1. Design Provides a New Perspective
It doesn’t matter what type of church you find yourself in, we all have the potential to fall into weekly routines of presenting the message in the same way, using the same words built around the same structure. The danger is that we run the risk of unintentionally communicating that we have nothing new to say. Design helps us breakout of these traps and provides a way of presenting the timeless message in new ways.
Just like clothing stores will regularly change product placement to encourage returning shoppers to brows, continual design and redesign keeps things interesting, new, worth browsing and taking notice. It helps communicate to your community that you have something worth hearing.
2. Design Breaks Down Barriers
The constant challenge we face as Christian Creatives is to communicate an old message to a new, and often disinterested audience – at least that’s what it feels like at times. Creativity is the vehicle that breaks down barriers. Whether it’s right or not, many people will judge the church without ever setting foot in it.
Sociologist say we have less than .30sec to make a first impression – before anyone can ‘see your heart’ or learn what you’re all about – they judge you and your message based on what they see. And whether we like it not, their perception is their reality. A well-executed design can speak volumes to bring someone in who won’t give you a chance otherwise by breaking down some of barriers they have built up about church.
3. Design Communicates Beyond Words
Design and art has the power to enhance the teaching by connecting in ways words alone cannot, giving the message an even greater impact and longevity. A well crafted image, prop, song or visual carries the ability to connect to our emotions and move us to a place of response.
4. Design is a Vehicle for Innovation
As Christian Creatives, we are all called to manage the resources we have been entrusted with and are challenged to allocate those resources the best way possible to achieve the highest impact and greatest results. This pursuit often forces us to be innovative in achieving the desired results – design then becomes the vehicle to see that come to life.
During our first stage reno, the lack of resources required innovation. Instead of spending $3000 to purchase a projection screen, we designed ones out of coroplast for a fraction of the cost. This design allowed us to achieve the desired results while staying within budget. The freedom to dream and design becomes the vehicle for innovation and new ideas.
5. Design Matters to God
Art and design matters in ministry because it matters to God, who designed and crafted us in his likeness. By suppressing the expression of design in our ministries, we are suppressing and missing the very attribute of God that makes us unique amongst ourselves.
The more we design and create, the more the Creator is revealed through us. As Christian artists, designers and illustrators, design becomes our megaphone to make known the ways and attributes of God within our individual communities.
