Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Creativity in Church

Ever since we started New Life we have felt a commitment to the creative arts.

It feels like this is a part of our DNA, and yet we have not been able to come to the point where the arts are integrated into what we do.

The arts enable us to tell the story in a powerful way, to tell the gospel story in ways that transcend the purely rational.

But how to start?

Here are some questions that I think we need to ask ourselves:

1. What is the message that we are trying to convey?

2. What can the arts do for us that we cannot do in other ways?

3. What changes do we need to make to:

  • our worship
  • the building
  • our people


4. What are the abilities or interests that people have which we can tap into?

5. Is there scope for getting people in to help us, and if so who?


2 comments:

  1. Two thoughts out of this:1. Our building is already cramped for space! We have to use the space more effectively... perhaps moving the furniture out/ around.... but that's hard work2. The time component for planning. The reason why you end up following a predictable routine is that it's the easiest way to do things. Even the Good Friday thing which was already produced by somebody else took a lot of time because it had to be converted from a net format to a DVD format (Tim did that). Then I had to work out a format that would work and enhance the presentation not take away from it. Even the arty churches that are right into it (eg Mosaic in LA) only do the big presentations once a month max."I think we need to rearrange the way the building is so there is space for who ever wants to move dance, wave flags, banners, ribbons, people to lay down, people to kneel do whatever so that it still all in the same area. I believe that God often moves from the front of the building down so if you move this kind of worship to the back then the people who are trying to listen to the Spirit are the furthest away. I also think at the moment you are teaching the kids - who are the ones doing it that it is only for kids and you can do it if you are out of our way! We don't say that but often the non verbal is more powerful than the verbal. As adults we need to be braver because otherwise we are teaching the kids that you grow out of all that stuff as you grow older."Again the practicality of letting people move who want to move means space! Is there a way of arranging the building that allows more "stuff" up front while retaining the homey atmosphere that makes people feel comfortable?Here is a problem that I see that's the heart of it all.... we have been conditioned to believe that worship is essentially "receiving". Sit still and listen. We have to change that mind set. Even the sharing times are dull because most people don't understand that they have a responsibility to bring something to share.

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  2. Here is a problem that I see that's the heart of it all.... we have been conditioned to believe that worship is essentially "receiving". Sit still and listen. We have to change that mind set. Even the sharing times are dull because most people don't understand that they have a responsibility to bring something to share.I agree. We all need to accept that worship is about giving to God but that it is also about ministering to others and I think we all get too wrapped up in what we need or what we think we should be doing that we aren't aware of what god wants or even what the other people around us need. If we use the arts if gives people the ability to minister to others. Of course this should be happening in small groups and maybe we need to start there and encourage people to be creative in their small groups.I know it all takes time. I know the Good Friday stuff took ages and I certainly don;t think that at the moment we should be doing something all the time. However I think we can make a start. Maybe we can have a planning meeting and look at what you are planning to preach on and do some small things. I find it hard - if you tell me what to do I will do it but I really don't know what to do or what will work. I think we need to try and do some more symbol/ritual stuff - again I don't really know how or what but we need to make the meaning behind alot of what we do and believe more real. Christian schools can be great for kids in this way because they can tell the story over and over in creative ways and it gets into their souls. I don't think it even has to be that complicated - just stuff with things like candles, water, clothing etc.I don't think there is anything wrong with what we are doing now and God can move in any place at any time. I guess it is as much about learning to listen to God better and doing the whole risk taking thing as it is about what we actually do. I am just not willing to let it go. I feel like God has restored the vision and though I have no idea what to do or how to get there I feel like I have to do something. I feel quite helpless really but I guess that is when God does his best work - I'm hoping anyway.In terms of rearranging the building what about if we moved the lounges in front of the room where the double bunks are and move the front lot of tables down there and left the space where the front lot of tables are? Again I am not good at spatial concepts and that may not work but it is a suggestion.I don't know that sharing times because most people don't understand that they have a responsibility to bring something to share. If they are anything like me they would like to have something to share but mostly I don't feel that God has done anything in my life. I feel I plod along and that there is to much to do and too little time to do it in. I know I don't spend enough time in his presence but I also don't know where to find that time. I bring school work home most nights and I plan to get to bed early but it doesn't often happen and it is all I can do to get up in the mornings in time to go to school. Life mostly seems too hard and it is all I can do to cope.

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