Home Worship & Creative Leaders Worship & Creative Blogs Crossroads of Faith, Money and Creativity

Crossroads of Faith, Money and Creativity

I’ve challenged myself to start blogging unfiltered. Enough of the worrying about offending people, even friends. Welcome to the first attempt.

I believe we’re past the point of trying to make the cross “presentable to our culture”. My talented friends that also happen to have a faith in Jesus Christ need to start saying that they’re trying to catch up with Hollywood or the elite creatives in culture. I can’t recall a time (even when the church deserved it) when any friends or family of mine that live outside of the walls of Christianity blasted the church for sucking at creating media and creativity. Are ideas like Church Marketing Sucks really just an attempt for people to complain for not getting recognized? What’s the point of saying “we suck” if “you don’t” suck?

Where I think the problem resides is when the artists that have accepted what Christ did for them on the cross sell out and JUST create media. Sort of like some bands crossing over and removing Christ out of their songs in order to sell albums, right? I know, I know…….I hear the “God didn’t command us to just create churchy things” arguments all of the time. I would disagree with that and, believe it or not, the Bible would side with me there.

This is where I am in life, and have had some honest discussion with artists I respect about this recently. I see myself (and of course others) shooting photos of pointless things. Creating websites sometimes that just feel shallow. Why? Obviously that’s where the money’s at. Isn’t that why all people crossover from living and breathing their faith to the cross being their life support……there’s no life in you, but someone else is keeping you around for some reason.

I’m sick of it. I’m making it a point (started recently) to be on a journey of purposely connecting with clients where it’s almost certain I won’t get a penny for my work, but more importantly, the finished products are guaranteed to point people to the cross. Asking myself if it’s really possible to sacrifice and suffer a bit (or a lot) through the work I do.

Have you found yourself taking on work just to bring in money? Is it safe to do some high quality work to pay the bills and let God get only 10% of our work like He often gets from our wallet? I’d also love to hear how some of you might have overcome this and sacrificed your time as well. Or maybe you hate my God? I’d love to hear from you as well.

Previous articleThe Secrets of Building Great Teams
Next articleFire
gabetaviono@churchleaders.com'
Gabe is the owner of Taviano Design, a web design, graphic design, web hosting and consulting firm located in Columbus, OH. He also created and launched DigitalDisciples.net, an online community for discussions on technology, training, and biblical fellowship. Gabe hosts a regular podcast called GodsMac.com to bring people together and to help them fully utilize technology for the good of the Kingdom.