This thread discusses the Content article: Arts and the Church: Pt. 1

Some good observations. You are fortunate that you are able to express your art through the church and the art of others. Yes, the church seems to be running scared, in general terms, concerning the arts. There are many wonderful exceptions in which art is included as part of the whole "in the likeness of God" into the chuch body and family. By and large however it seems that most denominations, particuarly baptist, southern baptist, seem to view art as secular, therefore sinful etc. and to be avoided. As a pastor, I have seen paranoid reactions to my art and others. If it's not about jesus., then its bad or evil etc.
Hopefully Christians will move away from this narrow minded and puritan view and realize that Christians can express their gifts in all of the arts, both secular and Christian without being of the world. But in doing so also witness to the world.

Great topic. We are made in the image of God, the ultimate Creator, and yet we seem to ignore this beautiful outpouring of His personality through us. The same people who look down on Christian art as frivolous seem to be the ones who see so much evil done in the entertainment industry--as if Satan has more power than God to use creativity. Blasphemy!

I say, use the arts to the fullest. Keep them real and gritty and honest, but full of life and imagination. They never need be insular, if we keep in mind that this life is not all about us as individuals. We are a community. We are Christ's hands and feet.

Last night I attended my first "Visual Arts" small group meeting for our church. Many of the points you have made were brought up. There is a growing consensus and I believe it is driven by the Holy Spirit across the country and the world for Christian Artists to step up.
My alma mater, Regent University in VA Beach, has one of the best Christ-based Arts and Media schools in the world and I believe is a Vanguard for redeeming the arts and the creativity God has instilled in each human being.
The church I last attended actually took their tiny foyer and turned it into an art gallery for the 150 or so members. it was highly utilized and appreciated and gave at least a small outlet for their artistic expression...and set an example of openness for the young people coming up through the ranks of leadership.
Since moving to Colorado Springs, I have felt more and more drawn to explore my own artistic skills with writing and photography. This led me to join the "Visual Arts" team at New Life and we are producing a Holidays Art Show at a private residence in town, complete with paintings, photos, etc displayed from both Christian and Secular area artists, with fancy hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction of a painting by a local famous artist. The idea is to create relationship with local artists, Christian & secular, to advance the love and creativity of God through art.
I love your idea of going into the schools and neighborhoods to provide artistic instruction and outlet for the children in your community. That is an ingenious way to "minister" through the arts by investing in lives that Jesus loves! Very Cool!

Well said and I appreciate that as a pastor you see the need for the chuch to break out of the box and open up to new possibilities in the arts. We're turning a ship around that has been going in the wrong direction since the Reformation. This will take time, dialogue and a sincere passion for the arts as worship, - a vehicle to draw us to the Creator.

It's huge that the artist focused on life-giving expression approach the church with a heart to serve, understanding that wounds on both sides must be healed. It's equally important for the church to embrace it's role as a potential vanguard for the arts, as creative expression inspires, heals and fights against injustice.

As a director of a visual arts ministry in a large church, I've witnessed the confusion on both sides, but also believe we can break through and impact a desperate world if we remain open, humble and Christ-focused.

Post edited by: Maria Pompea, at: 2007/11/21 05:03

Great topic and one that I've been turning over in my mind, and will continue to chew on, for some time to come.

One thing I'm advocating for in my church is a bigger recognition of the talents that exist within our own body, but don't a) know that their talent is a gift from God and should be used to its fullest potential and b) don't have an outlet to showcase that talent.


There has to be a place w/in the church for all types of talent, not just those limited to teaching, nursery work or music. (You're a painter? Very nice! Care to rock a baby?) While all of those are vital to the church, they can't be the only areas members have open to them to serve.

So, I'm pushing for change. And it will come, because I know I have the backing. The best opportunity will come when we move into our new building within the next several years. But now is the time to start laying the groundwork, but it is a daunting task.

For me, the groundwork began in the fall when I returned back to school. For others, it will be getting them to understand that yes, their gift for pottery, painting, photography or whatever, is just as important as music, teaching etc. From that, then, I think you free people up to start expanding out into the community, especially to those whose options and exposure are limited, like Matt is doing with his church.

Which brings me to a question. Not everyone that *knows* they have talent, does. How do you handle those that insist they are talented as, say, a painter, and it's obvious to everyone else they're not? Tell me I'm not the only one to cringe through a service because the *singer*, couldn't? But no one in authority dared tell them so? Who decides? Guidelines? Thoughts?

Oh, my gosh, Cheryl -- you hit on a major issue with the question about people who think they're talented, but who aren't! I remember going to a church where they had this dance team that always did performances for special services. It's not that they were bad, but they did the exact same thing every single time, even though it was to a different song and the movements were in a new order. Drove me crazy.

It's hard to put out a call for artists, because so many of the people who respond are people who WANT to be artists instead of those who are. I don't know what to do about this.

I run a small literary journal through a community arts center, and I get some pretty funky entries. Not only is it difficult to turn people down without hurting their feelings, but it's difficult to find people with talent to actually submit their work!