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.

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.

I’m feeling excited today as I continue to be involved in initial stages of continuing and enlarging a men’s ministry at Living Word. I’ve been reading a great book that stresses the point that every thing you do that involves men in the church is men’s ministry. So, if you feel like you don’t have a men’s ministry yet at your church, you do! As long as you do things that involve men (which I hope and pray every church does!), you have a men’s ministry.  So, worship leaders, your involvement with the men on your worship team is part of your church’s men’s ministry.  Now it’s just time to continue to minister to them, build some momentum, and enlarge the ministry.

Sadly, men in our culture either don’t come to church, or come to church to perform the same way they do in the world. We need to get men to come to church in order to love and follow Jesus. Period. I’m excited to be a part of fostering an enviroment of men loving Jesus and know that it will grealy benefit me as well.