Is there a trust between Christian Artist and the church?

“Let me tell you why you are here.  You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.  If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?  You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. “Here’s another way to put it:  You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.  God is not a secret to be kept.  We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill, If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives.  By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in Heaven.”  Matthew 5:13-16 (The Message)

Last November, the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in Grand Rapids, Michigan hosted their annual Symposium with the focus on the Sermon on the Mount.  They invited Denise Kufus Weyhrich to install a project entitled “Beacon” that spoke towards the scripture of Matthew 5:13-16.   This undertaking evolved into sculptured mounds of rock salt pooled with 99 illuminated saltshakers.  Weyhrichs’ hope was to build the trust of churches to begin to embrace the power of the Arts and the Christian artist.

“Beacon” Installation

Denise Weyhrich on Trust, Churches, and How Installation Art Can Minister from Calvin Worship Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Is there a trust between Christian Artist and the Church?

Are there opportunities for the Christian Artist to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ at your church?

From time to time, I have held this very discussion with various Christian Artist of different disciplines and interestingly enough – there is one common thread – the desire to share their “Arts Seasoned by Faith” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ at their church. That sounds like a simple request to make.  Yet, I know that embracing the Arts is a bold and daring move in the church community throughout the world.

Who’s willing to take that this challenge?

Who’s willing to take that next step towards the Art’s for faith’s sake?

Let’s consider this:  if given the opportunity, the Arts could reveal some unspoken truths that reaches and transforms the souls of men – be it visual, dance, music, dramatic, poetry, or spoken word.  The fusion of the Arts in Worship could bring out a burst of the God-Flavors of the earth; as well as, the God Colors of the world. That’s some pretty powerful imagery, right there!

Has your church considered the Arts as an opportunity to engage others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Or, are you an artist who would love an opportunity to share your “Art seasoned by Faith”?

Salt and Light Arts is your place to meet other artist and/or churches who desire to embrace the Arts – who desire to share their “God-Flavors and God-Colors” with this community.

Please share your comments here! I would love to hear from you and your experiences of the “Arts seasoned by Faith!”

p.s. For those of you who were there at the launch of this website on June 28, 2013 this was the first article written….3.26.15