Ideas for art in the church

A college friend, who pastors a church, recently asked for my input on how art can help inspire, encourage and challenge.  It's taken me some time, but here are some thoughts.  To start, here's his initial question:

"The church is in a 10-year-old metal building. Everything's gray! I'm working on bringing some color into the building. Over the last few years, I have become much more sensitive to how art can inspire and encourage, not to speak of how art can challenge and "preach." But in wanting to bring art i.e., painting, sculpture, etc., into the church, I'm at a loss as to how to begin to create a plan for this or to create a financial provision for it. Looking for guidance…"

Here's what I suggest:

First, read through these books to get yourself into a proper mindset about art and the church.   One of the reasons that churches don't have much art in them is that the Church, in large part, abandoned the arts long ago, substituting sentimental popular culture for artistic depth.  If art of any kind couldn't be used for Sunday school or evangelism, it was deemed not worthy and largely ignored. Some churches create complex graphic and environmental themes to support sermon series, but they are no substitute for art in our lives – in our churches, our homes and in our spirits.

HR Rookmaker's Art needs no justification is an excellent treatise on how the Church (and Christians) has lowered its aesthetic standards,, and failed to interact with contemporary culture in a meaningful way (preferring to mimic an copy, rather than being original).

Schaeffer's Art and the Bible  is a superb work.  One of the most significant, and shortest, works on art ever written.

Current books on art and Christian faith can be found at Square Halo Books. I recommend It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God.

I feel your pain: my office is in a building on battleship gray and glass.  Were it not for the light and the color we've added; it would be thoroughly depressing.

Your environment, your existing architecture can be treated as art. Starting with color is a good place. Create BIG panels of color by staining 4x8 sheets of plywood with rich, deep color stains (not paint) to accent the industrial feel of the building – allowing the texture of the wood to show through. It doesn't need to, but as a metaphor it can speak to the beauty and transparency of grace and God's revealing work in our lives. A main panel covered in vibrant red can be a focal point to bring to the attention of the church family and to visitors the sacrifice of His blood that was made. Avoid kitsch references to any color-based evangelism tools such as color books. Remember, art needs no justification.

Too many churches try to appear so polished, so perfect, that their environment becomes merely a stage for a production and an entertainment venue; a whitewashed imitation of what the Church can be.  Art should be authentic, not amateur.  The environment in your church is spatial art. It's architecture.  If it's metal and industrial, don't try to hide it, accentuate it.

One idea to consider – (I'd love to see you do it), and done in a very small way, is to mount a series of mirrors, circular (which will look great on square walls).  Choose a series of words, or phrases such as Redeemed, I am one whom Jesus loves, Forgiven.  Have them cut in vinyl that looks like frosted glass and mounted on the mirror, and hang them on the panels, centered.  Then when an individual looks in the mirror, they see the message direct from scripture, the word that reminds them of their standing or potential in Christ.

What can you do with light, especially natural light? I am mystified by churches that so thoroughly darken a worship environment.  We worship a God of light! Why must we worship him in the dark? Light encourages the building of relationships between familiar friends and with visitors; it allows us to read the Word while it is being preached.

Art is for (God's) glory and for beauty; in Exodus the art of the tabernacle was to enhancement the environment of worship (my favorite are the pomegranates). God told Moses that he filled Bezalel with his Spirit in order to create works of art for the tabernacle. In the Hebrew it indicates he will think of what he wants to create (even though God told him exactly what he wanted), and to have the skill to create them.

Next we'll discuss specific types of art.  That's more of a challenge, and topic for another article. The environment is the first place to start, it's the canvas upon which art will hang; in which art will create an atmosphere of beauty.

Pay me to play?

Not too long ago, I had a conversation with a worship leader about the practice of paying musicians who serve on worship teams. Initially, I was surprised by the practice, as I've never ever been in a church that pays its musicians. But it may not be such a bad idea.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think for a minute that people should ever be paid to serve. Paying musicians sets a precedent for paying every volunteer, and that's not what service is about. Even if it were offered, I don't think I would accept it (there are plenty of underfunded ministries in most churches, particularly youth groups, that can use the money). Personally I don't need the money; I know plenty of professional musicians who are far better than I am and would do a far better job. If paid to play, then I'm not truly serving out of my love for God and a desire use my gifts in service.

Paying musicians would create an expectation of performance: if you are paid to play, you will be prepared; you will know your music; you will have listened to the worship set before you arrive for rehearsal. If you're not prepared, it's quickly evident, and if you're not scheduled to pay you won't get paid.

If you're like me, you serve because there is an area in the church that aligns with your gifts. You believe you have something to contribute, to the greater good, the Cause, and that by participating you're being obedient to your calling.  if nothing else, I'm prepared because that's important to me – my personal integrity is aligned with my sense of responsibility to my fellow musicians.

Just having the gifts isn't enough. The most suitable individuals to participate on a worship team may not always be the best musicians, but in a team may show surprising ability to contribute to the whole. Too often the attitude and condition of the heart are overlooked in the supposed "need" of a certain number of musicians; the effect that one individual can have on a team can be very demotivating. A right heart and musical talent is a powerful combination.

I don't want to get paid. I want to serve as a musician because I love to play music; to honor God by using these gifts before the congregation is a very high calling. We are all leaders when we are at practice or when we are on stage before the congregation or in the daily grind of life, and it's dishonoring to God if we're not prepared. Ultimately we're playing for an audience of One. Never more, never less.

I want to serve in worship in an environment where the team is valued over the individual; where we lift one another up when we are weak in our abilities and and in our faith; where everyone is ready to play and tech is ready to go when it's time to rehearse. Waiting for everybody to get ready is demotivating; my time is valuable to, please respect it.

The tension between the familiar and the new

I found a note, written during a worship seminar: "the tension between the familiar and the new."

It's a theme that is discussed frequently as we plan worship (for youth, the lovers of all things new), who actually tend to prefer the familiar, who avoid change.

On the other hand, the musicians want to do what's new, to try new songs, to do old songs new ways.

In our role of leading worship, I remind the worship team that those who in the role of worshipper (ie, not leading) will best connect with God on a personal level when the songs are familiar – when they can be sung from the heart, when the words are known, the tune recognized, the song is known.  There is comfort and reassurance in that which we know.  There is uncertainty in that which is new.

We cannot worship a stranger.  God must be known to us as personally, as familiar as the songs we sing to praise Him.  We must know Him in order to be deeply comforted and reassured.  We must know Him in order to respond to Him.

The tension that's created between the familiar and the new is a healthy one.  We will grow stale if we sing the same song. The psalmist declares  in Psalm 40 "I will sing a new song."

Embrace the tension. Sing a new song!

Am I equipping or being equipped?

Most churchgoers are simply content to do their time in the pew, toss a few coins in the plate, and drive home, content until next week.

If you're reading this, I bet you're one whom has thrown themselves into fray, seeking the arms of the Father, aware you're a prodigal, yet assured you're a beloved child.

You're serving, living a life of worship, aware that everything you do is for God's glory.  But in the back of your mind you wonder: am I properly equipped to do what I need to do?  What's expected of me?  Where are the boundaries in my service?

Which is why the church (and those who are are the gifts Christ gave to it) need to focus on equipping God's people – especially those volunteers who are equipping others.  The equipping may not be what the church leadership thinks it should be.  If you're a pastor or a ministry director, have you considered asking your volunteers what they need to be properly equipped (and how they are motivated)?

After all, the role of good communications is to understand what your audience is listening for, not what you think they need to hear.

A bit of behavioral psychology and profiling may be in order, to understand what motivates (and demotivates key volunteer leaders.  Short of that, making expectations clear for what their roles are, and then equipping and empowering individuals to serve, can make up for the behavior analysis.

In practice: If you want to serve, make the way ready.  It may be another volunteer's role to prepare the way, in order for you to step in and serve.  It may be your role to prepare the way for another. Are both of you prepared?

This is not church

In over 30 years of serving as a volunteer in church ministry, I've scrubbed toilets, taught children and adult Sunday schools, led a church board, served as an elder, led a small group, cut grass, participated in construction projects, shoveled snow, sung in choirs, played in a praise band, and served as a worship leader. I'm sure I neglected to list a few activities.

Most have been enjoyable and fulfilling. Surprisingly, the leadership roles have been those that have left me feeling relieved when they are over; the roles where somebody else is leading leave me grateful that indeed, somebody else is leading. (And it's always a blessing when they are a capable leader). It's a challenge to remain optimistic, idealistic and excited about the next opportunity.

Recently, in listening to some volunteers who worked very long and diligently on a summer VBS program – hours of preparation, practice, setup – I heard the question "Where is God in ministry?" Where was He in all the long hours, the frustrations, the interpersonal drama?

We serve because we believe in God first, and with the passion for the ministry second. At least that's how it should be. This is not church; this is life.  Embrace it!