There’s a growing emphasis on art. It’s not a new thing. But new technology has made it possible for anyone to be a legitimate artist. Some use it as a vehicle to fame. Some use it as a vehicle expression. But Art is important to this generation. So important that Art is becoming a god – even to church workers.
I’ve realized Creativity and Art quickly become my gods when I’m not careful. Even though I’m working for God and trying to reach others for God, my overemphasis on the importance of the two occasionally compete with God. I am more concerned about the integrity of Art than I am about the integrity of my relationship with God.
Do you struggle with this god of Art?
While this god of Art is no threat to God, it is a threat to the hearts of this generation. How do we reach the hearts of a generation already worshipping Art?
We show them the source of art. We show them the God of art. We show the creator of Art.
But we don’t just stop there. In order to reach a generation consumed with the desire to create art, we have to give them a vehicle – an outlet of expression. We need to make room for art in the church. But not just art…art that is meant to worship God.
We need to turn the worshipped god of Art into worship for the God of art.
How will you turn your church into an outlet for artists? How will you encourage a generation desperate to express themselves to use their skills to worship God?
Good heart check. I’ve definitely struggled with “god of Art” and now have a good way to word it
Good heart check. I’ve definitely struggled with “god of Art” and now have a good way to word it
I think we can add to this the “god of updates,” the “god of relevance,” and the “god of technology.” All are great but it’s crucial to keep them in their place.
Great post. It’s the self-check I needed this morning.
I think we can add to this the “god of updates,” the “god of relevance,” and the “god of technology.” All are great but it’s crucial to keep them in their place.
Great post. It’s the self-check I needed this morning.
i love this post. so much. you are right.
it’s easy to let the art become the idol.
secondly:
how will i turn my church into an outlet…
hm:
actors workshops
mural work
cowriting application scripts
inclusion in some creative meetings
cowriting songs, displaying art, utilizing skillsets for eternal purposes… so many fun ways to celebrate Who he is with who he made us to be.
i love this post. so much. you are right.
it’s easy to let the art become the idol.
secondly:
how will i turn my church into an outlet…
hm:
actors workshops
mural work
cowriting application scripts
inclusion in some creative meetings
cowriting songs, displaying art, utilizing skillsets for eternal purposes… so many fun ways to celebrate Who he is with who he made us to be.
Jonathan, this is so on point its intense! To put it simply, in our childhood didn’t we quite literally worship the greats like Superman, Batman or Son Goku of Dragonball Z.
Only difference between then and now is that the new god’s of art are things like Pikachu, Phineas and Ferb and Sonic the Hedgehog.
All great, but NOT to be glorified.
Great article here!
Jonathan, this is so on point its intense! To put it simply, in our childhood didn’t we quite literally worship the greats like Superman, Batman or Son Goku of Dragonball Z.
Only difference between then and now is that the new god’s of art are things like Pikachu, Phineas and Ferb and Sonic the Hedgehog.
All great, but NOT to be glorified.
Great article here!