Page 28 - Empowering Missional Artists - Jim Mills.pdf

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The jest of what I shared went something like this: “You cannot make artists out of even

willing adults unless they already have a history of art’s training. You have to begin earlier for

instance with teens.” At that point, my head and heart went into high gear: “Host an arts

conference for teens and call it, the Next Generation – Arts & Creativity. Do this for 12-19 year

olds. Do it in the midst of the city: Invite artists who are solid Christians and who work in the real-

world arts scene, to teach workshops. Plan on 15-25 different arts workshops, depending on the

number of teens you have. The Bible students can help with this program as hosts to the artists,

practical assistants, administrators, intercessors and also serve as translators.” I went on to say,

“as a result of the Bible student’s involvement they will gain a vision for the arts and their

worldview will be broadened. The artists will be the role models for these teens investing a vision

for serving God as artists in culture. Run this event in the church context so that leaders,

pastors, and church members will be exposed to artists who know God. Allow the artists to

perform on Sundays. One of the final evenings you should run a ‘window into the workshops’ as

a celebration of all that has been learned over the week. The workshops should not be

rehearsals, but rather arts training. No evangelistic pieces should be taught, just the language

and alphabet of the art forms. The artists should have an evening where they share from their

lives in their workshop with their teens, on how the Lord called them into their chosen career

venue. Finally, run this event also in the city, which is the cradle of culture, so that you can

engage the city around you and disseminate Gospel truth and light.”

I caught my breath for a moment as I was getting excited, when they suddenly interrupted

me and said, “we’ll do it.” Then I said, “You’ll do what?” They said, “We will do just what you

said.” I was dumbfounded. I repeated myself to them, “so you will do what I just said?” And

they answered, “Yes – yes.” Then they asked me a question that I had rarely been asked before

from any church leader to date, “how much money do you want to run the event, and how much

shall we pay the artists?” I was overwhelmed. Without even asking for money, they were