March 22, 2000

'The ability to bore people isn't
a gift of the Spirit,' innovator warns
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___FORT WORTH--Seeker-sensitive church leaders need to recognize creativity as "a precious gift from God, a primary tool for outreach and a pathway into the conscience of believers," according to pastor Roddy Clyde.
___"Contrary to popular opinion, the ability to bore people is neither a gift nor a fruit of the Spirit," he said.
___Clyde, pastor of The Fellowship at Forest Creek in Round Rock, led a seminar titled "From God as Guest Speaker to Mayberry RFD" in conjunction with this year's Texas Baptist Evangelism Conference.
___The seminar title was drawn from a single service at his church and a sermon series at one of the 13 new churches that The Fellowship at Forest Creek has helped launch.
___When Clyde preached a message on God as the architect of marriage, he had an actor playing the part of God interrupt his sermon and deliver a message of his own.
___"Intentional non-creativity occurs when we see creativity as trivializing God, contradicting Scripture, breaking traditions or offending Christians," Clyde said.
___"Unintentional non-creativity occurs when we see creativity as an additional responsibility in which we have neither the time, talent nor energy to invest."
___He suggested eight keys to creativity:
___ Plan ahead. The paid and volunteer staff of The Fellowship at Forest Creek meet together in a retreat each October to develop sermon themes for the year.
___ Use understandable terminology. "We need to define our terms," he said. The first impression that some secular-minded people get from phrases such as "washed in the blood" is an image from horror movies, he said. "What unchurched people hear and what we hear are two different things."
___ Incorporate other media. Use music, drama, video and computer-projected images to enhance the service. "Media underscore the one central truth of the worship service," he said.
___ Season with humor. Preachers need to learn to speak in seven-minute segments, punctuated with genuine humor, Clyde said. "No one is going to listen to you for 20, 30, 45 or 55 minutes unless you do something every seven minutes to draw them back in."
___ Follow up events. After a sermon series on parenting, plan a weekend parenting seminar. After a sermon on marriage, schedule a marriage enrichment retreat.
___ Don't reinvent the wheel. "There is nothing new. All there is is your spin on what's old," he said.
___ Advertise upcoming series. Use catchy titles and communicate them to the community outside the church.
___ Always scout for ideas. Clyde said he browses bookstores such as Barnes & Noble to find potential sermon titles. "What you call your messages will make a world of difference."

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