20 Creative Ideas to Energize Your Church Services Year-Round
Planning 52 church services a year can feel daunting. Here are 20 creative service ideas to inspire your team and engage your congregation.
Planning 52 unique services a year is no small task. Especially after a major holiday like Easter, it’s easy to hit a creative wall. If you're finding yourself in a post-Easter slump—where everything outside is blooming, but your ideas feel dried up—you're not alone.
After two decades of working in church ministry, I’ve found May to be one of the most stagnant months for creativity. So, to help you avoid burnout and keep your services feeling fresh and memorable, I’ve compiled 20 ways to infuse creativity into your services—onsite or online.
You may have tried some of these ideas before. Others may not work in your context. But even if just one becomes a new tool in your toolbox, this article has done its job.
And if you're looking for more customized support? Schedule a free coaching consultation. I'd love to help you craft engaging services all year long.
Why Creativity Matters in Church Services
1. We Serve a Creative God
Genesis doesn’t open with theology—it opens with a creative act. The first Spirit-filled person in Scripture wasn’t a preacher; it was Bezalel, an artist, in Exodus. The Psalms remind us that the heavens declare God’s glory. God often speaks through beauty, not bullet points.
2. Worship Should Reflect the One We Worship
If God’s mercies are new every morning, our worship shouldn’t be stale. The Psalmist calls us to sing a new song, and fresh creativity in your service planning can help guests and regulars alike engage with God in a deeper way.
20 Ways to Make Your Church Services More Creative
Here’s a practical list of ideas to breathe new life into your services. Mix, match, adapt—and most importantly, experiment.
1. Add a Secular Song
Use a well-known secular song to set the tone or reinforce the sermon theme. Paul quoted pagan poets in Acts 17—so using Coldplay or U2 isn’t off-limits.
Start with a Google search for popular secular songs that work for church services, and use your discernment from there.
2. Make Worship Interactive
Singing is one form of interaction. Try expanding it: pass out percussion instruments, create body-movement prompts, or build call-and-response segments into songs.
One Sunday, we handed out 500 shakers—people were energized, even if a bit breathless by the end!
3. Share the Story Behind a Hymn
Give emotional and spiritual depth to traditional hymns by sharing the story behind them.
- Hymnary.org is a comprehensive index of hymns, hymnals and history.
- The Unknown Stories Behind Three Well-Loved Hymns
4. Bring in a Drumline
A drumline is an energetic way to launch your fall season, and equally awesome for Super Bowl Sunday, youth kickoff weekends, or rally-themed series. Partner with a local high school marching band or youth group musicians.
5. Add a String Section
Strings bring elegance and emotional richness. Whether backing up your worship team or playing a stand-alone piece, strings are a win—especially for communion or reflective moments. Local community orchestras are great connections for this type of addition.
6. Feature a Bagpiper
On Veterans Day, we followed a tribute video with “Amazing Grace” played on the bagpipes. It was powerful—and deeply appreciated by our veterans. Disclaimer, I can’t think of another great use of a bagpiper because the instrument can be a little overbearing. No offense to bagpipers.
7. Include a Trumpeter
On Memorial Day, a lone trumpeter played "Taps" after a moment of silence. Minimal words. Maximum impact. Whatever regular instrumentation you use during services, consider adding a different instrument like a trumpet for unique occasions to keep things fresh.
8. Switch Up Worship Styles
Break patterns. Try an acoustic set. Invite a gospel choir. Bring in bluegrass. Variety helps congregants re-engage spiritually.
9. Recite a Creed
This is more common in high church traditions, but even contemporary churches can benefit from anchoring moments with historic Christian creeds.
10. Read Written Prayers
Balance spontaneous prayers with beautifully written ones. Try using:
11. Revamp Your Stage Design
Create seasonal, not weekly, designs. This keeps visual impact high without burning out your budget or volunteer team.
12. Use Created Videos
Enhance a sermon or worship set with visual storytelling. Videos are a great way to visualize a topic or theme of the day to be used in a worship set or during the message.
Here are two inexpensive stock video sources:
13. Insert a Movie Clip
Used wisely, a movie clip can cement your main point. This isn’t a new option for most. It felt like every Pastor incorporated Mel Gibson’s freedom scream from Braveheart back in 1995. You can try to get these clips from the dark web which has some ethical implications. Or you can leverage sites like WingClips or ScreenVue without a moral cloud hanging over your head.
Avoid bootleg downloads. Keep it legal and ethical.
14. Add Live Message Illustrations
Make abstract truth tangible. When it comes to illustrating your message, the sky's the limit. One of my personal favorites was when we put a live potter and their wheel on stage to create ceramics during a message illustrating Jeremiah 18. Another favorite was when I compared Hebrews 4:16 to the bat phone. I learned a lot about message illustrations while working alongside Tim Lucas at Liquid Church. So check out his messages if you want to grow in this area.
15. Plan Memorable Giveaways
Create moments people take home. There are some tried and true options that always work. Like candles on Christmas Eve or railroad spikes on Good Friday. I’ve placed scarlet threads in bulletins during a message on mercy featuring Rahab and handed out car magnets during an invitation series.
16. Use Games to Build Energy
There are a range of interactive games that can spice up a service. These are especially fun on Mother’s & Father’s Day. If you need inspiration then check out this list of games from the Jimmy Fallon show.
Word of warning, if the game has a punishment like a pie to the face, let a staff member take the “punishment” and give the rewards to a guest.
17. Add Interactive Service Elements
You could make it fun by tossing around beach balls during an outdoor summer event. You could make it evangelistic by writing down the names of those you are gonna invite to your upcoming Easter or Christmas services. You could make them celebratory by throwing out t-shirts to new visitors. If you want to step this up then consider incorporating a a slingshot or cannon launcher.
18. Maximize Your LED Wall
If your church has an LED Wall, you probably just use it for worship lyrics and message points. But it can be used to a greater degree. Photos during hosting. Biblical maps during the message. The only limitation here is your imagination.
At Christ Fellowship, we installed a 27-foot wall to enhance storytelling—not just bullet points.
19. Share Testimonies Year-Round
Testimonies are often told on Baptism Sunday. But not much throughout the year. Make sure to leverage stories of God at work throughout the year. And don’t just tell stories of salvation but also highlight stories of sanctification. Tell how God saved you and how He is saving you. Also don’t feel handicapped if you don’t have a videographer to capture these stories. Having someone share live from the stage or floor during a service can be very compelling.
20. Conduct Interviews
If someone has a powerful story but struggles with public speaking, interview them. You control the pacing, and they can relax. Win-win.
Final Thoughts
Creativity in worship isn’t about entertainment—it’s about awakening hearts to the presence of God in fresh ways.
This list isn’t exhaustive. It’s a starting point. So try something new this month. Push your creative boundaries. And if you’d like to brainstorm or plan together, let’s talk.
You’ve got 52 Sundays to tell the greatest story ever told—make each one count.
Sign Up for Product Updates
For over twenty years Ben has created & captured moving and memorable moments for individuals, non-profits & corporations across the globe. He has served on the executive team of multiple megachurches and currently serves as the Executive Pastor at Zarephath Christian Church in New Jersey. Ben also consults for churches, teaches at universities and speaks at conferences about leadership, communication and creativity. For more information visit www.benstapley.com.
Planning 52 unique services a year is no small task. Especially after a major holiday like Easter, it’s easy to hit a creative wall. If you're finding yourself in a post-Easter slump—where everything outside is blooming, but your ideas feel dried up—you're not alone.
After two decades of working in church ministry, I’ve found May to be one of the most stagnant months for creativity. So, to help you avoid burnout and keep your services feeling fresh and memorable, I’ve compiled 20 ways to infuse creativity into your services—onsite or online.
You may have tried some of these ideas before. Others may not work in your context. But even if just one becomes a new tool in your toolbox, this article has done its job.
And if you're looking for more customized support? Schedule a free coaching consultation. I'd love to help you craft engaging services all year long.
Why Creativity Matters in Church Services
1. We Serve a Creative God
Genesis doesn’t open with theology—it opens with a creative act. The first Spirit-filled person in Scripture wasn’t a preacher; it was Bezalel, an artist, in Exodus. The Psalms remind us that the heavens declare God’s glory. God often speaks through beauty, not bullet points.
2. Worship Should Reflect the One We Worship
If God’s mercies are new every morning, our worship shouldn’t be stale. The Psalmist calls us to sing a new song, and fresh creativity in your service planning can help guests and regulars alike engage with God in a deeper way.
20 Ways to Make Your Church Services More Creative
Here’s a practical list of ideas to breathe new life into your services. Mix, match, adapt—and most importantly, experiment.
1. Add a Secular Song
Use a well-known secular song to set the tone or reinforce the sermon theme. Paul quoted pagan poets in Acts 17—so using Coldplay or U2 isn’t off-limits.
Start with a Google search for popular secular songs that work for church services, and use your discernment from there.
2. Make Worship Interactive
Singing is one form of interaction. Try expanding it: pass out percussion instruments, create body-movement prompts, or build call-and-response segments into songs.
One Sunday, we handed out 500 shakers—people were energized, even if a bit breathless by the end!
3. Share the Story Behind a Hymn
Give emotional and spiritual depth to traditional hymns by sharing the story behind them.
- Hymnary.org is a comprehensive index of hymns, hymnals and history.
- The Unknown Stories Behind Three Well-Loved Hymns
4. Bring in a Drumline
A drumline is an energetic way to launch your fall season, and equally awesome for Super Bowl Sunday, youth kickoff weekends, or rally-themed series. Partner with a local high school marching band or youth group musicians.
5. Add a String Section
Strings bring elegance and emotional richness. Whether backing up your worship team or playing a stand-alone piece, strings are a win—especially for communion or reflective moments. Local community orchestras are great connections for this type of addition.
6. Feature a Bagpiper
On Veterans Day, we followed a tribute video with “Amazing Grace” played on the bagpipes. It was powerful—and deeply appreciated by our veterans. Disclaimer, I can’t think of another great use of a bagpiper because the instrument can be a little overbearing. No offense to bagpipers.
7. Include a Trumpeter
On Memorial Day, a lone trumpeter played "Taps" after a moment of silence. Minimal words. Maximum impact. Whatever regular instrumentation you use during services, consider adding a different instrument like a trumpet for unique occasions to keep things fresh.
8. Switch Up Worship Styles
Break patterns. Try an acoustic set. Invite a gospel choir. Bring in bluegrass. Variety helps congregants re-engage spiritually.
9. Recite a Creed
This is more common in high church traditions, but even contemporary churches can benefit from anchoring moments with historic Christian creeds.
10. Read Written Prayers
Balance spontaneous prayers with beautifully written ones. Try using:
11. Revamp Your Stage Design
Create seasonal, not weekly, designs. This keeps visual impact high without burning out your budget or volunteer team.
12. Use Created Videos
Enhance a sermon or worship set with visual storytelling. Videos are a great way to visualize a topic or theme of the day to be used in a worship set or during the message.
Here are two inexpensive stock video sources:
13. Insert a Movie Clip
Used wisely, a movie clip can cement your main point. This isn’t a new option for most. It felt like every Pastor incorporated Mel Gibson’s freedom scream from Braveheart back in 1995. You can try to get these clips from the dark web which has some ethical implications. Or you can leverage sites like WingClips or ScreenVue without a moral cloud hanging over your head.
Avoid bootleg downloads. Keep it legal and ethical.
14. Add Live Message Illustrations
Make abstract truth tangible. When it comes to illustrating your message, the sky's the limit. One of my personal favorites was when we put a live potter and their wheel on stage to create ceramics during a message illustrating Jeremiah 18. Another favorite was when I compared Hebrews 4:16 to the bat phone. I learned a lot about message illustrations while working alongside Tim Lucas at Liquid Church. So check out his messages if you want to grow in this area.
15. Plan Memorable Giveaways
Create moments people take home. There are some tried and true options that always work. Like candles on Christmas Eve or railroad spikes on Good Friday. I’ve placed scarlet threads in bulletins during a message on mercy featuring Rahab and handed out car magnets during an invitation series.
16. Use Games to Build Energy
There are a range of interactive games that can spice up a service. These are especially fun on Mother’s & Father’s Day. If you need inspiration then check out this list of games from the Jimmy Fallon show.
Word of warning, if the game has a punishment like a pie to the face, let a staff member take the “punishment” and give the rewards to a guest.
17. Add Interactive Service Elements
You could make it fun by tossing around beach balls during an outdoor summer event. You could make it evangelistic by writing down the names of those you are gonna invite to your upcoming Easter or Christmas services. You could make them celebratory by throwing out t-shirts to new visitors. If you want to step this up then consider incorporating a a slingshot or cannon launcher.
18. Maximize Your LED Wall
If your church has an LED Wall, you probably just use it for worship lyrics and message points. But it can be used to a greater degree. Photos during hosting. Biblical maps during the message. The only limitation here is your imagination.
At Christ Fellowship, we installed a 27-foot wall to enhance storytelling—not just bullet points.
19. Share Testimonies Year-Round
Testimonies are often told on Baptism Sunday. But not much throughout the year. Make sure to leverage stories of God at work throughout the year. And don’t just tell stories of salvation but also highlight stories of sanctification. Tell how God saved you and how He is saving you. Also don’t feel handicapped if you don’t have a videographer to capture these stories. Having someone share live from the stage or floor during a service can be very compelling.
20. Conduct Interviews
If someone has a powerful story but struggles with public speaking, interview them. You control the pacing, and they can relax. Win-win.
Final Thoughts
Creativity in worship isn’t about entertainment—it’s about awakening hearts to the presence of God in fresh ways.
This list isn’t exhaustive. It’s a starting point. So try something new this month. Push your creative boundaries. And if you’d like to brainstorm or plan together, let’s talk.
You’ve got 52 Sundays to tell the greatest story ever told—make each one count.
podcast transcript
For over twenty years Ben has created & captured moving and memorable moments for individuals, non-profits & corporations across the globe. He has served on the executive team of multiple megachurches and currently serves as the Executive Pastor at Zarephath Christian Church in New Jersey. Ben also consults for churches, teaches at universities and speaks at conferences about leadership, communication and creativity. For more information visit www.benstapley.com.
Planning 52 unique services a year is no small task. Especially after a major holiday like Easter, it’s easy to hit a creative wall. If you're finding yourself in a post-Easter slump—where everything outside is blooming, but your ideas feel dried up—you're not alone.
After two decades of working in church ministry, I’ve found May to be one of the most stagnant months for creativity. So, to help you avoid burnout and keep your services feeling fresh and memorable, I’ve compiled 20 ways to infuse creativity into your services—onsite or online.
You may have tried some of these ideas before. Others may not work in your context. But even if just one becomes a new tool in your toolbox, this article has done its job.
And if you're looking for more customized support? Schedule a free coaching consultation. I'd love to help you craft engaging services all year long.
Why Creativity Matters in Church Services
1. We Serve a Creative God
Genesis doesn’t open with theology—it opens with a creative act. The first Spirit-filled person in Scripture wasn’t a preacher; it was Bezalel, an artist, in Exodus. The Psalms remind us that the heavens declare God’s glory. God often speaks through beauty, not bullet points.
2. Worship Should Reflect the One We Worship
If God’s mercies are new every morning, our worship shouldn’t be stale. The Psalmist calls us to sing a new song, and fresh creativity in your service planning can help guests and regulars alike engage with God in a deeper way.
20 Ways to Make Your Church Services More Creative
Here’s a practical list of ideas to breathe new life into your services. Mix, match, adapt—and most importantly, experiment.
1. Add a Secular Song
Use a well-known secular song to set the tone or reinforce the sermon theme. Paul quoted pagan poets in Acts 17—so using Coldplay or U2 isn’t off-limits.
Start with a Google search for popular secular songs that work for church services, and use your discernment from there.
2. Make Worship Interactive
Singing is one form of interaction. Try expanding it: pass out percussion instruments, create body-movement prompts, or build call-and-response segments into songs.
One Sunday, we handed out 500 shakers—people were energized, even if a bit breathless by the end!
3. Share the Story Behind a Hymn
Give emotional and spiritual depth to traditional hymns by sharing the story behind them.
- Hymnary.org is a comprehensive index of hymns, hymnals and history.
- The Unknown Stories Behind Three Well-Loved Hymns
4. Bring in a Drumline
A drumline is an energetic way to launch your fall season, and equally awesome for Super Bowl Sunday, youth kickoff weekends, or rally-themed series. Partner with a local high school marching band or youth group musicians.
5. Add a String Section
Strings bring elegance and emotional richness. Whether backing up your worship team or playing a stand-alone piece, strings are a win—especially for communion or reflective moments. Local community orchestras are great connections for this type of addition.
6. Feature a Bagpiper
On Veterans Day, we followed a tribute video with “Amazing Grace” played on the bagpipes. It was powerful—and deeply appreciated by our veterans. Disclaimer, I can’t think of another great use of a bagpiper because the instrument can be a little overbearing. No offense to bagpipers.
7. Include a Trumpeter
On Memorial Day, a lone trumpeter played "Taps" after a moment of silence. Minimal words. Maximum impact. Whatever regular instrumentation you use during services, consider adding a different instrument like a trumpet for unique occasions to keep things fresh.
8. Switch Up Worship Styles
Break patterns. Try an acoustic set. Invite a gospel choir. Bring in bluegrass. Variety helps congregants re-engage spiritually.
9. Recite a Creed
This is more common in high church traditions, but even contemporary churches can benefit from anchoring moments with historic Christian creeds.
10. Read Written Prayers
Balance spontaneous prayers with beautifully written ones. Try using:
11. Revamp Your Stage Design
Create seasonal, not weekly, designs. This keeps visual impact high without burning out your budget or volunteer team.
12. Use Created Videos
Enhance a sermon or worship set with visual storytelling. Videos are a great way to visualize a topic or theme of the day to be used in a worship set or during the message.
Here are two inexpensive stock video sources:
13. Insert a Movie Clip
Used wisely, a movie clip can cement your main point. This isn’t a new option for most. It felt like every Pastor incorporated Mel Gibson’s freedom scream from Braveheart back in 1995. You can try to get these clips from the dark web which has some ethical implications. Or you can leverage sites like WingClips or ScreenVue without a moral cloud hanging over your head.
Avoid bootleg downloads. Keep it legal and ethical.
14. Add Live Message Illustrations
Make abstract truth tangible. When it comes to illustrating your message, the sky's the limit. One of my personal favorites was when we put a live potter and their wheel on stage to create ceramics during a message illustrating Jeremiah 18. Another favorite was when I compared Hebrews 4:16 to the bat phone. I learned a lot about message illustrations while working alongside Tim Lucas at Liquid Church. So check out his messages if you want to grow in this area.
15. Plan Memorable Giveaways
Create moments people take home. There are some tried and true options that always work. Like candles on Christmas Eve or railroad spikes on Good Friday. I’ve placed scarlet threads in bulletins during a message on mercy featuring Rahab and handed out car magnets during an invitation series.
16. Use Games to Build Energy
There are a range of interactive games that can spice up a service. These are especially fun on Mother’s & Father’s Day. If you need inspiration then check out this list of games from the Jimmy Fallon show.
Word of warning, if the game has a punishment like a pie to the face, let a staff member take the “punishment” and give the rewards to a guest.
17. Add Interactive Service Elements
You could make it fun by tossing around beach balls during an outdoor summer event. You could make it evangelistic by writing down the names of those you are gonna invite to your upcoming Easter or Christmas services. You could make them celebratory by throwing out t-shirts to new visitors. If you want to step this up then consider incorporating a a slingshot or cannon launcher.
18. Maximize Your LED Wall
If your church has an LED Wall, you probably just use it for worship lyrics and message points. But it can be used to a greater degree. Photos during hosting. Biblical maps during the message. The only limitation here is your imagination.
At Christ Fellowship, we installed a 27-foot wall to enhance storytelling—not just bullet points.
19. Share Testimonies Year-Round
Testimonies are often told on Baptism Sunday. But not much throughout the year. Make sure to leverage stories of God at work throughout the year. And don’t just tell stories of salvation but also highlight stories of sanctification. Tell how God saved you and how He is saving you. Also don’t feel handicapped if you don’t have a videographer to capture these stories. Having someone share live from the stage or floor during a service can be very compelling.
20. Conduct Interviews
If someone has a powerful story but struggles with public speaking, interview them. You control the pacing, and they can relax. Win-win.
Final Thoughts
Creativity in worship isn’t about entertainment—it’s about awakening hearts to the presence of God in fresh ways.
This list isn’t exhaustive. It’s a starting point. So try something new this month. Push your creative boundaries. And if you’d like to brainstorm or plan together, let’s talk.
You’ve got 52 Sundays to tell the greatest story ever told—make each one count.
VIDEO transcript
Planning 52 unique services a year is no small task. Especially after a major holiday like Easter, it’s easy to hit a creative wall. If you're finding yourself in a post-Easter slump—where everything outside is blooming, but your ideas feel dried up—you're not alone.
After two decades of working in church ministry, I’ve found May to be one of the most stagnant months for creativity. So, to help you avoid burnout and keep your services feeling fresh and memorable, I’ve compiled 20 ways to infuse creativity into your services—onsite or online.
You may have tried some of these ideas before. Others may not work in your context. But even if just one becomes a new tool in your toolbox, this article has done its job.
And if you're looking for more customized support? Schedule a free coaching consultation. I'd love to help you craft engaging services all year long.
Why Creativity Matters in Church Services
1. We Serve a Creative God
Genesis doesn’t open with theology—it opens with a creative act. The first Spirit-filled person in Scripture wasn’t a preacher; it was Bezalel, an artist, in Exodus. The Psalms remind us that the heavens declare God’s glory. God often speaks through beauty, not bullet points.
2. Worship Should Reflect the One We Worship
If God’s mercies are new every morning, our worship shouldn’t be stale. The Psalmist calls us to sing a new song, and fresh creativity in your service planning can help guests and regulars alike engage with God in a deeper way.
20 Ways to Make Your Church Services More Creative
Here’s a practical list of ideas to breathe new life into your services. Mix, match, adapt—and most importantly, experiment.
1. Add a Secular Song
Use a well-known secular song to set the tone or reinforce the sermon theme. Paul quoted pagan poets in Acts 17—so using Coldplay or U2 isn’t off-limits.
Start with a Google search for popular secular songs that work for church services, and use your discernment from there.
2. Make Worship Interactive
Singing is one form of interaction. Try expanding it: pass out percussion instruments, create body-movement prompts, or build call-and-response segments into songs.
One Sunday, we handed out 500 shakers—people were energized, even if a bit breathless by the end!
3. Share the Story Behind a Hymn
Give emotional and spiritual depth to traditional hymns by sharing the story behind them.
- Hymnary.org is a comprehensive index of hymns, hymnals and history.
- The Unknown Stories Behind Three Well-Loved Hymns
4. Bring in a Drumline
A drumline is an energetic way to launch your fall season, and equally awesome for Super Bowl Sunday, youth kickoff weekends, or rally-themed series. Partner with a local high school marching band or youth group musicians.
5. Add a String Section
Strings bring elegance and emotional richness. Whether backing up your worship team or playing a stand-alone piece, strings are a win—especially for communion or reflective moments. Local community orchestras are great connections for this type of addition.
6. Feature a Bagpiper
On Veterans Day, we followed a tribute video with “Amazing Grace” played on the bagpipes. It was powerful—and deeply appreciated by our veterans. Disclaimer, I can’t think of another great use of a bagpiper because the instrument can be a little overbearing. No offense to bagpipers.
7. Include a Trumpeter
On Memorial Day, a lone trumpeter played "Taps" after a moment of silence. Minimal words. Maximum impact. Whatever regular instrumentation you use during services, consider adding a different instrument like a trumpet for unique occasions to keep things fresh.
8. Switch Up Worship Styles
Break patterns. Try an acoustic set. Invite a gospel choir. Bring in bluegrass. Variety helps congregants re-engage spiritually.
9. Recite a Creed
This is more common in high church traditions, but even contemporary churches can benefit from anchoring moments with historic Christian creeds.
10. Read Written Prayers
Balance spontaneous prayers with beautifully written ones. Try using:
11. Revamp Your Stage Design
Create seasonal, not weekly, designs. This keeps visual impact high without burning out your budget or volunteer team.
12. Use Created Videos
Enhance a sermon or worship set with visual storytelling. Videos are a great way to visualize a topic or theme of the day to be used in a worship set or during the message.
Here are two inexpensive stock video sources:
13. Insert a Movie Clip
Used wisely, a movie clip can cement your main point. This isn’t a new option for most. It felt like every Pastor incorporated Mel Gibson’s freedom scream from Braveheart back in 1995. You can try to get these clips from the dark web which has some ethical implications. Or you can leverage sites like WingClips or ScreenVue without a moral cloud hanging over your head.
Avoid bootleg downloads. Keep it legal and ethical.
14. Add Live Message Illustrations
Make abstract truth tangible. When it comes to illustrating your message, the sky's the limit. One of my personal favorites was when we put a live potter and their wheel on stage to create ceramics during a message illustrating Jeremiah 18. Another favorite was when I compared Hebrews 4:16 to the bat phone. I learned a lot about message illustrations while working alongside Tim Lucas at Liquid Church. So check out his messages if you want to grow in this area.
15. Plan Memorable Giveaways
Create moments people take home. There are some tried and true options that always work. Like candles on Christmas Eve or railroad spikes on Good Friday. I’ve placed scarlet threads in bulletins during a message on mercy featuring Rahab and handed out car magnets during an invitation series.
16. Use Games to Build Energy
There are a range of interactive games that can spice up a service. These are especially fun on Mother’s & Father’s Day. If you need inspiration then check out this list of games from the Jimmy Fallon show.
Word of warning, if the game has a punishment like a pie to the face, let a staff member take the “punishment” and give the rewards to a guest.
17. Add Interactive Service Elements
You could make it fun by tossing around beach balls during an outdoor summer event. You could make it evangelistic by writing down the names of those you are gonna invite to your upcoming Easter or Christmas services. You could make them celebratory by throwing out t-shirts to new visitors. If you want to step this up then consider incorporating a a slingshot or cannon launcher.
18. Maximize Your LED Wall
If your church has an LED Wall, you probably just use it for worship lyrics and message points. But it can be used to a greater degree. Photos during hosting. Biblical maps during the message. The only limitation here is your imagination.
At Christ Fellowship, we installed a 27-foot wall to enhance storytelling—not just bullet points.
19. Share Testimonies Year-Round
Testimonies are often told on Baptism Sunday. But not much throughout the year. Make sure to leverage stories of God at work throughout the year. And don’t just tell stories of salvation but also highlight stories of sanctification. Tell how God saved you and how He is saving you. Also don’t feel handicapped if you don’t have a videographer to capture these stories. Having someone share live from the stage or floor during a service can be very compelling.
20. Conduct Interviews
If someone has a powerful story but struggles with public speaking, interview them. You control the pacing, and they can relax. Win-win.
Final Thoughts
Creativity in worship isn’t about entertainment—it’s about awakening hearts to the presence of God in fresh ways.
This list isn’t exhaustive. It’s a starting point. So try something new this month. Push your creative boundaries. And if you’d like to brainstorm or plan together, let’s talk.
You’ve got 52 Sundays to tell the greatest story ever told—make each one count.
Sign Up for Product Updates
For over twenty years Ben has created & captured moving and memorable moments for individuals, non-profits & corporations across the globe. He has served on the executive team of multiple megachurches and currently serves as the Executive Pastor at Zarephath Christian Church in New Jersey. Ben also consults for churches, teaches at universities and speaks at conferences about leadership, communication and creativity. For more information visit www.benstapley.com.
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