Carry the Story: Communications & Creative Arts

By Laura Coulter

A Story Worth Telling

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’”
-Luke 2:10-11

The very day Jesus entered the world—swaddled in rags and human skin—a story was passed from heaven to earth.

The angel called it “good news.” And since that night, when a group of shepherds found a young mother, her husband, and a newborn baby in a stable among the Judean hills, this same story has been proclaimed all over the earth:

God came to be with us.

A few decades later, He would die for us. And then He’d rise back to life, bringing eternal life to all those who place their full trust in Him.

This is a story worth telling. It’s not just “good news.” It’s the Good News.

We recognize that the very core of our faith is Good News from the Bible we heard through someone else—Good News passed down from generation to generation, century by century. It’s a message we, too, are called to tell those around us and those who come after us.

Here at Southeast, we’re part of the great relay of the Gospel, as are people in countless churches in our region and across the world. The most essential part of our mission of Connecting people to Jesus and one another is the Good News about Jesus. That’s exactly what connects us to Him.

As Christians, we have the greatest story to tell. In light of this story, we have other stories to share with one another and the world—great truths and wisdom for life, joy, and gratefulness in all circumstances, bound up in the unmatched character of God.

It’s important for us to tell how God is at work in us and around us. With awe, we witness the stories God writes in people’s lives as they encounter His story. The Good News brings redemption, restoration, abundant life, freedom, reconciliation, and so much more to those who hear it and believe. We love sharing these stories and celebrating what God is doing in the lives of individuals, families, communities, and in our church.

We also have an invitation to extend—to invite others into the family of God. At Southeast, we are blessed to have so many avenues by which individuals who don’t know God might find themselves at home among the people of God. We have ministries that serve all kinds of people, services and events that bring all kinds of people through our doors, and members of our Southeast family who go out and love all kinds of people right where they are.

We’re constantly communicating. And we’re always creating new ways to share the stories that truly matter— the greatest story ever told and all those that spring from it.

Playing Our Part

If you’ve attended Southeast on a regular basis—or even once—you’ve experienced several of the ways we intentionally communicate with our congregation. The content of a worship service—the message, music, and prayer—is the most obvious way we’re communicating, but there are other means of communication at work, too—on the weekend and throughout the week.

When someone hands you a bulletin or a handout as you walk through the doors of our campuses, do you ever wonder where it comes from? When you watch a video in a worship service, or you click Like on a post from Southeast’s Facebook account, do you ever wonder how it was made?

You might not realize it, but Southeast has a Communications & Creative Arts Ministry that plays a large role in the many ways our church works to share stories with our congregation and the community.

The Communications & Creative Arts team is made up of videographers, graphic designers, writers, and more. These staff members use their creative gifts to design, plan, and produce most of the communication materials you see from Southeast. They are on the front lines of connecting the messages and stories of Southeast with those in our community and beyond.

It’s a privilege and a responsibility these creatives engage in each day—to be able to use gifts from our Creator to point people to His Good News and His glory; to arrange pieces of His creation into works of art, meaningful stories, and effective resources that help build up His church and share the hope He brings. It’s both humbling and gratifying to be part of this work.

As talented as the members of our Communications & Creative Arts Ministry are, we know we don’t have the market cornered on creativity or artistic ability. Southeast is full of people God has blessed with gifts like these. Some people are already using their gifts in awesome ways that express their worship and devotion to God. Others might be holding back with their gifts or are just developing a new talent—or don’t even know they have it yet.

We were all made to create and communicate. We were made to share the story of Jesus in the unique ways God has gifted us. It’s a calling in the heartbeat of every believer. Even if you don’t think of yourself as creative or a storyteller—you are! The epic relay of the greatest story ever told began with a handful of shepherds. Wherever you are, whoever you are—if you heard the same story they did, find your way to tell it!

Share Your Story

We want to hear how the story of your life fits into God’s great story of redemption through Jesus Christ.

Have you had any “God sightings” lately—those powerful or challenging moments when the Lord met you right where you are? Are you willing to share your testimony to encourage others in their walk with Christ? Has God seen you through a hard time, taught you a valuable lesson, or called you to serve others in an unexpected way?

Tell us all about it!

If you have a story you’d like to share with our church family, if you have any Southeast-related photos to submit for public use, or if you are interested in appearing in one of our upcoming videos, please contact us at YourStory@secc.org.