To all re:Fresh members – ten of us attended the Daybreak Infusion Conference in Grand Rapids Michigan last week. The theme of the conference was “Fizz – Carbonate Your Ministry”. It was an awesome time of coming togther as a team as all areas of our ministry were represented on this trip. The following is a lengthy overview of the “front burner” thoughts and impressions that are on my heart and mind.
“The Christian is the one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars”, “Imagination is a holy and godly tool” – these comments followed their opening run that included an Austin Powers look and sound, coordinated lights, graphics and set design. Music included “Shining Star” by Earth Wind and Fire performed with a music video, the Austin Powers theme music and a countdown video
Mark Courtney’s first talk which followed the above and included the above comments: their were four main points and a wrap up
1 – Group Fizz – artists of various disciplines working together vs apart
• Artists working alone in their discipline doesn’t accomplish much
• When this happens it kills imagination
Group Power – working together = amazing results!
• They work together via the tools of
- A Concept Team (works with Pastor for big picture ideas of a series and services)
- A Creative Team (team of creative specialists that flesh out the artistic details of theme, music, look and feel, etc – can be with or without the Pastor
- A Program Team (team that implements the production details that flow out of the Creative Team meeting – the various team leaders (music, drama, graphic design and video, set and light design, set building, etc.) lead their teams in the coming together of the final product.
- Ministry Teams – our musicians, actors, presenters, technicians, etc. in our services
- Eval team – probably the team leaders and the pastor
• Define Your Domain – What is your philosophy, style, beliefs and processes?
2 Organic Invention – How we are structured to produce creative and effective results – At Daybreak they work in an “organic” way with regular emails, text messages and phone conversations as the implementation phase unfolds. Their timeline is as follows
• “Inspiration” (concept and creative steps which include music arrangements, pre-records, script writing and rehearsals, creations of graphics and videos, light and set design, etc) 30 – 7 days out
• “Assembly” (the coming together of the elements) 5-7 days out
• “Execution” – 5-0 days out – final rehearsals, cues, etc.
• “Evaluation” – 1-3 days after
3 – Multi-Sensory Experiences – these work with both worship experience elements and thought/heart provoking elements to lead to transformational moments in the hearts and minds of those in attendance
Don’t apologize for displaying your skill (with humility of course) on stage – the teams should demonstrate love for God and each other
Visual media is king
• Use human elements and form
• Use the power of scripture – shown in metaphorical ways (avoid broadcast styles)
• Focus on color, shape and form
• Use visuals that speak to the soul
• Avoid overuse of effects and fluff – our art has and end goal in mind – ie using moving lights to create a moment rather the to show them off – this doesn’t mean we won’t sometimes use them in a “showy” way (example “A Christmas Tale” or Daybreak Church’s “Austin Powers” segment
• Develop creative and stylistic unity – ‘nuff said
4 – Creating a Macro Perspective – This is about vulnerability and discipline – translating the personal journey into a creative expression – in other words the hard work that leads to amazing moments that engage the heart and soul. We must continually ask was there a transformational moment (or moments) in our service
Wrap-up
If we are to realize “transformational moments” then this entire process begins with our own private and public spiritual lives
• Are we loving God more than our art?
• Are we loving people more than our art?
• We share the common “human condition” with our fellow Christ followers and the lost if our expressions are wrapped in God’s love the right thoughts and feelings will be evoked in our services.
In closing we must continue to love God and each other (both Christ followers and the lost). In our passion to reach the lost we must be willing to meet them where they are – on common ground. Somebody expressed at the conference (Craig Gross?) this concept: be open to using any artistic tool that will reach the lost so long as it isn’t immoral or ungodly.
We want CSC to be a safe place where people can find Christ.
Shalom,
Dave
