I’ve been exchanging emails with some upcoming FeaturedArtists… I’m finding a trend that is not surprising, but still somewhat disturbing to me:
The likelihood of a non-musical artist being activated in church is less than 20%…
This is largely a function of our worship forms… whether you’re in a progressive church or a full-gospel church, the primary form of christian worship is music. Outside of that, there are churches with theatrical programs or drama teams, but the kind of sketch drama that is predominate tends to repel actual theatrical artists in favor of a willing laity without any actual artistic training.
Not to dismiss the impact that willing laity can have, but my primary concern is the dramatic actor that is shunted into the role of a Sunday School teacher…
I recently became aware of a tremendous talent in our church that was completely overlooked… We’ll call him Gene…
Gene was pigeon-holed into an available slot in the youth ministry of our church… which, by the way, he was only marginally effective in… He finally gave up and went away. A few weeks ago, I saw Gene in a principal role in a local community theatre production. He was amazing. He has great comic timing, an excellent voice and such presence that he literally stole every scene…
As a pastor-type, I firmly believe that God has purpose in bringing individuals into a church. There is nothing accidental about the “living stones” that make up each church… call it “providence” or call it “serendipity” if you like, but don’t ignore it…
Explore it.
As church leaders, we need to explore ways of activating the artists in our churches or risk losing them… either to sheer boredom or to a church that will activate them.
As artists, we need to be offering our creativity to the leaders in our church. And when I say “we need,” I’m not stating a moral imperative… I am suggesting that it fulfills a need in our hearts to use our gifts.
No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl.
-Jesus, The Bible (Mark 4:21)
The most universal desire of artists in church is the desire to contribute artistically…
Can we make that happen? What are your thoughts?
