Criteria for selecting creative team members

[DesertPastor]

The first "creative team" we put together to work on service themes and teaching presentations was only partially effective. I'd really like to put a more effective team together this time around and would love to benefit from what others have learned about selecting people for a creative team.

What advice can you pass along?

[Len Wilson]

Without "naming names" can you give us some more detail about the types of skills present on the first team that didn't work? What was missing?

Also, as you're thinking about that, have you seen our article on roles? This may be helpful.

[DesertPastor]

well...after reading the article on roles (very helpful, btw), I'm wondering if we're even remotely close to being able to put together a workable team right now. I guess some of the roles (e.g. producer, writer, creative director, etc) could be combined, or will that not work?

Our past team profile: 1) creative person with a knack for visual presentation (props, etc). 2) a poet (really creative, but too shy). 3) a creative visionary (awesome with visual arts and creating texts). 4) the fairly creative teacher-guy (me). 5) an older, advant garde thinker. 6) our worship leader (who lacked ability as worship arts director, but who occasionally had great ideas.

[Len Wilson]

Absolutely they're combinable. If that's a word. They're roles not people. Most teams in fact do combine. Sounds like you need some left-brainers on the team.

[Gene]

Two other types to consider adding into the mix: "average" congregants and people with a strong scriptural and spiritual background.

Someone who's not brought in necessarily for being creative, having a strong scriptural background, being part of the worship team, etc. may have a more practical view of what metaphors and imagery will connect with people. It's all well and good if the design team comes up with an idea they all think is great and well implemented, but if the average congregant doesn't "get it", then it was all for naught.

People with a strong scriptural and spiritual background may think of connections to other parts of the Bible or other people's writings about the passages in question that may strengthen the ideas the team comes up with, or may lead to a new idea that works better.

[Imperial Spatula]

I can't stress the need to pray for people to enter the group.

Pray for guidance as you seek people to serve in the group.

Pray for clarity in that God will give you the ability to see strengths in new people you meet.

And pray that above all, God is honored through your efforts. The sooner you get out God's way, the quicker he can move and do his thing. =)

[[Admin] skstarkiller]

We recently added a "newer believer" to our team. She has brought some great insight on how we can connect with people without being too churchy and irrellevant.

[[Admin] osborn4]

Originally Posted by skstarkiller

We recently added a "newer believer" to our team. She has brought some great insight on how we can connect with people without being too churchy and irrellevant.

I think that's real important. It's so easy to get caught up in big, fat, churchy words that we need someone to point those out so we can either avoid them or explain them.

[rev_65]

We have a good mix on our team generationally as well. We have boomers, busters, and one bridger (21-) and hoping to add a senior high teen. Even with a congregation of mostly 40- we have enough older folks -- who also unfortunately hold large purse strings and like to remind you of it -- that need to included in the mix also.