Creative Arts Ministry Elements
For drama to be a teaching tool in worship, and for a creative arts ministry to find a permanent home, a number of elements must be considered. Here is a 30,000 foot view on what you need to collaborate with God in your creativity.
1) PRAY: Get your church’s prayer team involved and pray all the way. Make prayer integral to your mission that you will be a valuable cultural and spiritual asset to your church.
2) SUPPORT: You will need the support of the pastor, elders and leaders. They have the “big picture” in mind at all times and will be able to graft the ministry into the fabric of the church. The new ministry needs to be seen as an integral part of your church’s mission.
a brilliant company can help you draft a structure, format, and a sustainable model about which the leaders will most assuredly ask.
3) LEADERSHIP: For the first several years of the new ministry there will need to be continuity of leadership. One or two people will become “the face of the ministry” and those leaders will add a feeling of stability.
4) TRAINING THE MINISTRY LEADER: Ideally, a member with experience (i.e. directing, dancing, producing, etc) would lead the ministry. It is also wise to have someone known by the congregation and who understands the culture of the church. If no one with training is available, then it would be wise to encourage a church member to seek training before the ministry begins. The quality of the early performances/productions will either prolong the life of the ministry or lead to an early demise.
a brilliant company provides training and mentorship in Producing, Directing, Acting, Stage Combat, Stage Design, Movement and Voice.
5) VOLUNTEERS: You will need a strong creative team. Look for people who have skills in music, visual arts, sound and lights, creative directors, and of course actors and dancers. The ministry will also need stage managers, costumers, and set designers.
Our team can provide familiarization classes for those interested in your ministry.
6) BUDGET: A church always needs to know how much money is involved. Items to be considered for the budget proposal include script royalties and purchase fees, rental fees, costuming, tickets, and programs. At this point, the ministry leader needs to find out what is available at the church building of a technical nature. Lighting, sound equipment, platforms, costumes, and props can be built into the budget as long term planning items if the congregation does not own what is needed.
a brilliant company guides you through a detailed budget worksheet and financial analysis for new and established arts ministries.
7) TARGET AUDIENCE:
“Knowing your audience is important in everything that will follow, from script selection, through casting and rehearsal process, to the finished product. The approach to the work is often dictated by your target audience.”
Richard Majors, Developing A Dynamic Drama Ministry
8) THE BIG IDEA: Fully understand who you are and where you’re going (mission, values, vision).
” You cannot decide what to do (strategy) until you fully understand who you are and where you’re going (mission, core values, and vision). Likewise, a good identity-formation process that lacks an actionable strategy is a waste of time and money.“
Scott Ball, Vice President of The Malphurs Group
9) STRATEGY: Understand how you will get there. Strategic planning provides a sense of direction and outlines measurable goals. It is a tool that is useful for guiding decisions and evaluating progress. The leaders should give careful thought to the strategic objectives it outlines, and then back up these goals with realistic, thoroughly researched, quantifiable benchmarks for evaluating results.
Let us guide your team through drafting of mission, vision, focus, goals, strategy and charter.
10) LAUNCH: Develop your inaugural production. The key to a successful creative arts ministry is to begin. But begin small. Don’t make a full production your first step into this new world unless you really know what you’re doing.
“The most common mistake made by a drama group just starting out is taking on a project too big for them to do with quality.”
Robert Smyth, Developing a Drama Group
Know your limitations and accept them: for now. First, perhaps explore dramatic readings of scripture, vignettes, or movement pieces.
It is also important to select the material or script carefully. Offending members of the congregation at this point will not only alienate you from those you wish to serve but will almost certainly cause the elders to question continuing the ministry.
We at a brilliant company want to see you succeed. Our team has a heart to train and inspire the next generation of servant leaders to properly use the universal gift of communication for others’ good and God’s glory.