Arts programs in churches tend to be unique… If nothing else, the nature of artists lends an off-the-grain vision to the programs that they lead.
When I began developing the arts ministry at LVC, there was nothing like it going on at all in that church… Worship music was the only artistic medium being employed in any of the existing programs…
Uniqueness was not a problem for me.
Raising up any new program in a church requires attention to the uniqueness of the program. If the new program overlaps an existing ministry, you will find difficulty recruiting leaders and participants.
Years ago, I was Education Pastor in a medium-sized denominational church. I was tasked with revamping the Discipleship Training program, which was plagued by two problems. First, some classes didn’t draw enough participation and second, other classes got bogged-down and stretched their 12-week study into almost 2 years (not exaggerating).
The first problem was easily explained: the chosen topics were indistinguishable from the Sunday School themes. The DT program was not unique in it’s content and participants were subsequently disinterested in making the time investment.
The second problem was also an issue in uniqueness, but not with the DT program… In our structure, we intended for Sunday School to be more a place of community. The leader of the “longest-running, floating DT class” had done such a great job of creating community in his group, that the participants were loathed to finish that course and move on. Since his gifts were better suited to pastoring and building community, we moved him into SS leadership, preserving and enhancing the unique purpose of SS.
A unique Arts program will draw out participants who are unactivated in other areas of church life. For example, our current model for worship features a band that is purposefully limited in scope: leader (with guitar), drummer, second guitar, bass, and second vocalist. The number is also limited by the technical requirement: worship music is played from chord charts.
Our Arts Ministry projects activate keyboardists, symphonic instrumentalists and choral vocalists. We also generally need players who can read music. The result of our unique approach allows these artists (who would not have a place on the worship team) to be activated and contribute their gifts in the life of the church.
I have come to believe that the purposes of God for our ministries can be easily discerned by simply looking at the gifts of the people that God has given us…
Lots of thespians… do theatre.
Lots of vocalists… do vocal ensembles.
Lots of photographers…
Lots of graphic designers…
Lots of technical musicians…
You get the idea.
The uniqueness of your program should reflect the uniqueness of your team…
And if you are having difficulty drawing interest, do a “uniqueness check”… Ask yourself whether this activity or program is similar in scope, theme or practice to other programs offered in your church.
NEXT UP: A Finite Program…
I’ve had the site on hiatus since spring as I have been up to my ears in purchasing and remodeling a house. As I begin to see the light at the end of that tunnel, I’m looking forward to finding some more great artists to introduce to you and sharing some more of the seed ideas that are forming the basis for chapters in my book.
