“Street Lights is a concert on a mission to stop Child Sex Trafficking and whose artists have a passion . . . → Read More: Streetlights 3 – March 10, 2012 Midtown Church Atlanta]]> I recently met a new friend who is helping develop arts events to raise awareness of a huge need in Atlanta and the world.  It seems that artists have the ability to get behind a cause.

“Street Lights is a concert on a mission to stop Child Sex Trafficking and whose artists have a passion for the exposure of this horrible epidemic.  We hope to raise awareness and support for local and national organizations that are fighting to bring a stop to this every day.”

The next Street Lights Concert: Learn More

Available Spaces: 254

RSVP HERE

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Just what do people do when they gather to share creative work together? You may want to have an event at your church or organization.  Here are 5 Ideas for a Creative Arts Event that I think are worth everyone trying out.

While I missed the event due to . . . → Read More: Tom Key – Art Matters Lecture]]> Our friends at City Church Eastside hosted an Intersect Forum with Tom Key recently. Tom is the Executive Artistic Director of  Theatrical Outfit.  He presented a talk “Art Matters: Why Building an Excellent Culture is Critical to Christian Faith”  You can listen to it on the City Church Eastside Website.

While I missed the event due to family commitments, I was happy to hear from Pastor and Friend, Scott Armstrong that they had placed it on the web as a podcast.

I am going to see Tom in “Red” Written by John Logan
Directed by David De Vries February 1, 2012 – March 11, 2012. 

Some Churches start out to have an Arts Ministry hoping that there will be a influx of new creative people; maybe they hope to keep on the cutting edge of church planting. With goals that center around building a program or ministry they forget that Jesus kingdom was about bringing restoration to a . . . → Read More: Why Your Church Doesn’t Need an Arts Ministry]]>  

Some Churches start out to have an Arts Ministry hoping that there will be a influx of new creative people; maybe they hope to keep on the cutting edge of church planting. With goals that center around building a program or ministry they forget that Jesus kingdom was about bringing restoration to a broken world. Your church doesn’t need an Arts Ministry, your church needs to fulfill the call of Christ to make followers of Jesus who learn how to live like Jesus lived!

Artists, like all people benefit from being part of a healthy church that keeps the central priorities of Christ as the focal part of life and ministry.

The first priority that Jesus calls us is found in Matthew 28:19: Go and make disciples.
The second priority is to teach them all that Christ commanded.

Sitting in-between these two commands is the context. Jesus tells us to bring new followers into community, symbolized by the command to baptize, where we become one with Christ and part of His body the church.

I think of the best way to minister to artists or creatives is by inviting them into relationship with others. Once artists are part of the church, they, among other followers of Christ, can grow to maturity. As people grow as young believers toward maturity, they have the opportunity to learn how their particular life and calling is guided by Jesus. They will to be encouraged and challenged to do their work to the glory of God and find other artists and creative people that share their passion and love for the arts. They will also develop relationships with others who may become a “friend” of the arts who do not share a similar calling but love and support their work.

This community becomes a mosaic where people grow together to fulfill the purposes of God. Jesus will use his people to share the gospel and help see people become disciples who grow to maturity. Artists and others in the same body support one another as they fulfill the great commission. Each learning where they fit together in Christ’s kingdom.

So how does a church help people grow to maturity? You might want to read, What Jesus Did/ What We Can Do, by Worldwide Discipleship Association and look at how Jesus helped his disciples grow. WDA has more resources that look more deeply into the process of Christian growth. We also have staff who provide consulting for your leadership team who may want to design and build a strategy for discipleship for your church.

Consider visiting our WDA website for a more complete introduction.

“No matter how talented you are, how well trained you are, how great . . . → Read More: Artists and Friendship]]> 5 reasons you can’t create great art alone.

I recently had a great time with new artist friends at the Southeast Conference on Faith and Art. The keynote speaker was David Taylor.  He made a statement that brought about this blog post.

“No matter how talented you are, how well trained you are, how great your focus is, more than anything you need a handful of good friends.  Only in deep friendships can you bear the varied trials and share the deepest joys. “ (my summary of his statement)

I believe in building community. In developing close friendships with people who want to live life together there is real opportunity for personal and artistic growth. We create great art in community.

David stated that most people don’t have many “capital F” friends.  He suggested we may have only 3.  These are the ones you miss when they are not around, who are apt to call  you just because and tend to show loyalty.  He suggested some have around 12 good friends that we see often. Followed by around 120 people which are acquaintances.  I echo David’s desire for artists to find deep friendships.

Here are 5 reasons you can’t create great art alone.

1. Friends hold you accountable.

You need a friend who can ask, “what have you been working on lately?”

Just like any freelance work, artists set their hours and rely on a variety of motivations to create. However we often fail to meet our goals and a friend helps us stay on track.

2. Two are better than One.

The book of Ecclesiates points out that when we are alone we are not as productive.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work” (Eccl. 4:9).

Consider how you can collaborate with others to stretch your creative muscles and work with someone else. Lately I have been playing with a new set of musicians where I am not the driving creative force. I’m learning to listen and add layers to our music where before I was providing the foundational chords and melodies for others. I have been growing by collaborating. When you collaborate you may be able to take greater creative risks. You may also be willing to go in a new or different direction then you would alone.

3. Pride kills creativity.

Many creative people as perfectionists, fear letting others see their work. Artists are generally self motivated people, but this can lead to a unhealthy place. Pride is hard to see in ourselves. Sometimes it works out in defensiveness, avoidance, anger, justification and other more subtile ways. When I cease to be humble about my work, I stop being a student who has a teachable spirit and I stop growing. Creative growth dies.

4. We need words of encouragement.

Once we find a friend or set of friends who are able to provide a safe place for growth, we will benefit from the encouragement we receive. Not just the flattery or even well intentioned input from acquaintances and family.

5. Friends who are not artists provide a unique perspective on work.

Having at lease one friend who loves you and your work and isn’t an artist provides new input outside your unique gift mix. An example may be someone who can provide help with administrative tasks, grant writing and networking with patrons. I met a man recently who was able to see how he was able to really serve the artists in his church by being more than a patron of arts but also a “Friend” to artists. He has helped artists by his funding but also by working behind the scenes to help provide the organization and administration for a local arts group.

Where are your friends?  Who are your capital F friends?  Who among your friends can provide a safe place to listen, learn and grow? What might you have to change in your life to have room for this type of community?

The Southeast Conference will be a great place . . . → Read More: Southeast Conference on Faith and Art – Saturday August 13]]> I am getting excited about the conference this weekend. In the last few weeks we have moved from our home south of the city to a small apartment in Decatur to be closer to colleagues and artists as we continue to build the Atlanta Arts Network.

The Southeast Conference will be a great place for artists to Connect and consider how their Faith impacts their Art. The Atlanta Arts Network seeks to help churches and ministries build arts communities in their local context. The folks at Trinity have been building an arts community as their church has been planted. I met with Jeff Guy over coffee and it is exciting to see people who love and serve Christ want to make great art and contribute to the culture around them.

It is going to be great to hear from the guest speakers, meet new people and learn! So much of this year has been a time for me to learn about what God is doing in the lives and callings of worship leaders and artists. As boxes are unpacked and our children are in school, as I begin to learn the patterns of life in this new place, and as I take time to listen to the still small voice of the Spirit of God, I begin to wonder what is ahead!

I think that a Saturday spent with a group of artists and creative people will be just what the doctor ordered! If you haven’t heard about this conference take a look at our earlier post.

I hope to meet you there!

When you consider the future of the arts you can’t dismiss the need for teachers and mentors? I wonder who invested in you? My first influences came from family and grew from there to a variety of people including professors, teachers, and . . . → Read More: Mentoring artists?]]> Who taught Mozart to play the piano? Who taught Beethoven? Who taught you?

When you consider the future of the arts you can’t dismiss the need for teachers and mentors? I wonder who invested in you? My first influences came from family and grew from there to a variety of people including professors, teachers, and other artists.

Some of the most rewarding time in my growth as a musician was spending time with a group of committed musicians who also were focused on growing in their faith as well. Most people know that to progress in any area that becomes a calling or career requires dedication and hard work. There also needs to be someone who inspires and casts vision.

I remember how during a particularly tough academic semester at Furman my vocal and choral professor, Dr. Bing Vick would say after a voice lesson, “keep the faith.” I didn’t think much of it at the time but that phrase and memory has recently struck me. Faith can be placed in a variety of places and for me it is placed in Jesus. In the moments of discouragement, exhaustion or confusion, I am learning the importance of keeping the faith. Dr. Vick probably said that to a thousand people in his tenure as Director of Furman Singers. He also told us frequently that our music was for the Glory of God. That was another thing I didn’t think much of at the time.

Mentors can have a significant role years later.

My Dad is another significant mentor for me. He teaches me to keep my Faith in God first even as life’s challenges come. He loves people, loves his family and has spent his life in service to Christ. He loves music and loves worshipping. He showed me how to invest in people and teach by works and life. 2 Timothy 2:2 is Paul’s call to Timothy.

“and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2 ESV)”

My dad was a disciple builder. I can name a number of men who were nurtured in their faith and future career. Each person you invest in takes what you give and has the opportunity to share that with another. For the follower of Christ, I have a calling that echoes that of Paul. Ministry for me involves investing in others who will also be able to teach others also. To teach someone to about faith in Christ takes time and a commitment to focus on them, life on life. In the same way to help another artist grow is requires a vision beyond ones career and goals. A mentor learns that teaching and investing in another person has it’s own benefits that are not measured in career advancement but in the advancement of another person.

The Atlanta Arts Network seeks to help arts leaders learn the value of “cultivating” the next generation of artists who will also grow to invest in others.

These artists will be people who make great art and have an impact on the culture at large, growing in their Christian Faith, Artists who have a mature and growing faith that informs and infuses their art with Truth and creativity, and Artists who continue to help others do the same thing.

Who do you have in your life that is investing both Artistically and Spiritually? As you grow who can you investing?

If you have a desire to grow in your art and faith, consider joining one of the arts communities we list in our local ministries list. As we grow the Atlanta Arts Network will help you connect and hopefully know of a group in your area!