Let me get it off my chest, I love the TED talks.
This one is of Sir Ken Robinson talking about the topic, “Do Schools Kill Creativity?”:
A few snippets from the talk:
- There isn’t an education system on the planet that teaches dance everyday to children the same way we teach them mathematics. Why? Why not? I think this is rather important. I think math is very important, but so is dance.
- I think you’ve had to conclude the whole purpose of public education through the world is to produce university professors.
- Creativity is the process of having original ideas that have value.
While his talk directly applies to how we handle creativity in our school systems, I do think it applies to the church.
He uses Gillian Lynne as an example near the end of the talk. Due to Gillian’s fidgeting in school, she was told she had a learning disorder. A doctor later diagnosed her with a simple case of being a Dancer. After an illustrious solo career, she went on to do the choreography for Cats and Phantom of the Opera.
Nowadays she’d probably be diagnosed with ADHD.
I think the church is one place that creativity is fostered. Take the innumerable opportunities for musicians of all levels in churches. There’s a structure in place to serve those creative desires in the congregation.
What are some other opportunities for creativity in churches? Do you think the church should serve an active function in fulfilling some of those desires?
HT: The Aesthetic Elevator. Also, let me know in the comments if you watch any other gems from the TED talks. I’m always on the lookout for more.
