So, one thing I'm stoked about with our new building at Crossbridge is that we will be able to incorporate other artistic expressions in worship. We have tried over the years to bring stuff such as painting, photography and drama into our services, but they always seem to fall short because our cafeteria lacks any sort of creative vibe. It's like one big blank room with windows and cinder block walls.
I plan on assembling some teams of artists within our church to help bring the arts to a more prominent place in our worship environments. Music has obviously always had a place; it's a part of the Bible Belt worship culture. However, some of my more moving worship experiences have been void of music and full of other artistic expressions. Not to negate music, it's still one of my favs!
I do believe this will only serve to help expand our people's view of worship as well. I love to hear the stories of worship behind paintings and photographs. I love to hear how people prepare themselves to read scripture...they actually ask me in advance for the reading so they can practice! I want to pour gas on the fires and passions that burn within these artists...I just need an avenue to do so. And that is coming soon...
I'm afraid I don't understand. How would you incorporate something like painting into your average Sunday morning service?
ReplyDeleteAppreciate you taking the time to comment Timothy. I’ve been in various worship environments where I’ve photography and painting used. Sometimes, it’s just the display of an artist’s work during the service. For example, on a night of communion and worship, the room was surrounded with paintings of Christ, the cross, communion cups, and the Lord’s Supper. All done by local artists. I’ve also seen this done with photography by using high quality photos of various religious landmarks (crosses, statues and etc…) that would help set the tone for the evening.
ReplyDeleteThere are two other ways I’ve seen painting incorporated. One had a team of painters that painted throughout the entire service (music, talk, announcements). They were given a general direction for the evening, but they were allowed to let the Spirit lead them in their painting. By the end of the night, you had a painting that was an accurate reflection of our time spent together.
I’ve also seen where the instance above was done and the following week, the crowd was allowed to add to the painting during the response time. For example, if it was a picture of Christ on the cross, the crowd was allowed to come up and paint sins, fears or struggles that they needed to leave at the foot of the cross. It was a powerful time.
These are just a few examples…anybody else seen other uses of non-musical arts in the worship services?
dude, i love this.
ReplyDeleteTim,
ReplyDeleteMaybe I can provide a little insight for Mr. Timothy. Suppose if we follow the scripture when Paul tells us that he became all thing to all people that he may win some, and a non believer comes to church for the first time and heis an artist. No matter how good the preaching is, the musio, or the people, all he can pay attention to is the paintings. Which continues to bring him back to the church which later leads to his salvation. I feel we could contribute the paintings to have a part in his salvation. I feel sometimes sthe church lacks creativity sometimes, but something like paintings could bring in a whole different form of worship. And not neccesarily just paintings, but differnt forms of artwork could really be useful in furthering the Kingdom. As far as Timothy asking how you would incorporate painting into a service, I am afraid my illiterate artistic mind can't come up with ways, but if you want me to show you haw sports can be incorporated, I'm there! However, just because arts are not my strong suit, that doesn't mean that my Bachelor of Art's brother can't come up with ways. Holla! Tell Monica I said hi.
Nick Beam