Remember the emotion, passion and controversy surrounding Mel Gibson's release of "The Passion of the Christ" last year? It was one of those rare Hollywood moments that grew from a movie release into an event. Once you were in your seat watching, you couldn't help but be riveted by it. The acting, music and dramatic interpretation all combined to make the story of Jesus' crucifixion truly come alive.
photo by john swain
If you're a fan of movies, you'll know there's nothing like them to move you toward a particular emotion. (But, while movies, drama and music can stir in us strong emotions, we must be careful not to value emotional experience more than a genuine encounter with God.) Just as God can use the medium of film to awaken the senses and the spirit, He's producing fruit among Christian artists. Of course, this is nothing new to our Lord.
Throughout history God's people have excelled at connecting with God and fellow believers through the arts. Second Samuel 6 chronicles King David's dancing before the Lord; Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there is a time to dance; Exodus 15:1-18 records the song the Children of Israel sang after crossing the Red Sea on dry land.
The forms of expression may have changed a bit, but tapping into the creativity God has gifted us with is still one of the most effective ways of demonstrating our love for Him and communicating the abundance of His love for His creation. As a pastor, some of the most successful and effective outreach programs we used included generous use of the arts. Music, video clips and dramatic presentations are wonderful ways to utilize the creativity of our fellow Christians and allow them to express their God-given gifts in ways that bless others and further God's kingdom.
Many times a person without Christ may not step through our church doors to hear a sermon, but they'll show up for a musical, drama or special Christmas or Easter event. It's during those times especially that God can work through the creative arts to touch hearts and change lives. Art that points to our Maker can leave nonbelievers thirsty for God Himself. Churches making efforts in this area are refusing to surrender the arts to the current mainstream culture. Remember that for centuries the Church was the primary benefactor of the arts, commissioning artwork that orbited around Christ as a means of teaching Bible stories and truths about God.
Several of our church-planting missionaries are starting churches with an emphasis on using the arts to reach non-Christians and impact the culture. These churches are meeting in theaters, concert halls, dance studios and art galleries. Churches like the The 411 in Manhattan's Times Square and Sojourn in Louisville, Kentucky, offer galleries for artists to share their work. While the art is not the message, it provides a vehicle to bring the unchurched in contact with the God who loves them.
Two of the most important mission fields in North America today are our cultural centers-New York and Hollywood. The entertainment industry is filled with artists and craftsmen who desperately need to hear about the Master Designer. The North American Mission Board has commissioned a missionary to artists who use their crafts in Hollywood. Victorya Rogers is reaching out to writers, actors, set designers, music composers and many more with the gospel. By reaching non-Christians with the gospel and by supporting Christian artists, we can have a major influence on the culture in North America.
With God's influence and the creativity that comes through knowing Him in Christ, Christians can bring a higher level of meaning and worth to the arts-a contribution from which the entire world can benefit.