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Instead of trying to write something savvy and relevant this month I decided to share an entry from my worship journal. It seems to just jump right into the middle of a thought so allow me to frame it a bit contextually. I was serving as Worship Arts Pastor at a large-ish church. The worship culture was, at times, hyper-spiritual and showed a bit of passive aggressive disdain for anything that hinted toward what they called “head knowledge.” It presented some challenges for a non-conformist like me. I had to lead these folks and establish some balance without completely offending them and losing the respect of the congregation. Below is a personal attempt to sort through my thoughts regarding how I could establish and pursue a deliberately intelligent approach to worship while maintaining spiritual creativity. I hope it all makes sense to you by the end… By the way, if you are a Worship Leader and don’t keep a worship journal I would suggest starting one.

January 4, 2003
“An intelligent and marginally creative person can possibly establish, explain and theorize the complexities of a thing or topic. But, a truly creative and studied person can take the intricacies of the complicated thing and make them plain and knowable...Real and tangible. A creative person brings it to the senses. Sight…sound…taste…smell…touch…

Is it possible to be both intelligent and creative…To be intentional and spontaneous? I believe that it is not only possible but necessary. Knowledge is worthless unless it has an outlet or vehicle. A person who is filled with knowledge and hoards it for himself will soon go mad, being tormented by his own intelligence and loneliness. On the other hand, a person who seeks to share her gift of knowledge so others may take part in it will likely always be fulfilled but humble. Nothing brings more sincere humility than standing before a person or group of people who seek something from you they do not know and they hold you accountable to teach. That responsibility is a daunting shadow always cast as a reminder to be prepared and factual…Innovative and creative.

As the creative are concerned, there is nothing more disheartening than an artist of any discipline who idly waits for her inspiration to appear by providence, circumstance or fate. Where there is no study or investigation of topic or discipline I would question the art’s worth to the artist. To have some knowledge of the details of what makes a thing beautiful is to open up the recesses and processes of the creative mind. It is to find motivation in the finer things that make up the whole. It is to express the whole and not just a facet. Though one who cuts precious jewels may revel in the beauty of a raw diamond or even the first, exacting cut but he is a master at his craft when the first facet is utilized by its greatest reflective capacity to reveal a flawless sparkle.

Intelligence and creativity must relate at some point. Not to say that they will be equal parts but each lends to the other a specific usefulness that contributes to the whole.”

Reader Comments

"...Useless information to the audience." That is something that is, IMO, inexcusable in corporate worship. When we all come together we should concentrate solely on what is good for the encouragement of the believers and the promotion of the gospel. 2 Timothy 3:16 plainly speaks to that. Thanks for your thoughts Ms. Ulerie.

Exactly Michelle... It is interesting to see your use of the word prophetic. Your use of the word suggests a similar definition to how I would describe it. Prophetic worship is more about edification and and encouragement as I see it in the New Covnenant scriptures. It is less about "speaking things over" a person or a group of people and more about facilitating a deeper response to the gospel within the body of Christ. Unfortunately, the term prophetic is used so liberally and indescriminately that it is becoming ambiguous...

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