The Artist & Christian Community

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Permalink Reply by Gordon Williams on December 24, 2008 at 11:52am

Many of us believer-artists have experienced the kind of alienation from the Christian community at one time or another. I am no exception. I am particularly concerned for our current economic climate; that many in the Christian community, and in the general culture over all, will tend to dismiss us and what we do as "fluff," a "luxury," or some other adjective describing us as superfluous.
For Christ the Healer-Jehovah-Jirah-to enter the picture we have to take the first step and forgive the nay-sayers and those who have wounded us. It may not change them, but it will certainly help us.
But this is why we, as believer-artists, need community and accountability with one another. You're not always going to get these in the local church. And that is why groups like Creative Edge, the Hollywood Prayer Network, Media Fellowship International, Christians in Theatre Arts, Artists in Christian Testimony, and others of this ilk are so important and so necessary.

Gordon Williams, Houston, Texas

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Permalink Reply by Joey O'Connor on December 24, 2008 at 12:53pm

You're right Gordon...and are artists unique to being wounded? No, the nature of man guarantees we will be wounded, whether by fellow followers of Christ, family, friends, and the world in general. My goodness, barely a day goes by when I don't dish out my own wounds and take a few licks as well.

The goal, I believe, is to keep our eyes on Christ and to seek his healing in all relationships...past, present and future.

What if we artists emerged or became known for having strong resilience, tenacity, overflowing with graciousness and truth, filled with all of the fruit of God's Spirit in our lives because of the transforming healing and love of Christ in our lives?

How might this impact our fellowships, churches, relationships, and yes, our work?

Gordon Williams said:

Many of us believer-artists have experienced the kind of alienation from the Christian community at one time or another. I am no exception. I am particularly concerned for our current economic climate; that many in the Christian community, and in the general culture over all, will tend to dismiss us and what we do as "fluff," a "luxury," or some other adjective describing us as superfluous.
For Christ the Healer-Jehovah-Jirah-to enter the picture we have to take the first step and forgive the nay-sayers and those who have wounded us. It may not change them, but it will certainly help us.
But this is why we, as believer-artists, need community and accountability with one another. You're not always going to get these in the local church. And that is why groups like Creative Edge, the Hollywood Prayer Network, Media Fellowship International, Christians in Theatre Arts, Artists in Christian Testimony, and others of this ilk are so important and so necessary.

Gordon Williams, Houston, Texas

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Permalink Reply by Edward van Vliet on October 4, 2009 at 9:21pm

i think one of the issues is that we have made the core of our identity who we are as artists rather than who we are as sons [and daughters] in the kingdom. the church of the disenfranchised and/or alienated artist is simply a reflection of immaturity or selfishness. i am not defined by the approval or support of the church. i am defined by the approval of my heavenly father. in addition, as an artist, i also have a clear understanding of my work and my message and where i sit on the continuum between talented amateur and professional artist. i am not my work.

yes, the church could and should be more supportive of artists of all varieties and their gifts, talents, calling et al but no more or less than anyone else. again, if you're not entering into relationship and community by being discipled and serving you've missed the point. then again, it's equally true that we are simply often unaware of other christian creatives around us...

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Permalink Reply by marty gruver on January 25, 2010 at 7:33pm

Like any other ministry we have to take the initiative, we need to create a community of artist that can represent Christ outside the box. I guess what I'm saying is we need to reach up and out. Asking God what he would have us do in our community's to effect the lives of locale artist and making it a place that is not pushy or overly religious. We need to show people in our community that God is with us. We also need to have ears to hear that still small voice when God speaks. I live in an area were these things do not exist and with Gods vision he has given me and a few great friends we are planning to change our culture by representing Christ in a relevant way to local artist.

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