think about the challenges that Jack and Jill have faced in their relationship and how they’ve overcome them. And finally, consider the role that outside influences, such as friends or family, have played in Jack and Jill’s relationship.”

    As Professor Elizabeth spoke, her students scribbled furiously in their notebooks, taking down every word she said. She could see the excitement and determination in their eyes, and it filled her with a sense of pride. She loved watching her students grow and learn, and she knew that this assignment would be a great opportunity for them to do just that.

    “I want you to take some time to think about your essays and come up with a solid outline before you start writing,” Professor Elizabeth concluded. “And remember, don’t be afraid to be creative and think outside the box. The most interesting essays are often the ones that take a unique perspective on the topic at hand. I can’t wait to read your finished essays and see what you all come up with. I want them on my desk first thing tomorrow morning…”

    With that, Professor Elizabeth dismissed her class, and the students filed out of the room, buzzing with excitement and ideas for their essays. As she gathered her things and prepared to head home for the day, Professor Elizabeth couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She knew that this assignment was going to be a challenging and rewarding one for her students, and she couldn’t wait to see what they came up with.

    The next morning student after student, came in handing paper after paper until Steven came walking slowly to the Professors desk. With most of the class seated, Steven slowly approached her desk…

    “Sorry to bother you Prof” Steven said in a gentle yet confident voice, “I know you said 500 words and this may be a little more”, and simply handed her a photograph, “but here is why Jack loves Jill…”

  • How to keep your content evolving… (Story is king…)

    How to keep your content evolving… (Story is king…)

    You have a story.

    You have a story. Your story is made up of your authentic personality and the life experiences that shape you into who you are today. It’s who you’ve been, what you’ve done, and how those experiences have affected your outlook on life – who you are as an individual. This is what makes you unique. And it’s what gives you the opportunity to connect with others on a deeper level. Your story also has a plotline – meaning that it has a beginning, middle and end. You start out as an underdog and work your way up; maybe there’s a particular event or period of time that changed the course of your life for good. But you have a story, and it’s yours and as you read, you’ll realise, ITS SO SACRED. Don’t let anyone ever stop you from telling your story, ever.

    The story of Joseph, Genesis 41

    You might be familiar with the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and sent to work in Egypt. His dream was that one day he would rise to become the second most powerful person in Egypt. And this dream came true! Joseph was able to make his dreams a reality because he planned for them, strategized how they would come true, and put policies in place to ensure their success. This is how you make your goals happen too.

    If you have a goal or objective that isn’t being reached as quickly as you’d like it to be—whether it’s making more money or getting fit—consider what steps must happen before achieving that goal? These are things like:

    • Planning out a timeline
    • Building relationships with key players
    • Getting clear on what success looks like (for example: number of sales made per month)

    How Joseph’s story can help you today

    Joseph’s story is the story of a man who was in prison, but he was not broken. He learned to use his time in prison to create a vision for the future and to begin changing things around him. Joseph inspired others by telling them about his dreams, which eventually became their reality as well.

    It is the story of a man who was able to use his creativity to bring about change in himself and others around him.

    Step 1. Your content must evolve – from theory to practive, from dream to the plan

    You must evolve your content from theory to practise.

    Your creativity must also evolve from a dream to a plan.

    Dreams grow as plants grow. The bigger the plant gets the bigger the pot will eventually need to be. Make sure your dreams have big pots. Plan for big pots, and dream for even bigger fields and plots.

    Once you dream it, you have to make it happen. Your creativity must evolve from a dream into a plan.

    This is the next step in taking your content strategy from good to great:

    • Dream BIG about what you want your social media presence to look like and feel like. What kind of content do you want to share? On what platforms? With whom? Etc.
    • Create a plan for how you’re going to achieve that vision. That could mean creating new graphics, videos or other assets; setting up processes for scheduling posts; hiring writers and designers; learning how-to’s on new software tools like Gif Maker (a free tool provided by Facebook) – whatever it takes! Do what you gotta do. Design what you gotta design. Like these windows. Just do it.

    Step 2 like Joseph, put a policy in place that connects your content and creativity with your genuine leadership purpose.

    • You know what you stand for, but do others? What’s the message of your organization? How do you want to be seen in the world? Without having an existential crisis, lol, WHO ARE YOU?

    There’s that beautiful moment where PO gets asked, WHO ARE YOU?

    Kai:
    Who are you?

    Po:
    I’ve been asking myself that question. Am I the son of a panda? The son of a goose? A student? A teacher? I’m all of those things. [Po’s chi forms the shape of a dragon around him] I am the Dragon Warrior! Get it? You see the giant dragon?

    • To answer these questions, define what’s important to you (or business) and create a mission statement or vision statement that communicates it. Also make sure all your friends and family (and employees) understand how their work fits into this plan. They’ll be more committed when they understand how their contributions contribute value to the overall outcome—and so will customers and partners!

    Step 3. You are ready to lead creatively and authentically, leading with a relational heart.

    Leading with your story is the most authentic way to lead in a world of digital distraction. Your story is real and true—not manufactured or curated. Your lived experience and absolutely who you are. TAKE A DEEP BREATHE HERE.

    You will need to ask yourself some tough questions: What are my values? What do I believe in? Why am I here? How do I want people to feel when they interact with me? When you know what matters most to you, then you can begin sharing it through words, images and videos that reflect who you really are even as they attract like-minded peers who resonate with your authenticity.

    Leading with purpose is another important element for becoming an influencer. There’s no point in being creative if there’s no clear reason for doing so beyond ‘because.’ Think about the purpose behind everything that makes sense for your brand or organization before jumping into content creation mode: Why does this matter? Who cares about this issue (or cause)? How will this help someone else?”

    Authentic and creative leaders lead with THEIR stories, not other people’s

    Authentic and creative leaders lead with their stories.

    Relational leaders lead with their stories.

    Story is king (and queen).

    I want to highlight. “Our stories are sacred” is a phrase that highlights the idea that our personal stories, experiences, and histories are valuable and important. It suggests that our stories are not only meaningful to us as individuals, but also hold a deeper significance and value.

    As individuals, our stories are incredibly valuable and important. They are the foundation of our identity, the source of our strength and resilience, and the way we connect with others. Our stories are the threads that weave together the tapestry of our lives, giving shape and meaning to our experiences.

    When we share our stories with others, we open ourselves up to vulnerability and connection. We invite others to see us for who we truly are and to witness the struggles and triumphs that have shaped us. This can be a deeply transformative and healing experience, as it allows us to feel seen, heard, and understood.

    Let us remember that our stories are sacred and hold them close and cherish them. And let us also have the courage to share them with others, knowing that in doing so, we are honoring ourselves and the human experience that we all share.

    So, how do you lead creatively and authentically as a leader? It’s simple. You tell your story – the story that motivates you to action. Then, you connect this story with the creativity needed to build a plan for your organization that is aligned with your true leadership purpose. The result is an innovative strategy that reflects your values (and those of those around you).

    Please mail me, dean@deancothill.co.za and I would love to chat and share stories…

    Grace and peace

    Dean

  • What are some things that are preventing Church Growth at the moment and what could help? (Part 1 of 2)

    What are some things that are preventing Church Growth at the moment and what could help? (Part 1 of 2)

    There are many factors that can affect church growth. Here are nine potential issues that may be preventing church growth:

    1. Lack of a clear vision or mission: If a church doesn’t have a clear sense of its purpose or direction, it may be difficult to attract and retain members.
    2. Lack of outreach or evangelism: If a church is not actively reaching out to the community and sharing its message, it may struggle to attract new members.
    3. Poor communication: If a church is not effectively communicating with its members and the wider community, it may be difficult for people to understand and connect with its mission and vision.
    4. Limited resources: A church with limited resources may struggle to effectively minister to its members and attract new ones.
    5. Ineffective leadership: Poor leadership can demoralize church members and make it difficult for the church to move forward.
    6. Disunity among members: Disagreements and conflicts within a church can create a negative atmosphere and discourage people from joining or staying involved.
    7. Lack of relevance: If a church is not addressing the needs and concerns of its community, it may struggle to attract and retain members.
    8. Competition with other churches: In some areas, there may be a lot of competition among churches for members, which can make it difficult for any one church to grow.
    9. Negative reputation: If a church has a negative reputation in the community, it may be difficult to attract new members.

    Now here is where Creativity AND Innovation come in…

    But first a Bible story…

    For 3 points, who was the first person in the Bible to receive the Holy Spirit? It was a young man by the name of Bezelel. Bezalel possessed such great wisdom that he could combine those letters of the alphabet with which heaven and earth were created; this being the meaning of the statement (Exodus 31:3): “I have filled him … with wisdom and knowledge,” which were the implements by means of which God created the world, as stated in Proverbs 3:19, 20. By virtue of his profound wisdom, Bezalel succeeded in erecting a sanctuary which seemed a fit abiding-place for God, who is so exalted in time and space (Exodus R. 34:1; Numbers 12:3). The candlestick of the sanctuary was of so complicated a nature that Moses could not comprehend it, although God twice showed him a heavenly model; but when he described it to Bezalel, the latter understood immediately, and made it at once; whereupon Moses expressed his admiration for the quick wisdom of Bezalel, saying again that he must have been “in the shadow of God” (Hebrew, “beẓel El”) when the heavenly models were shown him (Numbers 15:10). Bezalel is said to have been at least thirteen years of age when he accomplished his great work (Sanhedrin 69b); he owed his wisdom to the merits of pious parents; his grandfather being Hur and his great-grandmother Miriam, he was thus a grandnephew of Moses (Exodus R. 48:3, 4).

    INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY. The same Spirit that was at the beginning of creation, is the same Spirit that is placed in Bezelel and is the same spirit that is in each of us. (RUACH-ELOHIM – if you’d like to Google a little)

    So what does this mean for church leadership?

    Innovation and creativity are important in church leadership for several reasons:

    1. To keep the church relevant and engaging: Innovative and creative approaches can help the church stay relevant and engaging in a rapidly changing world. This can help the church attract new members and keep current members engaged and invested in the church’s mission.
    2. To adapt to changing circumstances: Innovation and creativity can help the church adapt to changing circumstances, such as the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This might include finding new ways to connect with members and deliver services, or developing new programs and initiatives to meet the needs of the community.
    3. To better serve the community: By thinking creatively and innovatively, church leaders can identify new ways to serve the community and meet the changing needs of those around them. This might include developing new outreach programs, partnering with other organizations, or finding new ways to address social issues.
    4. To foster spiritual growth: Creativity and innovation can help church leaders find new ways to engage and inspire members, which can lead to deeper spiritual growth and connection to the church.
    5. To attract new members: By embracing innovation and creativity, the church can become a more attractive and welcoming place for new members, particularly younger people who may be looking for a fresh, relevant approach to faith.
    6. To foster collaboration and teamwork: Innovation and creativity often involve collaboration and teamwork, which can help church leaders build stronger relationships with one another and work more effectively as a team.
    7. To inspire and motivate: Creativity and innovation can inspire and motivate church leaders and members alike, leading to greater energy and enthusiasm for the church’s mission.
    8. To better use resources: Innovation and creativity can help church leaders find more efficient and effective ways to use resources, such as time, money, and personnel, leading to a more impactful and sustainable ministry.
    9. To stay true to the church’s mission: By embracing innovation and creativity, church leaders can stay true to the church’s mission and values while also adapting to changing circumstances and the needs of the community.

    See soon soon for part 2…

    Grace and peace

    Dean