Ravi Zacharias once asked:
How do you reach a generation that listens with its eyes and thinks with its feelings?
He was referring to a skeptical generation, one that values aesthetics and authenticity. A generation that grew up in interactive imaginary worlds but hates spin, smoke and mirrors.
These 15-28-year olds are growing up and getting married, having kids and reconsidering this whole God-Jesus and Bible thing and the responsibility to communicate the truth of the Gospel to this generation falls squarely in the shoulders of creatives like you and me.
Why?
Because, like Ravi says, this generation values and responds to creative expression.
When I hear these statements, I am challenged. I know it is up to me to leverage the gifts and abilities that I have to communicate life-changing truth to this generation. I know that my life has to be authentic and transparently Christ-like and that they will examine both my life and my art with a skeptical eye.
If I fall short, the consequences are serious.
Does this freak anyone else out?
How are you leveraging your creative gifts to communicate the Gospel to this generation?
Stephen Bateman says
Hey Brian, I love the questions, it’s so important to think carefully about the way we present ourselves.
But from my perspective, the rationale behind a creative burden for excellence (or effectiveness) should not be people’s perception of our work, but God’s perception. The consequences of poor communication are that God isn’t maximally glorified no?
For what it’s worth, I love communication and media and evangelism, and want to do all of them well. But I don’t think we can take credit, or responsibility, for someone’s salvation.
Forgive me if I misunderstood, what are your thoughts?
BrianNotess says
Cool thoughts Stephen.
I don’t disagree. It was more me sharing the burden that I felt and wondering if anyone else felt the same way.
I certainly am not trying to take credit for anyone’s salvation, but I can’t read the Great Commission without feeling some responsibility for sharing the gospel. I know it’s a larger theological issue and I don’t claim to be an expert, it’s just what I feel when I hear things like the quote from Ravi.
I love glorifying God through creative and effective communication too.
Matt Phelps says
As a creative, it helps being in the middle of that generation myself. My tips: don’t to be afraid of trying something new, no clip art or word art, and if you don’t have the time to make what you’re working on at least look high quality, have someone else handle it.
I think of it this way. Anything I do, good or bad, can reach the other side of the country seconds after people see it (or, in my case on Sundays, hear it). Try to make sure it is something you would want everyone to see/hear.
BrianNotess says
Great thoughts Matt!
Omar says
I hear you, and it’s something I struggle with. Especially dealing with images and symbolism in so many media formats these days. How does one compete with non-christian media designers and creatives?
I’m starting to think there’s a need to more fully develop Christian media as a whole. There are too many Christians not supporting Christian art and creativity. So, I figure a stepping up of the game is necessary to be competitive.
BrianNotess says
I’m all about stepping up our creative game. I’m just not sure what it looks like.