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How has your church encouraged artists and the arts? - 10/22/2009 3:35:59 PM
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Fritzpw_Admin
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Joined: 2/28/2005
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quote:
How the Church can Embrace Artists and the Arts, Part I
J. Scott McElroy - Author, Finding Divine Inspiration
While we were in Canada I spoke at a Toronto-area Vineyard church that was interested in the Finding Divine Inspiration message. Scott Roe, Pastor at the Cambridge Vineyard—which is on the grounds of a lovely old monastery—opened his church up to us not knowing if anyone would show up. We were both surprised when people just kept coming… until the fairly small room was packed out. These Canadians were our most attentive and inquisitive audience so far, and their questions were excellent.
One person asked a couple of questions along the lines of, "Who can be called an 'artist'?" and "What art is 'good enough' be displayed in the church?" Important things to ponder when talking about a New Renaissance in the church. Of course, the fear behind that question is that "everyone" will start making art that God "told them to," and instead of getting away from the reputation that Christian art is schlocky, we will perpetuate it.
In any given church, there may be a huge range of people who get involved in the creative process, from the child with crayons, to teens expressing their angst in sketch books instead of listening to the sermon... from the adults who think they might be artists and want to explore that, to those who have been trained, have mastered their craft and are making a living at it. On both ends of the spectrum you can have some flawed thinking. The beginner—even the adult—might have a "making art is magic" mindset, believing it will all just magically come together or that God will instantly make him or her a good artist. Conversely, the master may hold an elitist view that only those who are accomplished are truly artists.
Read the rest of How the Church can Embrace Artists and the Arts, Part I
How has your church integrated & encouraged artists and the arts?
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Fred "Fritz" Alberti
Director of Social Media
fritz@salemwebnetwork.com
Read today's Bible verse from my favorite online Bible
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RE: How has your church encouraged artists and the arts? - 10/24/2009 3:45:06 PM
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Elena1030
Posts: 2104
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TMeeks
My daughter, a sculptor, has struggled with the fact that, in general, the evangelical church has ignored the artistic community within its midst. And, this includes some very big congregations.
There are some exceptions, and that is wonderful to hear.
That piece is beautiful.
I wonder if we take pieces from out of state. I'm not sure. But if she ever moves to our area and wants to participate in our arts festival, I'm sure she'd love it, and I think we'd really enjoy her work.
May she find a church that would be inspired along with her to begin some kind of arts ministry -- if they don't already have one.
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RE: How has your church encouraged artists and the arts? - 10/25/2009 9:12:18 AM
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rgod
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One of my previous churches encouraged the dance ministry - let us stay late at night to pray and minister to one another. Anyone could join, regardless of skill level. They wrote us into the budget - there were verbal and tangible expressions of support. Visual artists could make paintings for the walls, did the bulletin boards, things like that. Almost every church that I've been in has supported the music ministry - some wanted people who could really "sing" - others were ok with people who just had a willing heart. However, the permissiveness usually stopped when it came to original content. Not so much room for experimentation and expression. Beyond that I've seen almost no support of the art or artists in the past.
However, the church that I attend now is very very open. If a person wants to express themselves artistically they can share it - no problem. The "denomination" that this church belongs to is open to arts, particularly prophetic painting (paintings that occur during worship or during sermons or teachings that amplify what the speaker is saying and gives greater revelation and interpretation of the the message or worship time), writings, poetry, dance, music. While I've not seen a lot of people create art in this particular body - culturally it is accepted, regardless of skill level - and this leads me to believe if people did this, they would be welcomed. I think that since the leaders are a bit more artistic, and because they truly just want God, they are more open.
I think that churches don't usually know what to do with artists because most artists by nature are unconventional, make you look at things that are uncomfortable, question the status quo. Plus, there is this unspoken assumption in many churches, that anything that is not explicitly associated with the bible is bad. But to learn how to be a better writer, actor, visual artist, singer, filmmaker, you often have to explore many different things and different points of view. I think too, that since many artists spend a lot of time developing their craft, and because they are often not appreciated for it, they tend to want to wall out people who haven't been trained unless they have a huge amount of natural talent. This can makes a beginner feel uncomfortable, even criticized, when God might be leading them to do something that can tremendously bless the heart of a congregation.
_____________________________
We are His portion and He is our prize, drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes! If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking ...
- Kim Walker "How He Loves Us"
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RE: How has your church encouraged artists and the arts? - 10/25/2009 3:55:51 PM
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rcjames
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From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TMeeks
My daughter, a sculptor, has struggled with the fact that, in general, the evangelical church has ignored the artistic community within its midst. And, this includes some very big congregations.
There are some exceptions, and that is wonderful to hear.
Ok, TMeeks, what would you think that the Church ought to Scripturally do to support "The Arts"?
Thanks
RC
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Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: How has your church encouraged artists and the arts? - 10/26/2009 2:33:51 PM
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trelawrence
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TMeeks
My daughter, a sculptor, has struggled with the fact that, in general, the evangelical church has ignored the artistic community within its midst. And, this includes some very big congregations.
There are some exceptions, and that is wonderful to hear.
Wow, that is beautiful!!!!
_____________________________
Between Realities
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RE: How has your church encouraged artists and the arts? - 10/26/2009 3:44:18 PM
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myka
Posts: 978
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At my current church, the artists are encouraged through various uses of members artwork. For example, we have a couple of people who are painters. They sometimes have work that expresses some aspect of the Christian life or part of the life of Christ. We use those pieces at the appropriate time. Also, we have several people who work with textiles and fibers. They make various things for our congregational use.
In preparation for various seasons of the Christian year, the artists have a gathering to discuss ideas of how to visually and auditorily engage people with aspects/emphases of the seasons.
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RE: How has your church encouraged artists and the arts? - 10/27/2009 6:07:43 PM
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writerchick
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Our church does quite a bit to support the arts. We have a Music and Worship Arts department as a line item in the budget which includes around 6 choirs and a couple dance ministries. Each choir does a different style of music from straight up gospel to opera. The Mass choir sings every 1st Sunday, but the rest of the time they rotate. The dancers minister less frequently on special occasions.
Our Easter productions are massive and include plays along with the musical selections. On a smaller scale, our Young Adult Ministry contains a D.R.A.M.A. Ministry that ministers during the YAM Bible Study on Tuesday nights. They used to minister twice a month, but as they grew, they scaled it back to once a month because the plays have gotten bigger and better.
Another thing that YAM does is a quarterly Koinonia and Koffee/Komedy. That's a night of spoken word poetry or stand up comedy. Part of our complex includes a performing arts theater where gospel plays are staged. As for painting and sculptures, I'm not sure how we support that more because I don't know of anyone on that side of the arts. Our focus tends toward performing mostly because of our proximity to Hollywood. That's not to say that someone couldn't get a painting/sculpting going if they wanted to.
Given that, our church does attract some top talent. Our mass choir put out a CD to raise funds for Save Africa's Children and it ended up being nominated for a Grammy. They didn't win, but they got to sing back up for Jennifer Hudson at the broadcast.
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RE: How has your church encouraged artists and the arts? - 11/3/2009 11:23:48 PM
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Gloryandgrace
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The Churches need to support art and artists? Really.
I say lets support quilting, woodworking, fishing and hunting too. Why lets see who can taxidermy the best too.
One penny spent on art is one penny to much. If there was ever proof that a Laodicean spirit has covered the churches this waste of time would be it.
John
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Isa 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.....
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RE: How has your church encouraged artists and the arts? - 11/4/2009 11:55:20 AM
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Elena1030
Posts: 2104
Joined: 6/21/2006
From: Music City, USA
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Gloryandgrace
The Churches need to support art and artists? Really.
I say lets support quilting, woodworking, fishing and hunting too. Why lets see who can taxidermy the best too.
One penny spent on art is one penny to much. If there was ever proof that a Laodicean spirit has covered the churches this waste of time would be it.
John
Do you not realize the great contributions to both art and worship the relationships between the church and artists have made through the centuries?
Do you truly believe that all art is worthless?
I am saddened by such attitudes.
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RE: How has your church encouraged artists and the arts? - 11/6/2009 10:40:08 PM
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humbleinspirit
Posts: 16732
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Just Outside of Boston
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Two churches that I have been a part of have been very involved in the arts including my present one. There is a strong emphasis on expressing oneself artistically as it relates to the Gospel and Christianity.
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RE: How has your church encouraged artists and the arts? - 11/7/2009 1:20:27 PM
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Gloryandgrace
Posts: 839
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quote:
ORIGINAL: KnowJesus
Our church has a women's ministry that makes quilts for orphans, widows, prisoners and hospital patients. This is not all they do, but the point is they do make quilts.
We also have woodworkers who use their skills to fix the homes of widows and single moms. As do we painters and any who are skilled in home repairs. Also, we have car mechanics who lened their skills to giving free oil changes to single mothers and widows.
Fishing is also encouraged as a way for our men to fellowship with men...and be fishers of men  Hunting also.
I am a God gifted artist and the only support I ask for is prayer and inspiration to glorify the Lord.
Yes, we support these ministries in prayer, donations of materials when needed and volunteering of the time God's called each of us to use for his glory.
Know Jesus and Elena:
So what I am supporting here? The Church who builds, sings and paints? Or buildings, songs and pictures?
When worship and service take the forms of artistic talent we have a biblical and God given blessing to the world.
Jesus Christ orchestrates, organizes and uses such things to glorify and honor himself as well as give blessing to his people.
But Art for the sake of art, songs for the sake of songs, pictures, paintings, buildings and sculptures are vanity and pointless gestures that do nothing for the kingdom of God.
The bible says seek first the kingdom of God, not seek first your artistic outlet and use the church as an avenue for it. Lets not confuse our priorities or mistake what God made us for.
John
_____________________________
Isa 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.....
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RE: How has your church encouraged artists and the arts? - 11/9/2009 12:13:34 PM
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Elena1030
Posts: 2104
Joined: 6/21/2006
From: Music City, USA
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Gloryandgrace
quote:
ORIGINAL: KnowJesus
Our church has a women's ministry that makes quilts for orphans, widows, prisoners and hospital patients. This is not all they do, but the point is they do make quilts.
We also have woodworkers who use their skills to fix the homes of widows and single moms. As do we painters and any who are skilled in home repairs. Also, we have car mechanics who lened their skills to giving free oil changes to single mothers and widows.
Fishing is also encouraged as a way for our men to fellowship with men...and be fishers of men Hunting also.
I am a God gifted artist and the only support I ask for is prayer and inspiration to glorify the Lord.
Yes, we support these ministries in prayer, donations of materials when needed and volunteering of the time God's called each of us to use for his glory.
Know Jesus and Elena:
So what I am supporting here? The Church who builds, sings and paints? Or buildings, songs and pictures?
When worship and service take the forms of artistic talent we have a biblical and God given blessing to the world.
Jesus Christ orchestrates, organizes and uses such things to glorify and honor himself as well as give blessing to his people.
But Art for the sake of art, songs for the sake of songs, pictures, paintings, buildings and sculptures are vanity and pointless gestures that do nothing for the kingdom of God.
The bible says seek first the kingdom of God, not seek first your artistic outlet and use the church as an avenue for it. Lets not confuse our priorities or mistake what God made us for.
John
I won't debate the value of art, since that's not the purpose of this thread.
To clarify:
I was not advocating that it is the church's place to advocate for the arts or to support artists financially in general. But rather, that the church should be a "place"/setting/time/context in which Christians who are artists can use their talents for the glory of God. Or that the glory of God be magnified through their talents.
I think you and I agree far more than we disagree... we just take slightly different tacks.
Did you check out the link that I placed in my first contribution to this thread? The festival our church holds is one appropriate way, among many, for the church to invite the arts as part of expressions of worship.
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