Posted by Aidan Meller 15th 2007 August
Categories: Culture
Are you accepted / understood as an artist in your church? Is your art frowned on as some “nice” but trivial past time? Are you taken seriously for using art as a communication method for the Christian faith? I have come across so many artists with such different responses - from being effectively cut off from the church, to complete acceptance. What has been your experience?
August 16th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
I am very blessed that my pastor has encouraged me to paint and write.He believes in all visual forms of communication.
I have also been encouraged by my close friends.
I have also several times requested a notice for prayer about up and coming exhibitions to be a witness to the public..
I have not pushed any images to be used in worship as yet. Time constraints etc.
I do need help with copyright details on image selling and formatting
OVERALL I have been supported by the senior members but to be honest would like more recognition!!! Don’t we all. Then could I handle it?
Another part of my ministry is in the prophetic where I “see” images pictures and bring them to notice as seen fit. I am greatly supported and encouraged in this.
Why do I need to worry!!! Ho Hum!
August 19th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
The answer to this question varies for me, depending on which hat I am wearing. My wife Chris and I are active members of a village church in the Church in Wales (where I am a Reader) and also a small rural Baptist church. At the local church level the Baptists are very supportive and the Anglicans not interested in having art in church - in fact pretty much against anything new be it banners or display boards or area for small children etc etc!
However the Anglican Rector is very supportive and encouraging - I get asked to do design jobs like the invitation card for Christmas services, the front cover of the Parish Mag and I designed the cover for a novel published by his wife. I get a fairly free hand to design Powerpoint presentations for a monthly family service and sometimes incorporate my own work.
At a wider level, nine or ten churches (not my own) have displayed three banners inspired by the Creation Story. With the banners goes some explanatory text that is Bible-based and gives the Biblical references to Christ as Creator. This has been well-received. I was also asked to design the cover of the Diocesan Year Book. The main town church in Monmouth has been very supportive in the planning of an evening performance that will incorporate visual art, poetry and music.
It seems to me that the churches that are likely to be most reactionary when it comes to using art in worship or as an aid to meditation, are those churches that don’t like any change in the way things are done. However we have some evangelical Christian friends who have a theological objection to art and imagery in church - I understand that and respect it.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:07 am
As God Almighty designed and commissioned both the tabernacle and the temple I think that HE loves and supports”ART”.
God bless
August 20th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Yes - but church leaders need to have discernment. Just as they should have discernment about prophecy and tongues they should also consider whether or not a particular piece of art or the use of a particular art form is appropriate in a place of worship or in a service.
“ART” covers many things - including unmade beds (Tracy E) and elephant dung (Chris Ofili) and the monstrosities of Gilbert and George and the Chapman brothers - I don’t believe that God loves much of this or even any of it.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:57 pm
He loves and supports art, and as we all must do, is discern what is good what is honorable and what is worthy. He did not design anything ugly!!! Sin makes ugliness!
I have never been cart blanche in a subject there are always provisos.
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:01 am
I started painting during worship when I ended up (by means too complicated to explain) painting at Spring Harvest during the main meetings in the Big Top. It was such an encouraging and uplifting experience that I was keen to carry on when I came home. Since then, I have painted during the worship part of the service, about 30-40 minutes, about twice a month. I didn’t have any difficulty getting permission to do it, as our church is quite lively and informal. At first it was a novelty and practically the whole congregation felt they had to encourage me by saying something about my painting, which was actually quite embarrassing. Now it is just an accepted part of the service and God uses the images so powerfully on occasions that it takes my breath away. At other times, it is just part of the whole “package” and may speak to one or two people individually.
I am careful to think about whether what I paint is scriptural and whether it will build people up in God. Also, if God doesn’t give me a picture to paint, I don’t paint. Once he just gave me one word and I painted the word on the board and left it. Other people then added more words. It was great.
I think it is a shame when churches refuse any arts other than music, because God did not create an only audible world.He loves colour, texture, movement, pattern and all things creative.
September 1st, 2007 at 11:20 am
I am also very blessed to be supported by my church - both as a community and by individuals within. My recent work has been an exploration of quiet, silence and sanctuary and I use canvases sometimes as a small part of Quiet Days held here at the studio, supported and promoted by my church to local people. Often people choose to explore weaving, claywork and /or painting as part of their days. The church supports me in practical ways through insurance for example, but also through giving my leadership role here some sense of accountability and fellowship. So I do not feel I am on my own, but part of a wider community who are all seeking ways of finding God in our everyday lives. Anyone can come, all are invited to share and experience a quiet place to be. And this has a very positive impact on my creativity which flows more freely. We have had such good times together.
September 2nd, 2007 at 6:09 pm
I really like the sound of your quiet days, Jacqui. When is the next one?
September 2nd, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Thanks Sue! A new series starts in October on the 12th which is a Friday from 10am - 1pm.
For interest, the days run most months and alternate between a whole day on Saturdays and then Fridays which are slightly shorter half days which provide a way in perhaps for those who have not been to something like this before. Through our recent exhibition, we have been rather amazed to see the interest in these days - lots of new people, many of whom have said ‘I’m not a Christian but can I come …’ have picked up info cards and some have booked places. It looks like we will have a free and varied participation over the coming sessions. Do contact me for more info!
September 11th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article , but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
February 13th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
throughout my two and a bit years of painting i have been invited to share my work in churches in exhibitions, displays and various church services and each time i have almost expected a ‘we dont like new things here’ response but it has never come. i have found that all ages of worshippers from a variety of faith backgrounds and christian denominations have been accepting and profoundly moved.