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Performing vs. Ministering.
Introduction:
Christian artists are prey to temptations like anyone else. Of
particular danger are:
- treating what we do as ONLY a performance or entertainment,
- letting the positive feedback (when it happens) inflate our egos.
This may be acceptable in a secular amateur dramatics group, but for a
Christian group, this will negate what we are trying to achieve, and
interfere with our own worship during the presentation. If we are not
ourselves worshipping, then how can we minister to others?
Important thought the performing arts are to our outreach effort,
Revelation are not just "entertainers" giving a "performance" to an
"audience". It's not just a show; we are trying to present the Gospel in
a more accesible way in the 20th & 21st centuries.
Even then, we must remember that it is not we who reach out to convert or revive those who attend
our presentations. It is the word of God and the example of Jesus that
reaches out to touch people's lives. It's a humbling thought.
I was very pleased therefore to find the following article by Jeffrey
Smith on his new "Salt & Light Ministries" web site. He too is concerned
about this, and offers some scriptural insights that are useful for
Christian artists everywhere. The article is reproduced here with his
kind permission. I also recommend you visit his site (via our Christian Links page) to see what he is up to in
the field of Christian Ministry through the performing arts.
Douglas Brown, February 19th 1999.
Much Ado About Something...
by Jeffrey C. Smith
Just got back from a Creative Ministry Festival in Charlotte, NC. Hal
Melton and his Curtain Call committee put on a wonderful weekend of
ministry and performance culminating in a creative worship service on
Sunday morning. I was greatly encouraged by the quality of the
performances that I saw, especially in dance and drama. There’s a sense
that many local ministries are "taking up arms" to improve the quality
of their craft in ministry which is very encouraging to those of us who
are called to equip these teams and individuals.
After my last training session on Saturday night, a woman approached me
about a problem she was having with her creative ministry team. She was
troubled about the spiritual condition of her group (a creative movement
team). It seems the teens were more motivated to perform rather than
minister. Those of us who have been in the "performing arts" for any
length of time can relate. Every well-meaning handshake and hearty
"amen" stroke the fires of our egos and have to be continually put at
bay by the power of God within us. Paul was driven to boasting in his
second letter to the Corinthians but finished with these thoughts:
"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that
Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight
in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in
difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor 12:9b-10).
It was a temptation EVEN FOR THE APOSTLE PAUL to flaunt his
accomplishments and wallow in his glories. That is why, in part, he was
given the enigmatic "thorn in the flesh" he discusses just prior to the
passage above. But know this fellow laborer:
CONCEIT will destroy the ministry that has God has called you to do.
Pride is the root of original sin. There is no place for it in the life
of the believer or believer-artist. But, saying it and living it may the
greatest dichotomy of our spiritual walk in front of the spotlight.
So what was my advice to this woman? Actually, a bystander provided a
provoking insight. He said, "Send them on a missions trip." The truth of
what he was saying rang loud and clear. When a dispute broke out amongst
the disciples as to who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God,
Jesus replied, "For he who is least among you all – he is the greatest."
(Luke 9:48b) Again, after Jesus had washed his disciple’s feet in the
Upper Room he told them, "I have set you an example that you should do
as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than
his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now
that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John
13:15-17) We must walk humbly before our God, if we are to be EFFECTIVE
witnesses of the Gospel. Acts of service can teach us all humility,
which is the warring spirit to fight pride. We can not only promote
excellence in our craft! If we are called and set apart for the work of
sharing the Gospel through creative expression, we must "act justly,
love mercy, and walk humbly with our God." Out of that relationship all
truth in our ministry will flow.
I’d like to close with this thought about our Lord. In John 6, Jesus fed
five thousand people with five loaves and two fish. Later in the same
chapter, he walks on water! Man, what a show! It would be so easy to hop
on the bandwagon and go for the ride. Free food! Good times! But Jesus,
knowing their thoughts, takes them to task. "Whoever eats my flesh and
drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him." (John 6:56). Wow, I can
just see the exodus! Eventually, we must all face the hard truth that
there is a cost to following Christ. And so, we must all DAILY examine
our hearts and discern our motives. WHY are we doing the things we do?
Even if we do them well…even the best they’ve ever been done…if it’s not
born out of our love for God and our desire to SERVE him it is wood,
hay, and stubble.
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