i am an offering

Yesterday I mentioned that I wanted to share some Scripture, thoughts, and ideas of how to involve artists in worship. First, let me say, that I couldn’t find the Scripture I was looking for. I had thought the Levites were in charge of some of the artwork inside the temple as well as the music, but I couldn’t find the reference. If anyone can enlighten me, that would be fantastic.

*Ernie alerted me to the great reference of Exodus 31. The first six verses are an amazing testimony that God desires to use all of our gifts to worship Him:

Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts- 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you:

He goes on to mention that “everything I have commanded you” includes all of the aspects of the tabernacle. Thanks, Ernie!*

Another Scripture can also definitely help us to understand using art in worship:

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17.

So often we think of “worship” as singing, praying, speaking, playing an instrument. But another deed in which we can praise God is through other forms of art. Here are some ways we can use art in worship:

• Graphic Design - Creating slides for the sermon, designing professional bulletins, designing modern banners for the foyer or sanctuary, designing a whole theme for the front of the church during a sermon series.
• Photography - Let photographers be involved. Good photos can go on banners, sermon slides, websites, promotional materials. The power of a well-taken photograph is unmatched. But please, please, let photographers use their own equipment, or make sure you invest in a good, quality camera for the church. Don’t buy the cheapest digital camera you can find!
• Painting - Paintings can be used as banners or decoration for the sanctuary, or if someone is willing, have them paint something as an act of worship during special music or during a special time in the service, then display the painting prominently. (This can get messy, so make sure you have plenty of canvas and you know exactly how you’re going to pull this off! Check this out. I’ve seen it done, and it’s powerful!)
• Dance - Some of us get really scared by this word but the Bible is very clear that dance is an appropriate way to worship God. It’s also very clear that when one despises someone because of their form of worship, bad things happen! (Check out this passage for proof!) You could use liturgical dance, you could use dance choregraphed as drama to music, or you could encourage your people to worship God with their whole bodies.
• Sculpture - Do people sculpt in your congregation? Use them! Perhaps you could have someone do bits of sculpture each week during a series, talking about how God molds us and shapes us into someone who is more like Him. Do people make pottery? You could use their pottery for a foot-washing service, or serve commuion elements from their pottery. I once saw a video of a man carving loaves of bread that were set up on a stand. The people took the bread from the carving as their bread for communion, and the fiinished carving was Jesus’ body on the cross. What a powerful picture of the Lord’s Supper!
• Video - Mark Batterson always says that video screens are digital stained glass windows. I love that! Stained glass told stories through the pieces, video can tell stories in an even more vivid way. There are so many aspiring producers and editors all over. Again, let them use their own cameras, or invest in quality equipment for the church and let them run with it.

The church is first of all about proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ. But it is also about nurturing gifts within its people. Let’s take time to nurture the gifts of artists, letting them use their gifts to worship God, and providing a fanstastic community for them as well.