Hey, it’s George.
Over the last few years, I’ve had more conversations than I can count with creatives who used to work for a church—and don’t anymore.
Most of them didn’t leave angry.
They left exhausted.
Quiet.
Unseen.
Or just unsure how to keep doing this without losing something of themselves in the process.
Some of them were worship leaders.
Others were filmmakers, graphic designers, photographers.
A few were multi-talented do-it-all types—those “Swiss Army knife” creatives that every church depends on until they burn out.
So why’d they leave?
And maybe a better question—what would’ve helped them stay?
Let’s talk about it.
1. They were hired to create—but only allowed to replicate.
A lot of churches say they want “fresh creativity,” but when the ideas come, they get filtered to death. Risk gets choked out by “the way we’ve always done it.” And before you know it, you’re designing Sunday slides on autopilot wondering why you even studied art in the first place.
Creating is vulnerable.
Re-creating is safe.
Only one of them keeps a creative alive.
2. They burned out trying to be five people at once.
We’ve all seen it. The same person is expected to:
Run the camera
Edit the sermon
Design the event promo
Upload the podcast
Lead the creative team
…while also being “passionate,” “flexible,” and “low-maintenance.”
Let’s just be honest: That’s not ministry. That’s exploitation with a mission statement.
3. They couldn’t afford to stay.
I’ve had young creatives sit across from me, eyes glazed over, explaining how they’re working 50–60 hour weeks, using their own gear, pulling freelance gigs on the side just to cover rent—and still feel guilty for asking for a raise.
This one’s tough. I get that churches run lean. But if we’re being real, we can’t expect studio-level output for minimum wage and a hoodie at Christmas.
4. Their calling grew—but the system didn’t.
This is the one I resonate with most.
Some creatives left because they sensed God calling them to create beyond the walls of the church. They weren’t leaving their faith behind—they were trying to bring it with them into new spaces: film, culture, storytelling, art.
And instead of being sent…
They were made to feel like traitors.
5. They stopped recognizing the place they once loved.
This one hurts.
Sometimes creatives leave because the church shifts—new leadership, new values, new culture. And somewhere along the way, it becomes harder and harder to connect what they’re making to why they’re making it.
They show up, but they’re already halfway gone.
So what now?
If you’re a pastor reading this—hear me: most creatives don’t expect to be rich or famous. They just want to be trusted. Heard. Resourced. And given a lane to run in that doesn’t run them into the ground.
And if you’re a creative—especially one who’s walked away—I just want to say:
You’re not crazy.
You’re not weak.
And your story matters more than your skill set.
We need you in the Church. Not just for what you make, but for the lens through which you see the world. The Church is poorer without your voice in the room.
And if the room you were in didn’t make space for that?
Maybe it was never the right one to begin with.
🎙 Want to go deeper?
We talk about this at length in Episode 2 of the City On A Hill Podcast.
It’s a raw, honest conversation about burnout, leadership, trust, creative pressure, and everything in between.
Talk soon,
—George
P.S. If you’ve walked through any of this personally, I’d love to hear your story. Just hit reply. Let’s keep the conversation going.