16 Lessons On The Value And Challenge Of Having Artists And Creative Leaders In Today’s Church

July 21, 2013 2 Comments

His name is John Brown.  While his name is common, he is anything but.  John is a gifted painter.  He is an artist in the truest sense of the word.  Because he is classically trained, I deeply value his opinion of artists and the role they play in today’s church.
I scheduled breakfast with him today to talk through the role art plays in society, the local church, and leadership.  As part of our time together, he went over the two books shown above.  There were several lessons he taught me which I will cover in future posts but I was particularly moved by what is known as Plato’s Cave.
If you are unfamiliar with this parable (and I was) here is how John described it:
Plato’s Cave describe a group of people who have lived chained in a semi-circle to the wall of a cave all of their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall by things passing in front of the sun or a fire behind them, and begin to ascribe forms to these shadows. These shadows are as close as the prisoners get to viewing reality. However, one of the prisoners turns around and looks at the object and then tells the other prisoners the true form of reality rather than the mere shadows seen by the other prisoners.
Those who turn around and interpret for others what is real are the artists.
The following are John’s additional thoughts which have significant meaning for church leaders:

• God made creative people to express His world.
• He made them hyper-sensitive (they turn around) to events others do not notice.
• Satan uses this hyper-sensitivity because artists are more willing to accept things normal people would not.  They will then create strange things like New Age.  They also get into drugs and bizarre things more easily.
• King David was an artist.  As a shepherd he saw God and things of this world in a way others did not and was moved by its beauty.  He also looked at the wrong thing and was moved by its beauty.
• Most creatives don’t understand how special they are because no one told them they were special at an early age.
• Creatives are supposed to be used but are treated like black sheep because they don’t fit the norm.  As a result, “normals” make fun of them.
• As an artist, you’re a nobody until somebody says, “That’s a great work of art.”  Then you’re somebody.
• Artists suffer a lot because of their hyper-sensitivity.  God uses that suffering to create from it.  Great art is an escape from the pain of their hyper-sensitivity.

I think took a moment to speak with John about the most famous piece of art ever made, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.  The following are his thoughts:

• The Mona Lisa has a reputation because people think she’s smiling.
• da Vinci was a sculptor, a painter, an architect, but primarily a scientist.
• He had heart and depth.  He saw things a different way, thinking beyond the surface, pulling life out of the being.
• Musicians are a challenge.  The words of the songs have heart but how much do words get into them?

I then pressed in and asked John, “If Leonardo da Vinci joined a church today, what would we do with him?”  John’s answers were fascinating.

• Churches are limited.  You can use musicians.
• You would use da Vinci to reach other creatives like you use a former drug addict to reach drug addicts.
• He would re-do the sanctuary.  Remember, he’s a scientist.  The sanctuary would be much more aesthetic.
• The room would be much more visual.  You would get a deeper spiritual feeling.  Paintings would be all over the walls as would preliminary designs and even some wild concepts.

I said, “John, shouldn’t the church be the most unlimited place in the world?”
He responded, “Don’t forget the work of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit keeps things in line and from becoming too wild.”
He then concluded by saying, “The Holy Spirit will always use creatives.  Remember, they’re creative.  They will always find a way to use their gifts.”
A few critical questions for pastors and church leaders:
Are you identifying artists and creatives at an early age and giving them a platform?
Are you affirming artists and creatives leaders by telling them how special they are?
And one more probing question – If Leonardo da Vinci joined your church, what would you do with him?
Let me know your thoughts.  We need to learn from each other how to reach, disciple, and allow artists to use their gifts.