Page 30 - Empowering Missional Artists - Jim Mills.pdf

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deficiency.” (Greenslade 1984, ix) Therefore, in the work of Creative Missions International,

Inc via our European arm, Creative Arts Europe, we continue to focus on depth of character as

the cornerstone of life and service. We continue to call the artists to ‘keep the main thing, the

main thing.’

ARTIST LEADERSHIP: SOME OF GOD’S WAYS AND MEANS

All of these training experiences actually prepared us for the work of discipling a new

generation of artists. Working with our artist-teachers also was a source of education. We also

realized that a fundamental shift in the thinking of the entire community of the church at large

was necessary in order to see a new parade of God’s artists discipled and empowered.

It is important to say, that character formation for artists is truly no different from God’s

formation for any of his children and especially leaders. Yet artists are a people group in

themselves, and to effectively serve any people group, it is necessary to study, pray for, and

understand their uniqueness in order to effectively mentor or disciple them. God’s formation in

all our lives is a patch quilt result of DNA transference from a number of different resources. This

is a grace process. The Lord passes His DNA through people in our lives. His ways and means

for discipleship formation include parents, pastors, educators, and also mentors. Sometimes He

even uses entire organizations and yes, of course, there is adversity. Through all these God

grafts His marvelous perspectives, character, and value system into our hearts and lives.

Some thoughts on each of the resources are important to share at this point. The parental

roles are certainly the first and of monumental importance. We arrive at adolescence either

deeply wounded or reasonably well-adjusted through the influence of our parent’s leadership.

My own Father passed on the marvelous DNA and legacy of integrity for my life. My Mother

passed to me the beauty of simple faith towards God. In addition, the parent’s worldview and

value system heavily influence a child’s formation and development. The parent’s worldview is