At VOUS, we say that our church is staff led and Servant Leader run. In every space, we are championed by passionate Servant Leaders, paving a way with excellence and spreading the message of Jesus. We are a tapestry of testimonies, stories of life change, molded together to tell the ultimate story — the good news.
From our operations teams to worship to creative, we couldn’t do it without the investment of every single “yes.” Each person who decides to bring their talents and gifts to the altar. Those that time and time again say “use me Lord.”
So what is our part when it comes to the stewardship and growth of these teams? As leaders, staff, and overseers, of our Servant Leader teams it is more important than ever to prioritize the rhythm and reason of our space. Today, I’d like to share one perspective from the area I get the honor of being a part of — Creative.
There’s an interesting relationship between structure and creativity. I once heard it said that structure might seem like a barrier to creativity, but it’s actually structure and boundaries that allow for creative freedom. Like a river and its riverbanks, the two work in tandem. The riverbank gives the river direction and purpose, while the river keeps the riverbank from becoming too rigid. Having structure gives our creativity freedom to move in the proper direction, while creativity brings movement and life.
We’ve built structure into our creative department across six different teams. Our Servant Leader teams mirror our staff positions. Ideally, all of our Servant Leader teams have two team leads and a staff oversight. Servant Leaders can choose from which team they want to serve on, and most teams require no prior experience — we believe everyone is designed to be creative, and anyone can discover and utilize their creative gifts. Each team has a different creative expression that works in collaboration with the others to curate an experience and spread the message of Jesus.
Design
This team weaves shape, color, texture, and text into graphic designs that serve a function and stand alone as individual expressions of collective creativity. This is one of our only creative teams requiring an application to join.
The application allows our staff oversights to gauge the skill level and familiarity of oncoming Servant Leaders in the specific Adobe design programs leveraged.
Social Media
Through Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, this team forms a digital expression of the in-person experience of our church. They help share the story of Jesus to those following us online.
Photo
This team of photographers, editors, and photo curators skillfully capture our weekend services, Crew meetups, and special events, expressing their point of view through scheduled shoots and creative assignments.
Communications
This team communicates key information to targeted audiences through multimedia content, articles, stories, direct marketing, and advertising. In addition they work to shape guiding language for sermon collections, Crew discussions, and other language of VOUS.
Web
This team of web designers and developers creates opportunities for online connection within our community and with those beyond our four walls.
Film
This area sits as its own department with designated staff and Servant Leader teams. However, collaborates frequently with all the above teams listed on a weekend and weekday basis.
This team of directors, producers, videographers, and editors capture and communicate stories through the power of film on a wide array of projects in varied settings.
Creativity is more than what we see — it helps propel the mission and message forward. If you’re looking to start a Servant Leader team in your creative space, I would encourage you with these three thoughts.
- Keep the “why” at the forefront.
More than what we create, it is who we create for. We create from a space of security and identity in whose we are. We create with the belief that our creativity embodies the divine creator we serve, with a unified purpose — that our expression of faith would point people towards a God who loves them and wants to be in relationship with them.
- Get to know people’s gifts.
God has gifted each of us differently. We bring our experiences, backgrounds, talents, and knowledge to the table. Creativity and comparison are two words we aim to never string together. As we plant our creativity in community we aim to elevate each other’s gifts while celebrating and honoring the unique attributes God has allowed each of us to steward.
- Teach the creative process.
The creative process is part of having structure within your creative department. Having systems and processes in place allows creativity the freedom to exist within the right boundaries — we can be more creative when we understand our creative process. When everyone on your team is on the same page about timelines, deliverables, the creative brief, approved art direction, marketing and goals, target audience, etc. you are able to move with direction and clarity towards your vision.
As you embark on your next creative endeavor and build or continue building your creative teams I am praying wisdom and direction for you. May you continue to create from a place of rest and relationship with our creator.
