| The Discipline of Creativity
Creativity is unique in that it is desired by almost everyone, yet once unleashed it is summarily rejected by almost everyone. Ideas are like porcupines--they are interesting to look at, but people are wary about getting their hands around them. This stems from a perception of creativity as basically an undisciplined process--it has its own rules, and they're not the rules we use every day. The desire to have an answer, or to try something new, is not the same as the desire to actually do something different.
What is needed is some degree of "creative discipline." What are the checks and balances that keep the creative process from overwhelming or undermining the core ministry?
The discipline of purpose. The first "check" for any idea is whether or not it is consistent with the overall purpose of the church. As you weigh an idea's merit against your purpose, you are determining if the idea is in alignment with why your ministry exists.
When using the discipline or purpose, remember that your purpose is not a flexible benchmark. Specific project goals are flexible, but a purpose is foundational. An idea can meet a goal, but still not be consistent with a central purpose.
Any idea we consider is first evaluated as to whether or not it is consistent with our statement of purpose. Some truly great ideas will simply not find their way into our ministries because they do not meet this vital criteria.
The discipline of practicality. Beyond purpose, an idea must also be practical. "Dreaming big" is important during the brainstorming process, and often yields ideas that are monumental in their scope. Practicality is something that many people consider during the brainstorming process, suggesting ideas that are "doable." Evaluating an idea eventually leads to the question, "Can it be done?" Sometimes the answer is no. Budget constraints, manpower needs, time factors are practical concerns that must be addressed. In these cases, avoid getting stuck in the "if only we had..." rut. Creativity is in part about making the most of what you have to work with. Get beyond what you simply cannot do and concentrate on what you can.
Sometimes the answer is that part of an idea can be made into reality while other aspects are beyond reach. This is often the case in our brainstorming times, where a grand vision yields four or five smaller ideas that are real possibilities. You may also discover ways to build that grand vision over time--it may not happen this month or this year, but the idea itself can be realized through several steps or phases versus one big leap.
The discipline of potential. Evaluating an idea's promise--what the possible positive effect may be--is difficult and often very subjective. "If this idea is successful, will it be worth it?" is something the business world asks routinely of any venture. The answer is put in terms of profit potential or return on investment. In a ministry environment, it is rare to honestly consider the potential of an idea in anything close to these terms. You have probably heard the standard answer to this question, "If just one life is changed, then yes, it was worth it."
That's absolutely true. And while we should never discount or diminish the "eternal potential" of a ministry idea, we do need to consider if an idea is keeping with the good stewardship of resources. Is the idea taking us into unknown territory? Is the idea breaking with convention in a way that will affect us down the road? Does the idea have the potential to create other unforeseen consequences? Or to put it another way, do we have the stomach to ask ourselves, "Is this worth the risk?"
Another potential to consider is what can be learned from the idea. Will using the idea tell you something you don't already know? Sometimes the only way to evaluate whether a ministry really meets a need, or a program speaks to an audience, is to try it. Learning something from a failed idea is often just as important as learning something from a successful idea. When evaluating potential, also consider the educational benefit.
The myth of process. If an idea is consistent with your purpose, practically executable, and holds positive potential, there is one roadblock that often gets in the way of bringing it to life--the process. An idea may meet all the key criteria, but simply not be in keeping with how your church does things. Again there is a stereotypical response associated with process that I am sure you've heard--"We just don't do it that way," or "We don't do that here." An offshoot of that is the phrase, "That will never work here."
Original ideas may break with conventional thinking. I don't believe that process is a discipline to be followed absolutely. If process is the only area where an idea is meeting resistance then congratulations--you've found something new and workable. It's easy to argue in support of an idea that stands against "the way we do it here" when the purpose, practicality and potential are clear.
The very foundation of creativity is generating something new or different. Even if you like what you are doing right now, and it is successful, don't discount the importance of creativity. You won't like it forever and it likely won't be effective forever. Always be looking for ways to change in order to improve, evolve and become more effective. If you don't like change or feel that the ideas generated are always "out there," it is the discipline of creativity that will help you keep your dreams in the clouds while at the same time keeping your feet on solid ground.
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