My #ahamoment-Fueling Creativity

Dave Grohl’s documentary Sound City was originally intended to pay tribute to the unique sound board at one of his favorite studios.  Instead, the movie became about the process of making music.  It showcased how the creative process of making music has changed through available technology.  Although the movie shared a decidedly negative view of what technology has done to music, they interesting also showcased Trent Reznor, the musician behind Nine Inch Nails.  Reznor is known for his creative use of technology to create unique music.  Even beyond his work in Nine Inch Nails, Reznor’s recent work with Atticus Ross scoring films has won his an Oscar.  Reznor differentiated himself from others than use technology today.  As he sees it, many others use technology as a crutch to make up for a lack of skill or creativity.  Reznor, on the other hand, is a classically trained pianist.  That classical training feeds his creativity.  His use of technology is almost an afterthought; the creativity comes from the hours of practice learning musical theory.

The interview reminded me of a class I took as an undergrad at Ohio University.  In my Management and Strategic Leadership program (impressive sounding, right?), we were required to take a class on managing and leading creativity.  I do not recall thinking much about the class, but one item sticks out in my mind.  As part of a class assignment, I interviewed someone in the music industry.  She told me that most think that creativity is the result of a sudden intuitive moment, but that is foolish.  Creativity is the result of hours of hard work and preparation.  What might seem like a sudden intuition to the outside was actually the result of hours of learning new tools, practicing new techniques, and experimenting new combinations.  It may seem like creative people just invent ideas out of thin air, but those that are creative for a living realize that creativity is hard work.

This brings me to my #ahamoment.  A few months ago, there was some unexpected shifting in the schedule at the church.  A sermon and worship series we had planned for spring had to be moved to fall.  The fall series could not be moved to spring.  Given its location in the midst of other planning, this was really the perfect time for some creative and unique series—something catchy fun.  It was last minute, but certainly I could invent a fun, five-week series.  And I had…nothing.  Absolutely nothing.

You see, after seminary, no one forces you to constantly study.  What you read, how you grow, how you learn is completely up to you.  You are responsible for your own growth.  It’s not that I stopped reading after seminary; please do not misunderstand me.  In fact, I was learning and studying just as much after graduation.  But I came to a two month period when I focused solely on the things at hand.  I was reading for practical issues we had at the church.  I spent my time on projects that were urgent, if not necessarily important.  And then, when it came time for creativity, I had nothing.

Thankfully, I pulled something together; it all worked out.  But my #ahamoment, my moment of realization, centered around the way I learn and grow going forward.  I always have to be learning and growing more.  I always must be reaching out into something new and different, even if it does not seem relevant at the time.  Because that growth, that reaching out, that experiencing something new, is what fuels creativity.

There are a variety of ways to do this.  I occasionally help teach at my seminary; that forces me to be reading new books and consuming new resources.  I plan my preaching out months (if not a year)in advance, and use that opportunity to explore new books or concepts.  Occasionally, I will covenant with another friend or colleague to read a book or resource together, and then talk it through.  Find what works for you.

So, if my #ahamoment may be instructional for other young pastors, my advice is this:  protect a small part of your schedule for something new.  We all have churches that demand a great deal of our time.  We all have Conference and District obligations that demand a lot.  None of us has a lack for things to do.  But do not let the immediate clog your schedule entirely.  Take some time to constantly be exploring something new.  Because out of that newness, your creativity is born.