Making Church Art

Art is a personal gift that changes the recipient.— Seth Godin from Linchpin

I have been on a kick over the past few weeks reading Seth Godin.  I have read Purple Cow.  I have read Tribes. Now, as  I write this, I am reading Linchpin.  I’m not going into a description of these books.  However, the quote above stuck out to me as I read it.  And it made me wonder.  It made me wonder about how this applies to church.

For a lot of us, art in church stops when we get out of kiddie church.  We stop coloring, drawing pictures and playing with PlayDough.  But if we look at art differently, then it never truly disappeared.

We who are a part of the Church have been changed.  If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation.  What changed them?  What changed us?  Of course, it is Christ who changed us.  But how did He do it?

I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory, to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

Someone told us the story.  Yes, there is doctrine in it.  Yes, there is theology behind it.  Yes, there are facts in it.  But at the heart of it, there is a story.  An old, old Story.  And what is a story?  At its best its art.  And this is the best Story of all, isn’t it?

This is a story that comes directly from the throne of God and changes the recipient.

So, how does that quote apply to church?

We have received the greatest art possible from God.  We have received the Story.

Are we letting that Art, that Story change how we do church?

Are we simply trying to teach some facts in Sunday School or bible study today?  Or are we creating art that will change our lives?  Are we telling the Story?

Are simply singing songs that will entertain us for a few minutes?  Or are we creating art?  Are we telling the Story?

How about the sermon?  Are we sitting there passively waiting for lunch?  Or are we creating art with the pastor?  Are we participating in the Story?

How about anything else we do in church?  Are we telling the Story?

What difference would this make in our churches if the Story was driving what we did?  What if we approached everything we did in church as being great, exceptional and true Art?

What about the other six days of the week?  Is the Story driving what we do?

How about you?  Are you making church Art?  Do you love to tell the Story?  In everything you do?

The Weekly Round-Up 2/25/12

Thanks for stopping by to see what happened in Deuceology Land this week.  It was a pretty good week.  Traffic seems to have been up, but best of all comments have increased.

Sunday’s post was How To Be A Linchpin In Your Church.

On Monday, First Church Year #5 continued our first year in our new church.

Tuesday was a good day with What Size Is Your Crayon?

Wednesday’s post proved popular with Stop Living The Dream.

Thursday had the post of the week with Southern Great Commission Baptists???

Friday ended the week with Skip Like A Calf.

I added a Speaking Schedule page.  Nothing is there yet, but as I begin my campground speaking in May, those dates will appear.  Also, any other opportunities will appear there as well.

Thanks for your support of Deuceology.  You are what makes this thing enjoyable.  I love your visits and your comments.

 

How To Be A Linchpin In Your Church

Are you a linchpin in your church?

I’m currently reading Seth Godin’s Linchpin.  In it, Godin describes a linchpin as someone who is indispensable.  My own take on it is that a linchpin is someone whose absence would make a huge difference.

Who are the linchpins in your church?  Are you one of them?

I’m not talking about folks who do a lot of work.  They could be just cogs in the factory of your church.

I’m not talking about big fish in the little ponds of church structure.  People like that come and go.

I’m talking about people who really make a difference in the way the church is supposed to be.

I’m talking about the members of the body who are functioning according to their purpose.  If they are an arm, they are being the best arm they can be.  If an eye, the best.  If they are a knee, a knee.  They know who they are in Christ and the church and serve accordingly, happily and joyfully.

I’m talking about the people who know why they are assembling every Sunday.  They are there to worship, but the way they do that is different from anyone else.  They are there to stimulate others to love  and good deeds.  They are there encouraging each other.  These are woven into their worship, not just on Sunday, but every day of the week.

Joyful servers.  Encouragers.

These are the people who are linchpins.  You notice when they aren’t there.  They stand out.  You love being around them.

Are you a linchpin?