One of his contentions is that when the current education system is functioning, at best it creates future college professors. With all the focus on Math, Sciences, Language Arts, etc, the creative potential that flourishes in every child (yes, EVERY child) is slowly squeezed into a cerebral cookie cutter over time and the creative elements simply are buried and become dormant.
So how do we change this tragic direction? Overhauling the educational system is difficult and daunting. It is hard to fix a system when the system doesn't believe that it is broken. Not to mention that the DNA of a system is almost impossible to change without years and years of intentional alteration.
BUT . . .
Imagine if the Church became a place where artists, young and old could find a community where it is safe and encouraging for one to explore their creative expressions.
I'm not talking about adding more dramas to Sunday morning.
I'm not talking about making the bulletin more colorful.
What I'm asking is what if the Church became a place where artists would gather and be challenged to develop their gifts to the fullest potential God has placed in them. A place where all forms of art were allowed to flourish. A place where an artist could grow, ask questions, try new things, offer new perspectives, be challenged, and even given the freedom to challenge the status quo.
Imagine the Church becoming the center of the art community in its location. And as those artists come, they have the opportunity to see Jesus in the lives of those who create all around them.
Imagine a movement of churches that use art to influence the world beyond the church walls. How awesome it would be to see Christ-centered art hanging in museums (or drawn on sidewalks for that matter). Think of the impact of Christ-centered dramas (or comedies) showing up in community theaters or street corner theater. Picture Christ-centered films presented in independent film competitions. Envision secular coffee houses blossoming with songwriters and singers offering new and original psalms which shine the light of hope into the darkest of situations. I could go on and on and on. The possibilities of art are limitless.
The church has been handed a golden opportunity directly from The Creator Himself. As the vision pastor of a new church plant in San Antonio focusing on the artistic community, my team and I are committed to seeing the most innovative and creative forms of art come out of the Church, illuminate Christ and influence a confused and lost world.
EVERY human being is made in the image of God. Of course all of us are creative because God is creative. He has given everyone of us that gift. Benjamin Franklin was creative. Walt Disney was creative. Madonna is creative. Tom Hanks is creative. YoYo Ma is creative.
BUT . . .
When an artist has a relationship with THE CREATOR through Jesus Christ . . . His or her creativity is now empowered by the Holy Spirit. There is something supernatural that inhabits the working of that creativity.
AND . . .
Now whatever work of art is shaped, written, painted, performed, filmed, or drawn . . . not only makes an impact on the moment . . . but it will send waves of influence throughout eternity.
The church has a golden opportunity. Let's take it while it is being offered to us. For the Glory of God, let us embrace the artist and give them the tools and encouragement to become exactly who God designed them to be. Encourage and empower them to create . . . and the church will carry the Glory of Christ (creatively) into the world like never before.
Onward and upward!!
Stephen
