on prophets in the wilderness…
I sat down the other night to make a list of topics I wanted to post about. One of them is the question of whether or not artists need to be in the Church in order to make art for the Church. My answer might be a little surprising considering how passionate I am about seeing art used in the church, but frankly I think the answer for the most part is no. Now, obviously that comes with some clarifications.
In the simplest and strictest sense, does an artist need to be in church on Sunday morning. On that account I would most definitely argue no. Artists are by and large eccentrics. Heck, right now I’m sitting out on my parents deck at 2am writing this because I’m not tired and it’s a good 10 degrees cooler outside than inside. I think one of the problems between artists and the church has been that we dont’ fit well into rigid structures. If a church makes attendance to a 1 hour service at 9am on Sunday morning the quid pro quo for recognition as part of the community, artists will rarely if ever be part of that community. However, I do believe it is vital that artists be part of SOME Christian community.
I realize this might sound a little like I’m trying to have my late night cake and eat it too, but returning to the metaphor of artists as prophets helps clarify this point. Just as there were artists in the Old Testament, there were also temple priests. Both served important role, but both lived in far different circumstances. Where the priests were highly revered and a central part of life in the temple and courts of the king, prophets lived on the periphery. While priests were charged with guiding the people of God on a daily and weekly basis, prophets only spoke when commanded. They certainly had the fear and respect of the people, but they lived outside the city gates, sometimes even in the wilderness away from others for extended periods of time.
So, do artists need to be present on Sunday morning in order to speak with authority about the life and health of the Church? I would argue no. But at the same time, I would caution artists who want to sit on the sidelines and throw stones, do not be shocked when your intentions and sincerity are questioned. It is not because you are being persecuted, it’s because you are not living in community as God has called you to. Artists must make their hearts known to the Church and the Church must accept them, unconventional though they may be, because they often have an important message to deliver.
