We’ve talked about it here several times. In today’s church, singers know where to get plugged in. Musicians as well. Even dancers and actors.
So, where does the Christian Visual Artist turn to when your church has no visual arts ministry?
Let me start off by pointing out where you DON”T turn:
1. Don’t get frustrated if your church has no visual arts ministry:
Remember that God does things in seasons and this may not be your church’s season for visual arts…YET! The trick is that you want to make sure you’re allowing God to develop your talent. Who knows, He may be preparing you to serve in some capacity within your church’s coming visual arts ministry.
2. Don’t give in to impatience:
Almost all churches have singers, most have musicians, some even have dancers, actors and mimes. But none of this happened overnight, so don’t be anxious just because a visual arts movement has yet to happen within your home church. Remember that scripture says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 (New International Version).
So What Do You Do in the Meantime?
3. Minister in your church where you’ve been asked to already:
God may not have launched a full blown visual arts ministry within your church at this point in time, but that doesn’t mean He’s not needed your talent there. Where in your church have you been asked to help as an artist or designer? Be sure that you’re not overlooking the doors He’s already opened.
4. Connect with other Christian Visual Artists:
Just because your church may not have an active ministry for visual artists; that does not mean you can’t be active with fellow Christians that are artists. You can reach out to other artists locally or online. In fact, our Facebook page or even here at ArtLessonsFromGod.com are perfect places to reach out!
5. Connect with Christian Visual Arts Organizations:
God is doing some great things through groups that are bringing His artists and designers together. These groups and organizations are doing anything from training and edifying Christian artists to just giving them a place to hang out and fellowship. Here are a few:
The AMOK Arts Tribe: Founded by ALFG subscriber and my friend, Pastor Dave Weiss:
http://amokarts.wordpress.com/
Inspiks.com: A great site especially for Christian graphic designers:
http://www.inspiks.com/
And our very own ALFG Discussion Group where you can post your art for feedback and constructive criticism, discuss topics and more:
http://artlessonsfromgod.ning.com/
Share your thoughts, feedback and ideas about this topic:
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Gimel:
Thanks for chiming in as usual, sir!
Geoff:
Hey!! Thanks for the encouraging words, Obi Wan! That means a lot coming from someone I consider a mentor.
Please, come back often!
Tony,
This blog is fantastic. Really fills a void in the marketplace. Kudos! Keep em coming.
Good post…I pray for boldness and selflessness serves with this talent/gift/ministry.
Excellent post.
techne:
Well said, sir!
Tony-
the fact is that, regardless of what transpires art-wise within the building the church meets in, there is the opportunity for an arts “ministry”. go out into the community, join local arts groups, exhibit in the malls, apply for exhibitions and attend workshops, offer workshops at schools or seniors centers or hospitals, face-paint at festivals…even within the body’s activities, one can assist with children’s programs, summer VBS programs, bulletin illustrations. that is, if “ministry” means serving. there are so many options available to us if we can think of “ministry” as the service of the church (you and me) – or serving by the church – rather than the program in the building. some missional thinking, perhaps.
as pogo said: “we are surrounded by insurmountable opportunities”
Lew:
The opportunities you’re seeing in your church are so exciting to hear about!
Please keep the rest of us posted as you walk this out.
It’s encouraging to others to know that although we may not see visual arts take root in our local church YET, that God is still moving elsewhere and it may simply be just a matter of time!
Thanks, bro!
Tony-
Tony,
This post is an answer to prayer for me, in that I have been and continue to pray about just such an opportunity at our church. We are blessed with a beautiful building, beautiful windows, and beautiful blank wall spaces which are just perfect for hanging visual art. These spaces even have brand new track-lighting which would give these spaces a gallery look and feel.
What I’m praying about most is a) connecting with the quality artists in our midst; b) how to select art works for their quality without hurting the feelings of artists whose work doesn’t make the cut; c) and above all, what God wants done in this area in our church.
Thank you for the outline you’ve provided. This will be a great starting point as I work to find others in our church who want to be involved in using the visual arts in our midst.
Blessings!