NY Pastor: All Creative People Struggle With 3 Things

By Alex Murashko, CP Contributor Sunday, February 17, 2013

There are three things that all creative people struggle with, says Pastor Sam Luce, who is the Utica Campus Pastor of Redeemer Church in Utica, N.Y.

Luce, who was the children's pastor for the past 14 years at Redeemer before becoming a campus pastor, wrote recently in his blog that his church began a Creative Community Night.

"It's a time where the creatives in our church can join in community and grow in relationship and in their various gifts," he writes. "The format is basically small groups based around relationship and skill development, followed by a creative service where we worship and receive from the Word, lastly we work on creating a flow for the weekend service."

In summarizing his message during the church's first gathering of this type, he began by sharing Matthew 25:14-30. The section of the book of Matthew includes the well-known verse, "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'" (Matthew 25:21)

Below is the list of things Luce wrote in his blog about what he believes "creatives" struggle with.

1. [They] have a wrong view of our creator – We don't see Him as who he is. We see him as harsh and demanding. Our father is filled with wrath but that wrath was satisfied in Christ Jesus on the cross. When we understand our master it changes how we invest the talents we are given. We gladly lay down our lives in gratitude understanding that we deserve the wrath of God but have been given new life in the work of Christ.

2. Fear – It's easier to bury your talent and to not put yourself out there. It's easy to do what you are comfortable with because that doesn't take faith. You never put yourself in a place where you need to trust Christ more than anything else. Fear comes from an improper view of your master.

3. Laziness – As a creative it's easy to be lazy and to use what you have been given by God. The problem with laziness is that doesn't bring glory to God. When we leverage the gift we have been given by God and grow and multiply that gift we draw the attention of others and deflect the glory that is God's alone. It's easier to rest in our God-given talent than to do the work necessary to bring the gift you have been given to maturity.

Redeemer Church, which currently meets in four locations, was founded by Pastor Mike Servello and is led by his son, Mike. The church describes itself on its website as a "redemptive community on a journey. People from all walks of life, imperfect and messy lives, are pursuing and experiencing a transformational relationship with Jesus and each other. Redeemer is a place for everyone, regardless of questions, doubts, backgrounds or struggles."

Luce says his "real passion lies in building and strengthening the local church in any way possible." He said he believes "in creating environments where life change can take place. I truly believe that the local church is the hope of the world."