Creative Thinking
Ron Walters
His friends called him Hitch. His mother called him Alfred. Hollywood called him genius. For 50 years this dean of movie directors worked his uncanny artistry in portraying the plight of the ordinary man. He single-handedly redefined the director's role and in the process rewrote the film making rules. He virtually invented the thriller genre. He perfected the use of witty suspense. He created mood and emotion without explanatory dialogue. His daring camera shots turned Psycho into the icon of chiller flicks. Alfred Hitchcock was the biggest box office attraction of his day, even more than the young beauties who starred in his films. For two generations he was the maestro of mystery. The Caesar of cinema.
But, like all mortal gods, Hitchcock met his equal early in his career: Boredom was his dreaded foe. The challenge had become all too easy. Hitchcock's genius allowed him to mentally create every nuance of his film long before the cameras rolled. Directing became mundane and monotonous; just another day on the rock pile. Therefore, in an effort to rekindle his movie making passion, Hitchcock devised an amusing little plan to jump-start his enthusiasm, and his films. He began making cameo appearances. The more creative the cameo, the better. For example:
*In The Birds he is seen walking past a pet shop with two white terriers as Tippi Hedren appears.
*In North by Northwest he is spotted missing a bus during the opening credits.
*In Psycho he is seen through Janet Leigh's window as she returns to her office. He is wearing a cowboy hat.
*In Rear Window he is winding a clock in the neighboring song writer's apartment.
*In Dial M for Murder he is seen on the left side of Ray Milland's class-reunion photo.
*In Shadow of a Doubt he is seen on a train playing cards. He has the entire suit of spades in his hand.
*In Topaz he is being pushed through an airport in a wheelchair. Hitchcock then gets up from the chair, shakes hands with a man, and walks off. *In Blackmail he is being pestered by a young boy as he reads a book in the subway.
*In Lifeboat he met his most innovative challenge: How to create a cameo when the entire film takes place at sea in a 9-person vessel.
Innovation has saved many rising stars; creative giants suffocate under the nine-to-five routine. Out-of-the-box thinkers just aren't very good at repetition. The straight line to conformity falls victim to their pursuit of imagination. Innovative backroads, though often more winding, are far less congested and lead to much more fun.
For years the people of God have been criticized for their lack of innovation. The phase, "We never did it that way before," could be called the seven last words of the church. We're better known for our traditions than we are for our ideas. In a world of pigeons, we've become statues. But if the truth be known, we came from a long line of innovators. Noah, the ship builder, was the talk of the town. Tourists came from near and far to watch Abraham wash out diapers. Joshua's ringing of Jericho was a bit out of the ordinary. Solomon's Temple didn't come from a coupon in a mail-order catalog. Jehoshaphat's choir-led army raised a few eyebrows. Jeremiah's sermons were not the standard three-points-and-a-poem. John the Baptist's wardrobe still hasn't caught on. It's doubtful his diet ever will. No, the spokesmen of God have never been ordinary.
Innovative thinking and risk-taking actions have always been mandatory for the job of Man or Woman of God. That's why Paul told Timothy, "Stir up that inner fire which God gave you." Regain the passion. Turn the mixer to whip, and watch things happen. Because, whenever God flexes His mighty muscles through local leaders, it has always been preceded by innovation, never status quo. It appears our creative God loves creative thinking.
Blessings,
Ron Walters
Vice President of Church Relations
P.S. If you're looking for great preaching tools, don't forget Preaching Magazine. It's my favorite. Check it out at Preaching.com. Do your congregation a favor by subscribing.
Copyright 2007 by Ron Walters | | | | 
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