I was attending the TCA College graduation. Since 2006 I've been teaching college level theatre courses to those who want to use drama/creative arts in ministry. At the reception, I meet and get into conversation with a Board Member and a Richard Goetz professor of Theology, who comments about the power of the arts, and how Christian Churches are missing out on embracing the arts for worship and outreach. I feel like we're clicking in this conversation, so I make a comment along these lines:
I went home last night and saw an interview with this faculty member in the Graduation Booklet:
Ooops. I now imagine that he thought my comments were in critical response to his interview. Duh. Nope, I was just being guilelessly honest about my experience and what I wrestle with as an artist.
I struggle sometimes with the paradox of generating excitement for practicing arts as ministry, because there will never be any income in it to speak of. I've spent my entire life devoted to exploring how to use arts in ministry, and though the thanks and praise were abundant, only on one hand can I count the years I was remunerated more than $500. That's what some churches will pay a one time guest speaker. And yet, they'll ask me to work longer and harder preparing a sketch for worship that supports his message....
Still, God has given me this passion and calling, so I keep having to put such facts at his feet. He has always provided for me, in other ways, but it's harder to have faith in his provision for my students, when I know they are destined to have the same sense of being devalued for the gifts in ministry God has given them and I am fanning into flame.
I went home last night and saw an interview with this faculty member in the Graduation Booklet:
"My passion is for the classroom...I told myself that this was so great that I will do this even if they don't pay me. When you find your passion you know it, because you can honestly say I will do this even if they did not pay me."
Ooops. I now imagine that he thought my comments were in critical response to his interview. Duh. Nope, I was just being guilelessly honest about my experience and what I wrestle with as an artist.
