I was sitting alone in a Chinese food restaurant the other day and a thought came to me after listening in on a conversation going on in the booth beside me. Now, I’m not exactly sure why, but unique things seem to happen to me while I eat alone at Chinese food restaurants. Maybe it’s because my ear is tuned more attentively to the people around me. Or maybe it’s the MSG. I’m still not quite sure.

This particular time I was zoned in on a group of four guys – no doubt a group of pastors – and my religious sense began to tingle. Not only was this evident by the outspoken meal prayer but also how they spent most of their time deliberating college sports and Mark Driscoll’s authoritative disposition – despite, of course, his Calvinistic position.

Maybe there is something wrong with me, I don’t know, but I enjoy listening in on other people’s conversations, especially when it pertains to religion or Christianity or Mark Driscoll’s disposition. Don’t judge me. These pastors had my ear. And when their conversation turned toward the creative aspect of ministry, I became even more alert – particularly when they all agreed that “Holy Bowl” would be a superb name for next season’s Super Bowl bash.

I’m sorry but I just don’t see a bunch of beer-drinkin’, rough-housin’, chip-chompin’ group of rowdy men wanting to come to your church for a “Holy Bowl” party – simply not going to happen. But, contrary to what you might think, I don’t blame these pastors. Really, I don’t. I’ve mentioned before that I believe people in ministry, especially lead pastors, need to stick to their gifts and try their hardest not to be the “creative lead pastor,” especially if creativity isn’t on their list of giftings.

I’ve met very few pastors who have the gift of visual creativity and even fewer with the ability to resign their personal preferences at the hands of a creative professional. Truly, the latter is a gift all in itself.

As I sat there, eavesdropping, I had this great epiphany. Maybe it wasn’t that grand. Maybe it wasn’t anything new. But it sounded moderately profound at the time, so I began to mentally note some thoughts concerning pastors developing, or rather surrendering to, an individual or group of creative persons for the growth and betterment of the church.

Thought #1
It’s a lead pastor’s responsibility to guard himself against the temptation of becoming an end-all. Sometimes, and quite frequently in regards to creativity, his opinion is not the most beneficial for the direction of the church. I’m sure I will receive some flack for this statement but, in my humble opinion, the pastor is responsible for leading and, equally, releasing the congregation to use the spiritual and physical gifts God has given them. If he is leading the church in a positive direction, talented and professional individuals will come out of the woodwork, making themselves available, and freely lend their talents and assist in directing the church in new and innovative ways.

Thought #2
The lead pastor should, though it might prove quite difficult for the majority, remove himself from various aspects of the creative direction of the church, but not to the point of separation. I believe the pastor should give spiritual direction as well as emphasize the direction God is leading him to teach, and then release those individuals, through prayer and accountability, to create a welcoming visual atmosphere for the church.

These aspects might seem challenging, particularly to those who pastor smaller churches, but if you are willing to let go of your natural draw to authoritarianism for a brief moment, I am confident you will see a dramatic increase in the creative direction and interaction of your church body. So, please, do yourself and the church a favor and be creative with your giftings as a leader and let that lead to a new level of creativity within the body of your church.