Creative Church Handbook: Releasing the Power of the Arts in Your Congregation

This book is one of the most comprehensive books on creativity in the church I have ever read and considering creativity in the church is my field of research, this is saying something. Scott McElroy is not just a theoretician. He has real world experience in creative ministry for many years. I know or have met many of the people he quotes and cites in this book and they are all "the real deal." If you are considering any involvement in creative ministry, whether as an artist or a church leader wanting to start a creative arts ministry in your church, you have got to read this book. Highly recommended.

Everything I imaged that would be touch upon in this book was presented and more. The deep creative expressions I've desired to see not just in my local congregation but in the Body of Christ as a vital branch in the fullness of the praise and worship experience for creative minister and the recipient of the truth of the Christ. I am so inspired and energised. We NEED copies of this book in our church book store!!

We all have some creative force within us. Little late on the review. Keep up the great work in the future.

This is one of several resources I use in my Worship Arts Ministry! Well written and concise! Great add to my Library! Dr. Abby Burke, Co-Fonder~ Artist Revival Ministries, Inc.

A unique, timely, well researched and inspired compilation of a contemporary movement within the Christian Church with its roots in antiquity. Absolutely essential for an intelligent engagement with all aspects of creativity and an understanding of its future role affecting worship and evangelism. An excellent apologetic for the functions of creativity personally and corporately with practical guidelines for implementation.

This book is a MUST read! If every church got on board and really became in tune with the leading of the Holy Spirit and the congregation used their creative gifts to serve Jesus it would change the world! We would truly see and know the fullness of Jesus in our churches and our individual lives. Life changing book ❤️

The Creative Church Handbook by Scott McElroy is an excellent resource for pastors and leaders of the body of Christ who want to incorporate creativity into their ministries. McElroy writes about timely yet practical truths that should be taught and practiced throughout the body. He encourages Christians to embrace creativity as a means of expressing faith, communicating truth and revelations, honoring God, and reaching his people.While the book is primarily targeted at pastors and leaders of churches, it is still a valuable resource for creatives and/or those interested in creativity. McElroy's ideas are applicable and significant for anyone who wants to explore how creativity can be used to serve and glorify God, engage with the world, and reach maturity as a body of Christ.One of the strengths of this book is the wealth of resources it supplies. McElroy provides details about specific topics such as visual arts, media, and architecture, as well as resources that dive deeper on such topics. He also provides a variety of art-based ministries to research and even join. These resources make it easy for readers to learn more about subjects that interest them and to implement creative ideas in their own ministries if they are called to start one.As someone interested in creativity and not a pastor or a titled leader, I wanted to go deeper in what roles creatives play in the body. McElroy shared some very impactful knowledge applicable to all, however, much of the book was practical steps to start an arts based ministry or inspire arts and creativity throughout a congregation and does not provide as thorough of insight on what the Bible says about creativity.Overall, the Creative Church Handbook is an inspiring and practical guide for anyone who wants to explore the intersection of faith and creativity. McElroy's ideas offer a fresh perspective on how churches can engage with the world and mature as a body. I highly recommend it to a pastor or church leader wanting to tap into this aspect of the body and not as much recommend it to someone wanting to further their knowledge on what their inherent roll is as someone passionate about the arts.

McElroy has much to offer - if you attend a mega-church. His focus in for multi-staffed churches that use auditoriums and stages for their worship center and many of his ideas are unlikely to be practical or practicable in most Family, Pastoral, or even Program-sized churches. However, his chapter on building a creative congregation offers excellent food for thought and suggestions for churches of any size

Scott's book is the fruit of wonderful insight. He has so much to share to make church more interesting and inviting through the use of our God-given creativity.

While the content is very good the actual publication left me sad. A book about creativity should look creative. It reminds me of a 1970s school text book. I think having a book about art with small black and white pictures is old fashioned and makes it look cheap. If I had seen this book in a book store I might have flicked thought and thought it was an old book. It was published in 2015. It isn't a cheap book either at £15.99 so was disappointed with the publication style.

Brilliant exactly what I was looking for. God had spoken to me about many of the themes in this book before I read it so great to get confirmation.

A requested gift - hopefully fulfilled expectations.