In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker interviews Jay Kranda, the Online Community Pastor at Saddleback Church and author of 'Online Church is Not the Answer: Beyond Just Streaming Church to Hybrid Disciple Making.'

Jay discusses the importance of digital engagement and how churches can adapt to this new medium without forsaking traditional values. He details the creative process behind writing his book, emphasizing the need for focus and the challenges of balancing faith and ego while pursuing creative projects.

Jay shares personal anecdotes, illustrating how skateboarding and writing require persistence through failure. He advises creatives about documenting their processes, the disciplined approach to writing, and how a book remains a vital tool for conveying and developing ideas, especially in the Christian community.

Jay emphasizes the importance of not releasing work until it's something you’re proud of and recounts the spiritual journey of ensuring his efforts align with contributing value rather than self-glorification.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Digital Engagement is Essential: Churches must embrace digital platforms while maintaining traditional values to connect effectively with their communities.
• Focus in the Creative Process: Writing requires a disciplined approach and the ability to stay focused, especially when balancing faith and personal ambition.
• Persistence Through Failure: Jay shares that both skateboarding and writing demand resilience, highlighting the importance of learning from setbacks.
• Document Your Journey: Creatives should keep track of their processes, as this documentation can enhance growth and clarity in their work.
• Value of the Written Word: A book serves as a powerful tool for idea development and communication within the Christian community.
• Pride in Your Work: It's crucial to withhold release until you are truly proud of your work, ensuring it meets your standards of quality.
• Align Efforts with Purpose: Focus on contributing value rather than seeking self-glorification, emphasizing a spiritual commitment to your creative endeavors.

QUOTES

• "Churches often excel at preserving the faith, but this strength can hinder us from embracing new tools that God may want us to leverage."
• "Digital isn't just a tool; it's an opportunity to reach new people and enhance our current experiences."
• "Most successful ventures start simple, much like Facebook began at Harvard with a single audience."
• "There's always this tussle between... is it ego or is it God?"
• "Sometimes you just don't know if what you're doing... I would encourage any creative... do not release it till you are super proud of it."
• "Just keep grinding... even if a couple of people don't like it, I bet you'll be able to put your head on your pillow and go, 'Oh, I did that.'"
• "Just say yes to things... you find out pretty early what resonates with you."

Connect and learn more about Jay Kranda
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaykranda/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction
00:22 Meet Jay Kranda: Online Community Pastor
00:45 The Journey of Writing a Book
01:15 The Importance of Digital Engagement in Churches
02:46 Skateboarding and Life Lessons
05:51 Why Write This Book?
08:28 Challenges and Focus in Digital Ministry
14:38 The Creative Process and Practical Tips
24:18 Faith and Writing: A Spiritual Journey
28:54 Final Thoughts and Encouragement