Creativity: A Spiritual Gift Definition

One of God’s attributes is creativity. After all, it’s in God’s nature to be creative. Therefore, when the Holy Spirit imparts personality and Spiritual Gifts to God’s people, it should not be a surprise that He would impart this aspect of His divine attribute to his people. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that “…we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. So, while this passage applies to all Christ Followers, it clearly refers to God as a “creative workman”. Likewise, this passage also suggests that when God equips a person to be creative, it is because He desires the creative person to use those abilities to accomplish specific preordained purposes.

Communication Arts, Gift Expression

The art of Communication includes both oral and/or written communication skills. Within a ministry context, creative oral gifts may be utilized in various public speaking roles. Such roles might include preaching and teaching but may also include large-group leadership of children’s or student ministries. With today’s emerging technology, oral communication skills are also required for “on air” and “online” radio and television broadcast, vlogging, and the like. Additional, often overlooked roles, may include comedy, master of ceremonies, and ministry tour guides. Likewise, written communication arts include the development of song lyrics and poetry, script writing, newsletters, and content authoring for websites and reading materials. Now, with the emergence of e-learning within the Church, people with creative communication gifts will now be in even greater demand.

Craftsmanship Arts, Gift Expression

Artisan personalities often possess the Craftsmanship Gift Expression (i.e., ePersonality assessment). Accordingly, the Craftsman seeks to be a virtuoso in their craft. In this manner, they like to work with their hands, using their hands to create something from nothing. Woodcraft, metalcraft, sculpture, painting, sewing and software programming are all hands-on arts that require expertise skill.

Graphic Arts, Gift Expression

Computer-based Graphical Arts are now essential for many contemporary and postmodern ministries. To this end, graphic arts are used in multimedia video, Macromedia Flash and PowerPoint; as well as brochure, program, and website design. So, if a picture is worth a thousand words, then it is no wonder that ministries seek to communicate more effectively through the use of graphical arts.

Musical Arts, Gift Expression

This art in great demand within the local church. In fact, gifted worship leaders are among the most sought-after ministry staff roles in North America. In this regard, the Bible equivalent is the temple’s “Chief Musician” and the thousands of musicians (called Gate Keepers). Historically, as a worshipper would approach the temple to worship God, they would encounter a giant musical praise team outside the Temple gates. This praise team was assigned the responsibility to play and sing songs of praise and thanksgiving. This was done from morning until evening of each day! The musical arts are intended by God to help people to praise and worship Him. (See 1 Chronicles 9:33, 1 Chronicles 23:5-6; 2 Chronicles 29:25-30; 2 Chronicles 31:2; Psalm 100:4; Ephesians 5:18,19).

Performing Arts, Gift Expression

The Performing Arts are creative expressions that bring to life the issues and emotions of our everyday reality. To that end, the use of drama or dance within a worship service can help attendees detach from their present context and connect to the topic or theme being addressed within the service program. So, the Performing Artist is uniquely able to help the service participants connect with the characters of the dance or drama…to see themselves in those characters, or to see in the characters how they would like to be. Accordingly, Performing Artists are most effective when they hold a mirror up to our lives, enable us to remove the mask from our own lives, and truly see who we are and who God wants us to be.

Relational Arts, Gift Expression

People with Relational Arts can be easily overlooked, yet relationships within a church can be challenging. These people are skilled in the art of relationship-building. So, they are usually impeccable hosts. They know how to throw a party. But more importantly, they know how to make every participant at that party feel valued. Similarly, Relational Artists thrive at networking people with people. People-skills, manners, appropriateness and tact are defining traits of the Relational Artist.

Technical Arts, Gift Expression

The Technical Arts are crucial to the contemporary and postmodern ministry. These include: Sound, Lighting, Multimedia, Computer Technology, Software, Networking and Internet-Based Ministry. These are all areas that require this non-traditional creative artist. Now, with the advent of the internet and eChurch ministry, the Technical Artist will find more and more opportunities to unleash his or her skill and creativity.

Visual Arts, Gift Expression

Visual Artists have an “eye” for presentation. To this end, the Visual Artist may be an interior decorator, floral arranger, stage and set designer, lighting director, etc. They may excel at drawing, painting or photography. Our present culture acquires information through the eyes much more effectively than through the ears. So, the Visual Artist is uniquely gifted to help pastoral teachers to communicate more effectively by integrating the visual arts into their messages and programs.

Additional Spiritual Gifts