In my last article, I mentioned how my wife once asked a girl and the music of which church her band was a member of, to which she replied, “We don’t go to a church. Is the group our church?they tend to be independent, especially since artistic creation is often a solo effort. As a musician and artist, you could easily go in that direction. But as a pastor, I have come to understand over the years how every believer, especially artists, desperately needs and enjoys the church immeasurably. In my last article, I gave 4 reasons why artists need the church, and here are five more:
“Let us serve one another, each according to the gift he has received, as good administrators of God’s multiple grace” (1 Peter 4. 10).
- Many artists feel that their gift exists to express themselves or recognize themselves.
- I really appreciate Ivan.
- A member of our church who is a painter and art teacher who uses his talent to serve the children and parents of our church.
- Detailed and funny murals of island scenes for our?Children’s Island ???? monkeys with antifaces and swords.
- Pelicans with pirate hats among palm trees and beaches.
- I love to point out to guests the detail he painted in the eye of a large turtle Ivan’s wife.
- Gina.
- Also an artist.
- Serves our teenagers transforming our church for their encounters with cheerful and colorful decorations.
Barry, our lead guitarist, performs in two bands, where he swears his face with his fast guitar solos. However, on Sunday mornings he stays behind the singers, worshipping God with pleasant and soft touches that complement the other musicians, to produce a song that helps the cult of the congregation. Like Ivan, Gina, and Barry, artists need the church to use their gifts in the service of others.
?? to speak to one another in psalms, to sing and praise the Lord with spiritual hymns and chants?(Ephesians 5:19).
“The word of Christ remains rich in you; Are they taught and counseled wisely, praising God with spiritual psalms, hymns, and chants with gratitude in his heart?(Colossses 3:16).
God wants his people to adore him together. Yes, we can sing for Jesus by driving our car or making a sculpture in our workshop, but we must also sing with other believers. Our worship with others is a glimpse into heaven, where we will sing to Jesus with people from all tribes, languages, and nation. There is no escape from this, the Christian life must not be lived alone, we live it with our brothers in faith.
“If someone wants to defeat one of them, they will both resist it; Doesn’t the triple rope break easily?(Ecclesiastes 4. 12).
“Take the burdens of others and thus fulfill the law of Christ?(Galatians 6. 2).
God doesn’t want us to live alone. He gives us brothers and sisters to share our struggles and help us carry our burdens. Yes, I usually solve my artistic challenges alone. I don’t need to tell others that ‘I really have difficulty getting the right shade of cadmium orange. ‘in this landscape. ‘ But sometimes I need to ask others to pray for me if I’m discouraged or worried about a family member. And I have to help my brothers and sisters carry their burdens. Remember the movie “The Castaway?” The main character, Chuck Noland (played by Tom Hanks) is alone on an island after his plane crashes into the Pacific, takes a Wilson volleyball from an order, which has an impression of blood, draws a face on the ball and begins talking to him. We’re just not meant to live alone.
A gallery in Pittsburgh contains my paintings. The first time I met the owner and manager, I took a book from a coffee table to examine my paintings, they encouraged me in my work and asked me if I was painting to support myself, I told them I was single in Bachelor of Arts in college and master’s degree in painting. Then I told them I was a shepherd.
For a few seconds they seemed shocked or perplexed, as if painting and preaching did not coincide. I don’t think pastors can imagine themselves as artists. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to share parts of the gospel with them. However, one of my favorite moments was last year, when I was gently offered a solo performance. Many of my friends at the church attended the inauguration. Then one of the ladies said to my wife, “It was my favorite opening of the ones we had, because all your friends are so kind. “
Was this the highlight of my day? I know that my brothers and sisters showed this woman the love of Jesus. I’m very grateful for my church.
If you are a musician, potter, chef, actor or any type of artist, I hope these items have encouraged you to enter the church. In the last article I mentioned a young woman who said, “We’re not going to a church. Is the group our church? I hope he matures in a church now. For her and for the church. If not, then he loses all kinds of blessings and benefits, and some churches miss the wonderful gifts God has given him to share with others. I’m certainly glad the group isn’t my church. And I’m really happy that my church is my church!