The origin story sets the ground rules for the story of the life that follows. Sometimes, though, the story’s caretakers lose sight of the origin. Rediscovering and knowing your origin story in a deep way provides a key to understanding your identity.
My 2017 Church Creative Goals
I work as a church creative director. A lot of people ask me what that means. To give you a glimpse, here is a list of organizational goals for my creative team and I for 2017.
Information Alone Isn’t Enough
Some people call this the age of Big Data. We’re swimming in data. But if there’s one thing the information age has taught us, it’s that information alone isn’t enough.
Five Approaches to Discover Your Creative Brand
Figuring out your brand can be a challenge. Here’s a set of questions to help you discover your brand, also known as what burns in you.
A Brand is What Makes You Burn
A good brand is not calculated. It is simply the ability to clearly communicate what burns inside you. Here’s my definition of a brand, with a stunning example.
The Five Steps of My Communication Strategy
My simple five-part checklist that will help you deliver your message more effectively. This model is what I use every day when making strategic decisions.
Help the Message Make the Journey
In church we’re taught about the power of the Holy Spirit when we share a message. In seminary we’re taught about the importance of theological integrity when we share a message. What we’re not taught, and what we desperately need, is a deeper understanding of the influence of our communication – our language, symbols, and signs – when we share a message.
Top 25 Fastest Growing Large United Methodist Churches, 2017 Edition
How do churches grow? The best way to know this question may be to look very closely at churches that are growing the best. Learning from other good ideas, or what’s called “Small I” innovation, can help. But in my annual list of the top 25 fastest growing churches, most don’t just practice Small I – they pursue Big I innovation, which is something totally different.
5 Rules for Work: What it Takes to Get More Creative
Coming up with creative ideas isn’t magical. It’s a skill to develop. Some people have been working on it for a long time, like TV Producer Shonda Rhimes. Here, she highlights 5 quick tips for creative productivity in the middle of a busy life.
3 Examples How Unique Weekly Art Makes A Sermon More Compelling
Many churches that preach in sermon series create a single brand image for the duration, which is often six-eight weeks. I prefer to give each series a family of unique images, one per week, all related to the core theme. I describe it to people as the weekly work of art. Here are three examples.
How to Get People to Care About Your Good Content
All good content needs a strong concept. Good concepts spin off dozens of themes. They’re also necessary to get people to care about your good content. And if people don’t care, why do you do it?
By Dropping the Cow, Has Chick-Fil-A Jumped the Shark?
Chick-FIl-A just announced they’re dropping the agency that made the cows. I hope they didn’t just jump the shark, because the new ads sell a different brand promise.