Creativity is a vital component of a thriving church community. It fuels innovation, fosters engagement, and enables ministries to communicate their message to a diverse audience effectively. However, creating creativity within a church environment requires intentional effort and supportive leadership.
I’ve worked with creative teams for over 38 years, in churches, secular businesses, and contract teams. It’s not easy when creativity and personalities conflict and misalign but it can be done. Let’s explore ten practical HR (Human Resources) tips that church administrators and HR directors need to create and manage creative teams effectively.
Remember that only 52% of people asked believe they’re creative. Because of that, it’s difficult to build creative teams. And if you currently have creative people on church staff, you want to do the difficult work and keep them!
Here are the 10 HR tips with practical to-dos and examples of how each tip can be done:
1. Embrace Diversity
Encourage diversity not only in demographics but also in perspectives, experiences, and skills within your creative team. Embrace the unique talents and backgrounds of each member, recognizing that diversity is the cornerstone of creativity and innovation. Encourage individuals to bring their whole selves to the table, celebrating their distinct gifts and contributions.
Practical Tip: The diversity of requirements for creativity in the church often takes the path of media (happens on and around the stage), communication (promotion that happens away from the building), and PR (Public Relations; that helps shape the voice of the leadership). And the diversity of talents often will take 3 paths: writing, design, and video production. Ensure all of these are developed!
Example: The creative team at Sample Church includes members from various age groups, ethnicities, and professions. This diversity allows them to develop worship experiences, outreach initiatives, and communication strategies that resonate with the diverse demographics of their congregation. By embracing diversity, they ensure that their ministry remains relevant and inclusive to all members of their community.
2. Create a Safe Space
Establish an environment where team members feel safe to express themselves authentically and take creative risks. Cultivate a culture of trust and respect, where ideas are valued and mistakes are viewed as opportunities for growth. Encourage open communication and constructive feedback, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and creativity.
Practical Tip: Implement regular brainstorming sessions or creative workshops where team members can freely explore ideas without fear of judgment.
Example: The creative team at Sample Church holds weekly “Idea Cafes” where team members gather to share and brainstorm new ideas for upcoming projects and initiatives. During these sessions, all ideas are considered valid, and team members are encouraged to build upon each other’s contributions. This safe and inclusive environment has led to the development of innovative worship experiences, community events, and outreach programs that have made a significant impact on their congregation and community.
3. Provide Clear Direction
Offer clear goals and objectives for each project while allowing flexibility for creative interpretation and expression. Break down the creative process into manageable stages (Explorer, Artist, Judge, Warrior), providing guidance and support at each step. Define roles and responsibilities within the team to ensure clarity and accountability.
Practical Tip: Develop project briefs or creative briefs outlining project objectives, target audience, and key deliverables to guide the creative process effectively. Frustration happens when the direction is changed partway through the creative process.
Example: The creative team at Sample Church receives a detailed project brief for each new initiative, outlining the project’s objectives, target audience, key messaging, and desired outcomes. This provides the team with a clear understanding of the project scope and expectations while allowing them the creative freedom to explore different approaches and ideas. As a result, the team consistently delivers high-quality and innovative work that aligns with the church’s thread, mission, and values.
4. Encourage Collaboration
Promote teamwork and collaboration to harness the collective creativity of the team. Encourage cross-functional collaboration by bringing together individuals with diverse skills and expertise. Foster a collaborative mindset where ideas are shared, refined, and implemented collectively.
Practical Tip: Create collaborative workspaces or online platforms where team members can share ideas, collaborate on projects, and provide feedback in real time. Only one person on the creative team? Consider volunteers to broaden the scope. Remember, solo ideas aren’t usually the best ideas.
Example: The creative team at Sample Church regularly collaborates on projects and initiatives that require input from multiple departments. For instance, when planning a community outreach event, the worship team collaborates with the communications team to develop promotional materials and social media campaigns, while the outreach team coordinates logistics and volunteer recruitment. This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of the event are aligned and cohesive, resulting in a more effective and impactful outreach effort.
5. Offer Resources and Support
Equip your creative team with the tools, training, and support they need to thrive creatively. Invest in professional development opportunities, workshops, conferences, and training programs to enhance skills and knowledge. Provide access to cutting-edge technology and resources to facilitate their creative ideas!
Practical Tip: Establish a budget for creative projects and initiatives, allocating resources effectively to support the needs of the team.
Example: The creative team at Sample Church has access to a variety of resources and support systems to help them succeed. The church provides funding for professional development opportunities, such as conferences and workshops, where team members can learn new skills and techniques. Additionally, the church has invested in state-of-the-art technology and equipment to facilitate the creative process, including video production tools, graphic design software, and recording studios. With these resources and support systems in place, the creative team is inspirational and wants to stay in their role.
6. Lead by Example
Demonstrate a commitment to creativity and innovation in your church’s leadership style. Encourage risk-taking, experimentation, and out-of-the-box thinking by leading through example. Create a culture of continuous learning and improvement, where leaders and team members alike are encouraged to push the boundaries of creativity. Are you really willing to be creative?
Practical Tip: Get your Pastor to share their own creative process and experiences with the team, highlighting successes, challenges, and lessons learned along the way. And get input for improvement!
Example: The leadership team at Sample Church is led by Pastor Pat, who is known for an innovative approach to ministry. He/she regularly encourages the creative team to think outside the box and explore new ideas, even if they seem unconventional or risky. As a result, the creative team feels empowered to take creative risks and innovate in their ministry efforts.
7. Listen Actively
Practice active listening and value the input and ideas of all team members. Create opportunities for open dialogue and communication, where team members feel heard and respected. Encourage individuals to express their ideas creatively, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. This grows the uncomfortable skill of the creative presentation that’s required for the Warrior process.
Practical Tip: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with team members to solicit feedback, address concerns, and brainstorm new ideas collaboratively.
Example: The leadership team at Sample Church practices active listening as a core principle of their leadership philosophy. They regularly hold listening sessions with their creative team members, where team members are invited to present ideas, concerns, and feedback in a safe and supportive environment. These listening sessions provide valuable insights into the needs and priorities of the creative team, helping the leadership team make informed decisions and course corrections as needed.
8. Provide Feedback
Offer constructive feedback and affirming praise to help your team grow and improve. Be positive with the main goals in mind. Always create an environment of ministry development. Feedback should always be viewed as a catalyst for growth.
Practical Tip: Implement a feedback system or performance review process (with kindness and encouragement built-in) that allows for regular feedback and assessment of individual and team performance. For skills, and creative projects.
Example: The leadership team at Sample Church regularly provides feedback to their creative team members to help them grow and improve in their work. They use a combination of formal performance reviews and informal check-ins to provide feedback on individual and team performance, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for growth.
9. Celebrate Successes
Recognize and celebrate the achievements and creative contributions of your team. Also, create opportunities for team members to share their successes with the broader church community, inspiring others and fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment. Encourage creative discipleship to help build volunteers and future employees.
Practical Tip: Host regular recognition events or times in the church service to celebrate creative achievements and milestones within the church’s creative team.
Example: The leadership team at Sample Church makes a point of celebrating the successes and achievements of their creative team members regularly. They also host quarterly recognition events where team members are publicly acknowledged and rewarded for their contributions to the church’s ministry efforts. Additionally, they use social media and other communication channels to highlight and showcase the creative work of their team members, while highlighting creative opportunities for volunteers.
10. Empower Creativity
Empower your team to take ownership of ideas and projects, fostering a sense of ownership and pride. Provide autonomy and flexibility for individuals (even side hustles) to pursue their creative passions and interests, encouraging experimentation and innovation.
Practical Tip: Encourage team members to explore new ideas and initiatives outside of their core responsibilities, allowing them to pursue projects that align with their interests and strengths. Remember that creatives get bored easily with similar projects. Side hustles can help them enjoy their job more!
Example: The leadership team at Sample Church empowers their creative team members to take ownership of their ideas and projects from conception to execution. They encourage team members to pursue their creative passions and interests, providing them with the resources, support, and encouragement they need to succeed.
By implementing these practical HR tips, church administrators, creative leaders, and HR directors can create an environment where creativity thrives. Together, let’s unleash the full potential of creativity in our shared mission and ministry. Creativity will attract and keep people in your church for the sake of the Gospel!
