Leading Artists...

I actually got to lead some artists last night at rehearsal! Reminds me how much I love doing it and how I've missed it over the past months. Now that Pastor Mike is on board I can truly focus on developing and growing artists who love to honor God with their skills, abilities and talents.

Leading involves listening to what they have to say and the questions they ask. Just because we say something doesn't mean that it gets heard the same way we said it.

Artists by themselves are a different bunch. Creative thoughts flow regularly through our minds...concepts connect at the most inopportune time...solutions pop up in the weirdest and strangest places. We're much like Doug, the dog from the movie "Up!". We are easily - Squirrel! - distracted...

But what I've discovered from most artists in church ministry is this - they want the freedom to express and share, but they want to do it in a way that points people to the Truth of the Gospel, not to themselves. They desire direction that will help the bigger picture be seen, not just what they're doing.

That's such a welcome twist from the culture around us - notice me, notice my stuff, look how pretty...Squirrel! (sorry) We're taught to do stuff that gets us noticed, to make noise so our voice gets heard above the crowd.

The Bible teaches that we are to be content in everything. We're not supposed to be drawing attention (pun intended) to our abilities or skills, but instead using those things to point people to the One who gave them to us.

As I lead our team of artists here, my prayer is this:

• May we never forget the One who gave us the ability, skill and passion for our art (all forms).
• As we offer our art as an act of worship, may we always point people to Him as our source.
• As we take our place on the stage/platform each week, may we do so in humility and in honor of the King.

Have fun leading - whether out front or behind the scenes. Do it all for the glory of God.

See ya in church...