"Where Did you Get That"

I led a conference Thursday evening at Abbott Baptist Church in Mansfield, Arkansas for the Convention where I spoke to Pastors on the topic was "Where Did You Get That." 

WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?

Illustrate - Illustrate means to make clear or to tell a story using drawings, pictures, examples or comparisons. (verb)

 An example of illustrate is to give an example. yourdictionary.com

Creativity - Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.

(page 396, Human Motivation, 3rd ed., by Robert E. Franken) 

Creativity in illustrations…

·        Reflects the character of God as Creator

·        Models the kind of powerful teaching Jesus used

·        Engages the heart and mind together

·        Connects

·        Enhances retention

BIG IDEA: Creativity in illustrating a message is NOT a skill or character trait – but a discipline. 

“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.”  Oscar Wilde

Simple forms of creativity:

·        Change your typical outline format (expositive to topical, use an acrostic, do not alliterate) 

·        Change your delivery method (do not use the pulpit or use one, sit down, change clothes)

·        Use a simple prop

·        Give a take home

·        Place an image or prop on stage to create mood or illustrate a theme (mannequin dressed in the armor of God)

·        Create templates   i.e. LEAD, PRAY, LIFE

·        Use repeated “logos”, i.e. “Adrianisms”

Discipline for “Creating” Illustrations

1. You must have “lead time” for creativity so you must have messages outlined in advance (not necessarily a manuscript).

2. Schedule time to be creative. It must be a scheduled discipline or you will not do it. It does NOT have to be hours or steal all of your time.

·        Set aside the time

·        Have a place

·        Keep a “crock pot” – do not lose ideas, keeps the creative “flow”

  

3. Focus on creating:

·        Create environment

·        Reading list that stirs creativity

·        Tools, i.e. inductive Bible Study method (repetitive concepts)

  

4. Set a goal to hold yourself accountable:

·        Illustrate 1 point in a message

·        Change sermon presentation in the next 3 weeks

·        Do a 4 week series with a theme 

Elements You can Illustrate:

·        Theme for a series

·        Theme for a message – Jesus tree, It all goes back in the box

·        A key point in the message

·        Use to show the big idea

·        Provide a “take home”

·        Cause action as a step of faith – come forward, nail it to the cross, write praises on the wall

Where Do I find Creative Illustrations? 

·        Things you know about – sports, hunting/fishing, World War 2, sailing

·        Various readings selected for creativity – Biblical Archaeology, Answers in Genesis, Popular Mechanics, World Magazine

·        Take advantage of things going on – Olympics, iPods, iPads, GPS, world series, Christmas, opening of deer/duck season, super hero movies 

·        Take advantage of a published series – Bible App (allows time to work on the illustration since substance provided)

·        PLAGIARIZE!

·        Watch churches online

·        Share with other pastors – tonight even!

·        Authors you enjoy, Lucado, Ortberg

·        Creative people in your church

Some Books:

The Power of Multi-sensory Preaching and Teaching  by Rick Blackwood

The Creative Leader  by Ed Young, Jr.

Color Outside the Lines  by Howard Hendricks

Made to Stick (Why some ideas survive and others die)  Chip Heath & Dan Heath