Arts Blog : Church, Books Music Movies and the Arts

A Place for Doubt

Pam Howell — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:07:00 GMT

Okay, I know you are busy preparing for Good Friday and Easter Services. But ... after Easter, if you haven't already read John Ortberg's book Faith & Doubt , pick it up. In the mean time, here is what to keep in mind for this weekend. God...(read more)

Try on The Blue Sweater

Pam Howell — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:36:00 GMT

This is a fantastic story of one woman's journey to understand world poverty and what she could do to combat it - what we can do to overcome it. Jacqueline Novogratz, the author of The Blue Sweater, moved me with her stories, challenged me with her...(read more)

A Stretching CD From Aaron Niequist

Nancy Beach — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:47:00 GMT

I've been enjoying - and stretched by - the most recent CD from worship leader Aaron Niequist (formerly from Mars Hill in Grand Rapids). With Broken Fists takes listeners to deeper places I'm hoping all of us will go to - places where we surrender ourselves to God for his purposes of advancing the kingdom and bringing about social justice. The very first song, Resistance, calls us to being a part of the resistance, a movement of God that refuses to settle for the way things are. How refreshing to think thoughts about leveraging our gifts for holy purposes through songs of worship. Aaron is one of several songwriters these days who is expanding our language beyond songs of comfort and songs of praise – all of which certainly have their place – to songs of action, confession, and transformation of our broken planet. Many of his songs propel me out of my cushy, predictably routine life to want to risk something bigger for God. In the third session of the arts conference this year, I will be interviewing Brian McLaren, and asking him to help us answer these questions: What can church artists do to make a difference in solving some of the biggest problems in our world? Do we have anything unique to offer? What is our role? I can’t wait to unpack with Brian some of his tremendous thinking from his book, Everything Must Change. That session will also include some video and dramatic pieces we’ve used at our church to awaken the congregation toward justice. As much as any other session, I’m looking forward to that one.

The Last Lecture

Pam Howell — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 02:20:00 GMT

Did anyone catch The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life? ABC and Diane Sawyer told the story of Randy Pausch. Randy is a husband, father of 3 beautiful children, and an inspiration to many people around the world. In September of 2006, Randy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His condition is terminal. In September, Randy delivered his last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University, where he was a professor in the computer-science department. The lecture made it to the intranet and to date has been viewed by over 6 million people. One of the most moving portions of the program last night was hearing how his story has changed the way people live their lives. He inspired them to change their thinking and to live differently. Artists and teachers have the same opportunity each weekend, tell the story of a life transformed by Jesus Christ. A few weeks back the creative team at my church weaved 3 people’s story about how God has used His Word to speak to them and change their lives, with music and the spoken word. It was beautiful and inspiring. It helped me remember how faithful God’s Word has been to me and my family. I was wondering how you have been telling stories at your church. What creative elements have been supporting your stories?

Rediscovering Awe in Las Vegas

Nancy Beach — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:27:00 GMT

Recently I spent a few days with some key arts leaders from around the country in Las Vegas. Yes, we went to Vegas. Together we explored what the arts movement is all about, which boils down to Rediscovering Awe – the kind of awe those first believers experienced in the glorious days of the early church. Acts chapter 2 tells us that “Everyone was filled with awe.” During our morning session, I attempted to use words to describe my passion for why we long to see a sense of awe in all of our churches, to marvel in wonder at transcendent moments where people are more closely connected to God through the arts and teaching. But honestly, my words weren’t even close to adequate – I could not seem to match the compelling energy in my soul with the language coming out of my mouth. Then as a team, we all attended the Love show produced by Cirque de Soleil. And we experienced awe together that night. If you haven’t heard about this latest offering from the Montreal genius Cirque team, I will attempt to explain it – but again, words are terribly weak and inadequate! Featuring a gorgeous soundtrack of the best of the Beatles, this multi-dimensional experience includes acrobatics, dance, and stunning visual displays woven together in a 90 minute non-stop glorious journey. We were all afraid to blink in case we missed something! I found myself gasping and whooping and stunned by what I was feeling throughout the show. The craftsmanship was staggeringly beautiful, with the Cirque team leveraging every resource their palate allowed. I can only say, “You must try to see this production!” The next morning when our group gathered again, I confessed my frustration at my mediocre attempts to be a vision caster for awe the previous day. But then I pointed to what we experienced together at Love, and said, “That’s what I’m talking about!” We should feel moments like that in church – because all truth is God’s truth, and those who crafted the magnificent Love experience are men and women formed in the image of our Sovereign God, the Masterful Designer whose handiwork far surpasses anything that emanates from Montreal! Arts leaders in church may not have the budgets and stages like those of the Cirque team – but we have creative spirits, hearts that can hear the whispers of the Spirit, and skills we can employ toward the crafting of moments filled with wonder. Yes, gasping and whooping can happen on Sunday mornings when we harness our God-given gifts and apply ourselves diligently to telling His story. For that is what our friends at Cirque do not have – a compelling, redemptive, timeless, glorious story. What would happen if the best of the arts world was applied to God’s Story? A whole lot of gasping…and a rediscovery of awe.

Showing R-Rated Movie Clips in Church

Nancy Beach — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:25:00 GMT

I heard from an arts leader in California this week who was struggling with whether it’s advisable or not to show a scene from an R-rated film in church, assuming the scene itself is appropriate. Would the church be seen to be endorsing the entire movie, and is that ok? I thought back to some of these decisions at our church, and remembered that we showed a clip from We Were Soldiers and Saving Private Ryan, and I think those are R-rated. My friend wondered if the decision was to go ahead, do we need some kind of verbal or written disclaimer, stating that we are not necessarily recommending the film, acknowledging its rating, and leaving the decision to the discernment of each attender? So what do you think? How have you handled this in your church? I would love to hear from you, and so would my friend.

Move that Bus!

Pam Howell — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:07:00 GMT

I love it! I love a story about someone who reaches out for help and finds more than they ever dreamed. I’m sure that is why I love ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover. I have often said that this show has redeemed television’s reputation. I just watched a Grandma fall to her knees as a bus pulled away to reveal her hope… home for her four grandchildren. It made me think about the church and that dramatic ‘move that bus’ kind of hope we bring to people’s lives. I wish we had the ability to hear what is going on in people’s minds as they sit and watch dramas, dances and videos. I wish you could know the buses that are being moved away to reveal hope as they listen to your stories, songs and messages. It has been more than 30 years ago but I remember the story that gave me hope…I was a high school student sitting in someone’s basement listening to a 20-something talk about his time in prison. It was in a foreign prison that the church reached out to him and convinced him that God had a deep love for him and would be there for him. And then he moved the bus…he told me that God loved me and would be there for me…any time, any where. I so desperately wanted to believe him. I wanted someone who would be there for me always. It was some months later that I fully embraced that truth but that evening the bus moved away revealing my heart’s home…so now many years later I fall to my knees in gratitude.