The Creative Process

Posted by Will - Rend Collective Experiment on 9 January 2012 | 1 Comments

Tags: Will - Rend Collective Experiment

Last year Ali, Pat and I went to see Gareth and Chris compete in the Belfast marathon. We found ourselves a good spot by the finish line to see our athlete friends complete the marathon hand in hand! The finish line, although the most glorified out of all stages of the marathon, is but a fraction of the journey up to that point. Much blood, sweat and tears were shed through previous months of training in the build up to that moment. I say all of this because it bears similar resemblance to the creative process. The completed work, whether a song, sermon or book, is a finish line of sorts but it bears only a fraction of the creative journey as a whole.

Over the past couple of years we have been writing and crafting songs for our second album Homemade Worship by Handmade People. Having had time to reflect post–writing/recording, I have a few thoughts of how we should approach the creative process as followers of Jesus.

In no way do I think as a band we have cultivated the optimum environment for pursuing creativity. However, I do think that we are learning something of where creativity can reach its greatest potential.  

Jesus’ teachings carry a heavy emphasis upon the quality of our relationships. The most important commandments He highlighted relate to our relationship with God and those around us. So often we can get caught up in the pursuit of creativity whilst losing sight of these fundamental commands. However, these were given as principal directives within every area of life, including the creative process.

The process of creativity must be found within the greater context of our pursuit of God. If we pursue creativity outside of this context we open ourselves up to self indulgence and competitiveness where the end product can impede, rather than aid, the church. As we pursue after God, the Spirit crafts His heart within us. The desire of self recognition and attention dwindle in the light of the divine desires for God’s glory and the beauty of His bride.  

Writing within a group contains the added dynamic of our relationships with one another. In the context of a band, this often calls for honesty and compromise in regards to lyrical or musical ideas (which for creative people can often be a challenge!) The best environment for this kind of dialogue is in the midst of relationships founded upon trust and humility. This is why the continual dynamic of our relationship with God is so important. These characteristics come only through intimacy with God as the Spirit forms in us the heart of Christ. A creative environment of trust and selflessness is formed, the product of which lies parallel to the heart of God.  

The prospect of the church pursuing creativity and originality is an exciting one. However, if we are to echo the heart of God to the world within what we create, we must first hear the initial sound of His voice.

Thanks for reading and journeying with us!