Here's what I'm thinking.
I've been to many churches, and seen ministries for artists to participate in, to contribute to, ministries wherein, it is said, they can "use their gifts." But most of these ministries, strictly speaking, are utilitarian ministries built to serve the larger goals of the church, whether those goals be evangelism, edification, instruction, or others. Most of the ministries have little, if anything, to do with the true nature of art making.
What I've never seen is a ministry that simply offers a hand to those people trying to write, sing, act, dance, or make films, not asking them to do gives their gifts to the ministry of the church, but simply providing a very specific set of resources designed to comfort, empower, and encourage their spiritual journey. To walk next to them as Jesus might, offering his insight, power, and assurance that he is interested in the work of their hands and hearts.
I'm thinking of the work of various 12-step ministries, all targeting a particular spiritual difficulty, and the fact that when people struggling with those issues need help, they know where to go to get it.
When the spiritual forces set up shop in the studios of painters, musicians, or theatre compaies, hammering them with doubt, discouragement, distraction, or even a critic's damning reviews, where do these people go for help?
Where do artists go when they become convinced the work they do is no good, and nobody cares anyway, including God? Is there any ongoing conversation where they might drop in and listen to people engaging in relevant conversation about the spiritual nature of art-making?
I know lots of people talk about this--nothing new here--but I've never seen a church just pray and minister to people like this. No agenda, not trying to maneuver them into coming to church, but instead simply offering the hand of Christ, knowing that the spiritual battles artists go through to get to the work that is in them (through the gifting of God, by the way) are real, of a particular nature, and often ignored.
Not a ministry of the church for the artists to serve the church--there's lots of those. But a ministry of the church to the artists, the church serving them.
Is there a need for this?
Just thinking...
9:20:57 AM
