The Creative Element Chart

Rinse and repeat. To me it can only mean one thing- hypothesis. Even though my hairs are few, I still wash it, and then I rinse and repeat. A hypothesis is a process that comes from getting the best information that we have available to us and conducting a daily lab. We conduct the lab faithfully on a daily basis not trying to prove anything, but to continue on. Media and Arts and its relationship to calling, gifts, prayer and the outpouring of worship and service is a hypothesis that we faithfully practice and give back to Him. In fact the creative process is the process of collaboration with the Creator to show that it will not work effectively without three elements: The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. Without the combined elements of The Trinity the lab can not be successful.

Mind and Heart

Renewal is another repeated effort. In Romans 12 Paul discusses a hypothesis that we are to repeat daily. It is a renewal of the mind and heart. The mind and the heart are elements that are part of the body. They are organs that need constant attention if they are to be useful. In daily reading the mind is renewed intellectually, through prayer, and song, through the process of worship the heart is renewed. This is a daily rinse and repeat hypothesis that in order to be effective followers of Christ we must practice day in and day out. Sooner or later that renewal becomes a transformation but it takes a repeated effort whether we feel like it or we don't. As my father says, "it doesn't happen by osmosis!" In the element chart mind, heart, renewal, prayer and worship are all elements that need to be present and combined in the creative process.

Modeling THE Creative Process

Creation is also a lab we can conduct. The process is found in the beginning in Genesis. The lab calls for an empty container and a watery abyss, it calls for light and it calls for the dark. We paint a picture, we write a story, and we bring life to light. We plant, we nurture, we manipulate, and we marvel that the Author, the Creator, the Master shows us and renews it day in and day out. We may fill an empty page, he creates another day! We may manipulate a lump of clay and form it, while he changes the seasons. We may create a feast He provides us with the food we need-we may sing but He is the Song.

Prayer in the Creative Process

Prayer is the collaboration with the Creator in taking His creative process and on a daily basis repeating it day in and day out. There is a script, there is an outline, and there is music, poetry, and wisdom. In our element chart He has bestowed on us, called on us, trusted in us to hear the calling, take the talents, understand the spiritual gift behind it, collaborate with the Master in prayer and use it to edify the Body. Then in true equation form each element is multiplied by the Holy Spirit and God increases, our humanness decreases-this creative process leads to the ultimate sum of why we rinse and repeat the process day in and day out. The result is not photosynthesis, it is not reached by osmosis, we don't split in two, or multiply by ourselves. No, the result of our renewal is transformation!

Note: There are many believers in Christ who are in media and arts. While the mainstream may try to make the creative process into something man-made, our media lab would like to present a daily perspective on creativity that is based on God's plan. This is the first "memo" of 365 of our "Mindset" series, a curriculum for media professionals who follow Jesus Christ. There is a blog, a world wide radio program, and a book series that we are developing in cooperation with Ezra Publications, Envoy Creative Media, The Chronicle Newspapers that we are distributing. If you would like more information or have interest in becoming an Envoy visit our website http://www.envoycreative.com. You may also reach us toll free (888) 266-3180.