The most common comments I receive about creative worship fall into two categories. “How can I be more creative?” and “That must take a long time to do”. I think both observations are true, so here are some thoughts from a lifetime based on reflecting about them.
From the beginning God is described as creator. Jesus, as wisdom or the Word is present creating and sustaining. The Holy Spirit is the wind that breathes life in matter, and she goes where she wills, gently cutting through stone over eons and whipping up a storm when the time is right. I’d argue then, that as a Christian taking time to be aware of the presence of God is how to become more creative, and that this is the best use of time we can make as human beings. Investing this time in responding to a deepening relationship with God through works of art, makes you an artist.
Art is partly application of skills in shaping reality developed in practice, and partly recognising beauty in the experiences of living. If you draw something (seen or imagined), or take a photo, sculpt, write or sing a song, your ability to do so will improve with practice. Taking the time out to do these two thing, and finding the support to help you form an honest appraisal of your successes and failures is a challenge.
For example, an offhand disparaging remark, or too many well meaning, but uncritical, comments can knock down an artists confidence for years as trust crumbles. Many people will remember such experiences from youth that leave scars which last well into an adulthood of saying “I could never do that”, or “I am just not creative …”. Even if an artist has achieved the mastery of several disciplines and has the technical skill to produce work that astonishes the observer, they will still be vulnerable because in a way every piece of artwork is a question the artist doesn’t know the answer to.
Perhaps this vulnerability comes from the elusive nature of Beauty and Truth. Whilst both are obvious when known and in the eye of the beholder, the human experience is diverse and one of making mistakes. Artists live in a place of asking the questions and providing answers that will lead to more questions. This separates them and their work from that of crafters and AI bots no matter how technically adept the manufacturing process used.
When someone says “That must take a long time to do” or “I would never have thought of that” they are often correct. However the length of time is usually far longer than they imagine. As well as the time taken to set up the piece, there is also the time learned developing the technical skills, finding the materials and other resources, and making the many failed projects through which learning occurs. Without a supporting community that creates opportunities and an environment within which creativity can flourish people are unlikely to have the ideas, or the opportunity to turn those ideas into art.
This is why the Wordsmith Crafts workshop is made available as an asset. Hands on learning about fleece and beeswax, or turning gathered materials into dye and photos into blog posts are part of the process. The Making Space sessions and other informal gatherings provide ‘soil’ in which ‘seeds’ of ideas can flourish and then be used in acts of leading worship through art. Quartz activities like CLC and Forest Church meetings help develop this creative environment. Embedding this within the wider creative community and seeking inspiration in unexpected places as well as tradition hopefully maintains the connection with Gods unfolding creative work.
As I write the next creative worship activity I will be involved in will be at the Contemporary service on Sunday the 22nd where I’m helping Andy Brooke explore the theme of “Tension”. Artistic influences for this service will include Der Lauf der Dinge a 1987 art film by Peter Fischli and David_Weiss. OK Go, This Too Shall Pass
and other “Rube Goldberg” machines.
As you imagine this might take some time, and will require a significant amount of experimentation to discover somethings which will work – functionally and worshipfully. If you’d like to be involved why not come to a “Making Space” on the 9th or 12th of September.