Art in Worship - Where are they going?
First of all, I apologize for the lack of scheduled posting. I was having some technical difficulties. Onward…
I seem to be sensing a bit of a trend in many churches today (especially smaller churches). The trend is that the artists are leaving. And, sadly, they are ending up in spots that are drowning their faith and getting them into some places they shouldn’t be going. I’ve been involved in enough theatre groups to know that what goes on in many are not particularly healthy for someone who has left the church and is looking for a place to belong. Before long, people are belonging to smoker’s circles, drinking parties, and all sorts of relativistic thinking. Why is this? Why do artists find a different community instead of the church? There are a few reasons:
- The word I just mentioned above: community, or rather, the lack of it. Many churches have a great community of quilters. Many churches have a great community of people who play sports together. Many churches have a great community of friends. But most churches have no community of artists. The “secular” art world is full of community. In the church, where is the place for photographers? Where is the place for sculptors? Where is the place for dancers? Where is the place for sketchers, painters, graphic designers?
- Artists’ minds aren’t nurtured, directed, and discipled. Because there is rarely an outlet for artists to “perform” in the church, there is rarely a place to nurture an artist’s gift, and rarely a place for a mature Christian artist to disciple a younger one.
- Artists aren’t utilized. Let’s face it, besides musicians and maybe a couple of ladies that make banners, where are we utilizing artists within the church?
- Quality doesn’t seem to matter. Artists can get pretty picky. So often in the church we do something halfheartedly with no effort and call it “good enough” because it’s for church. Artists see these things and run away as fast as they can.
So how do we nurture artists in the church and why should we be concerened about doing so? Tomorrow I’ll share some Scripture, thoughts and ideas on how to do so.
