Page 47 - Empowering Missional Artists - Jim Mills.pdf

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This movement of believing artists provides as “Peter Berger, the sociologist wrote . . .

‘signals of transcendence’ that discerning people see in the world as evidence of God’s

presence.” (Quick 2003, 27) They long to leave a deposit of the hope that has filled their hearts

in their societies through their artistic endeavors. They are very aware that all art, either

positively or negatively influences and effects culture and their desire is to effect culture for the

Kingdom of heaven’s sake. These postmodern visionaries need our prayers, our support, and

our affirmation as leaders as they go about lighting up the corridors of culture, glorifying their

Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

FINALE: THE ART OF LEADERSHIP

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The word finale… the closing part, scene, or number in a public performance.

The true finale of one’s life is the fruit that he or she bears in the future. It is as Leighton Ford

announced, “the art of leadership dwells a good deal in the future.” (Ford 1991, 273) This is

certainly true of one history’s great prolific mentors and communicators. In the wake of his

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leadership, he produced profound voices in his future who significantly influenced the 20
century. That leader was George MacDonald (1824-1905) and CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien were

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two that he profoundly influenced among others in the 20 century. Both look back to this man of

God, as one of the significant mentors who empowered them through his works.

MacDonald was a pastor, novelist, poet, storyteller and actor, and was also a prophetic

voice who, throughout his ministry employed “the pen as his pulpit “…“used fiction to show the

relevance of scriptural truth to the problems of his age.” (Johnson 2005) His works, still speak

today. Through this man, God stirred up a generation of servant artists including Lutwidge

Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carol, as well as many other cultural reformers and artists.

They served their generation and ours really, for Jesus sake! The three-fold purpose of the

Victorian Visionaries, for which MacDonald was the figurehead, was to reform society, challenge

the church, and inspire the imagination. MacDonald was a passionate faithful preacher and