Ok, so, we’ve debunked the myth that building a platform is the most important thing for an emerging artist and instead discussed how building character and relationships first will eventually lead to a more solid way to spread a message.
Here is the third and final part of this lil’ series:
Effort #3
Don’t build your platform, build your message.
It sounds a little over-simplistic, I realize, but hear me out. If you’re anything like me, once something has implanted itself so deeply in your heart, you want to shout it from the rooftops.
I remember being 24 years old and intensely passionate about originality in the church. This was about the same time when a lot of contemporary churches were making sermon series parodies of popular TV shows and movies – including my own church. Coming from a creative corporate background, and being a rule-follower, the copyright implications alone were enough to make me uncomfortable. But I also believed (and still believe) that there is a huge difference between inspiration and emulation, and so many churches were falling into the emulation category.
Sorry. Soapbox over.
Anyway, I had voiced my opinions (passionately) having the platform of Director of Communications/Media and had been repeatedly shot down. A few months into my position, I attended a small conference where Rob Bell spoke and later had some down time where he invited anyone to come and hang out. Just two or three of us took him up on it. I asked him a question about originality in the church, shared my thoughts, and he simply said,
“Don’t let your passion become annoying.”
Ouch!
I’ve learned a lot in the last five years and have realized the importance of building a message through more than just passionately vocalizing it. To build your message, you have to continuously ask yourself, “Why do I believe this?,” “What are the implications of the message?,” “What’s required of me to dedicate this season to this message?,” “Is there a need for this message?,” “How can I learn more about this and sharpen my own knowledge and passion?”
Building a message takes time. It takes repetition of simple communication. It takes being able to handle criticism and even change the course if it’s not the right one. It takes flexibility. It takes commitment.
Your message should be timeless, and not trendy.
Sure, trendy is catchy. Trendy is noticeable. But trendy is not remarkable.
Having a message spread wide and having your message resonate deeply are two very different things. They are not mutually exclusive, but more often than not, we settle for a season of brief popularity.
If your message is as important as you think it is, take the time and expend the energy to make it stick…to allow it the time to embed in the hearts of others. When others are influenced as much as you have been, it will continue to spread both deep and wide in a meaningful way.
I had the good intent of getting this post up about five hours ago, but you know what? I had a mess of random things come up in my schedule and I’ve literally spent most of my day away from my computer.
You must decide for yourself to whom and when you give access to your interior life. For years, you have permitted others to walk in and out of your life according to their needs and desires. Thus you were no longer master in your own house, and you felt increasingly used. So, too, you quickly became tired, irritated, angry and resentful.