Being real isn’t just NOT using AI. Being real also means using the creativity of God and gifting of the Holy Spirit.
God is the creator of all things — the heavens and the earth, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, and all of mankind. And, He said that it is good.
When He created male and female, He said it was very good. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made, and made in the image of God. The Creator of the Universe made you and me, and we are very good. We were created in the image of God. As image-bearers of Christ, we are creative as well. Everyone is creative.
It looks very different to different people. Some are creative in the ways we typically think: painters, photographers and videographers, writers, singers and more. Others are creative in unassuming ways: creative problem solvers, out-of-the-box thinkers and thoughtful in their processing skills.
We were all created in the image of God. As Christians, we each have a gifting of the Holy Spirit, too.
As church communicators, it’s important for us to be leaders of Christ-centered creativity. This means both using modern-day tools well and remembering our identity in Christ and sons and daughters of the King.
Being real isn’t just about NOT using AI. Yes, that’s a double negative, but it's worthwhile. Some people equate using AI with being fake. You can both use AI and be real.
Being real and using AI is about using artificial intelligence in helpful, strategic, God-honoring ways, plus using original intelligence through the creativity of Christ and the gifting of the spirit.
I am guilty of filling my calendar to the brim. Not just my to-do list at work, but my schedule in all areas of life. It feels like there’s always more to do, more places to go, more people to see.
And yet, God calls me to abide with Him. The outpouring of His kindness and grace on me when I sit with Him always trumps “just one more thing” getting done. But when I choose to trust the Lord and loosen my grip on control, I have space to slow down and find the joy of the Lord to be my strength.
Being creative and leading in church ministry means resting. Creating space to relax and rejuvenate. Being still. Playing. Doing something purely for the fun of it.
Recharging. Taking a Sabbath. Unplugging. Doing something creative that has nothing to do with your typical workload. Giving yourself permission to try something new. Allowing yourself to be bad at it.
Sitting with the Lord, without an agenda. Being silent enough in your environment to hear what He has to say.
It’s from the overflow of our rest and abiding with God that we can be real in how we show up for our churches and communities. While it feels counterintuitive, slowing down and spending time with God might just be the most efficient thing you can do. Be honest with yourself and with what you need as a creative, as a communicator, as a child of God.
My encouragement for you is this: keep being real. Keep showing up imperfectly, yet as you are in the Lord, fearfully and wonderfully made.
Remember who your Father is. Use the tools of today to further the mission of your church and the good news of the Gospel. Believe that you are creative. Use your creativity in service to others and for the glory of God.
Thanks for digging into what’s real with all of us here at Fishhook during this series. As we continue asking what is real in our design, content, websites, leadership and creativity – may we stay humble, hungry and curious about what’s possible for the Church and the good news of Jesus. Now more than ever, in a day and age where anything and everything can be filtered or fake, asking “What Is Real?” and doing something about it as Christian leaders is important. What is real will always matter most!