MIM Ezine, November 25, 2008

-- Running A.M.O.K. Creative Arts Ministry: Why Do Artists Get a Pass?, by D.C. Weiss.

-- Book Review: "Beyond Me: Living a You-First Life in a Me-First World",by Kathi Macias, reviewed by Tom Hanover.

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Jeff and I recently took a trip back to California for our son’s graduation from DeVry University in Freemont. After moving him from his dorm into a shared apartment, we had a couple days to visit with friends before our flight back to North Carolina and this included an opportunity to visit our former church on Sunday.

If you’ve ever left a position and gone back for a visit you probably know what an odd and somewhat uncomfortable feeling it is. Human nature tends to kick in and you find yourself hoping that during your absence your former place of employment has gone to H*E* Double hockey sticks in a hand basket because no one could manage without you.

The other part of you, which wrestles with knowing this is a very vain attitude, hopes that maybe your former place of employment has somehow managed to survive and perhaps even thrived since your departure. Then there’s always the awkwardness of having said “good-bye” for what you thought was the last time with perhaps a few strained relationships because you weren’t exactly on the same page as that place of ministry and/or employment and having to come face-to-face with those same people and discovering that you are further “off” the page than you were before.

This is the position we found ourselves in when we decided, after a bit of wrestling, to visit our former church in California. It is true. It’s hard to go home again, especially when one of the reasons you left was because you felt you and your church were headed in two different directions.

Upon setting foot in our old stomping grounds we found things very much the same and only slightly altered. In our ten month absence, the church had grown from 550 attendance to 600. Worship, which had been migrating toward perfected performance, was cranked up a notch more. On each side of the stage were branches lit with orange halloweenish lights to convey a harvest theme. Mist from a misting machine rose from the stage. Music team members raised their hands in unified, rehearsed manner meant to convey a worshipful attitude. Except for one new song, the same old contemporary worship songs were played with the same PowerPoint images behind them. There was one noticeable change--no more greeting time. That disappeared after we left and we learned afterwards from friends that that segment of worship was dropped because it made a lot of people feel uncomfortable.

In the foyer, the information/resource desk, which had been a muted beige, non-descript color when we left ten months earlier, was now covered with a tin strip of galvanized metal (the kind you see on farms). The wall behind the desk was a bright orange and part of a chain link fence ran across it for display. They were now selling music CDs, and shirts. It gave the corner of the room a youth room feel. We had been told that the church was now targeting twenty and thirty somethings.

The church had made the decision to require all small groups to teach the same curriculum, which was being developed by lay leaders, based on sermons that had been preached in order to bring continuity. To us it sounded unpalatable, almost dictatorial and I wondered how their small group leaders would react. The experience of going back made both Jeff and I feel like square pegs trying to fit into round holes. Inside I was screaming, “You’re doing it all wrong!”

I suppose you could say that some of this discomfort was due to change—does anyone really handle change well? But a large portion of it was that the church felt so off target from the direction we were currently taking in our own ministry. (Learn more about our coffee shop ministry athttp://www.javajourney.org).

After the service we went out to dine with friends and, of course, discussed both the changes we had witnessed and the church’s overall new direction. It was hard to understand why the church was moving in a very different direction from what Jeff and I had envisioned. Our friends, who were charter members of the church, were also wrestling with the changes. After commiserating together and mulling it over, one of our friends commented. “I guess we just need to realize that you and the church have the same goals—to reach unchurched people—but have two very different ways going about it.”

The truth stung because her words were so on target. Our friend was right. The belief that our former church’s approach to ministry was all wrong and ours was right was primarily a pride issue on our part. We needed an attitude adjustment. Many are working to bring people into a relationship with Christ. But because of the diversity of the Body we go about it in different ways. We need to respect the differences in the methods that Jesus’ followers use to reach unchurched people. The more diverse the Body, the more people we can reach.

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Thanksgiving is almost here, and I’m all atwitter with anticipation. In celebration, I plan to once again partake in the age-old tradition of gorging myself with an embarrassing amount of food, creating gastro-intestinal problems the like of which are rarely experienced in industrialized countries.

This year my family and I are planning on eating out Thanksgiving Day and are in serious discussion regarding the restaurant we want to go to. Restaurant selection is a big decision that you don’t want to botch. The main issue, as I see it, is whether you want to be waited on or would rather serve yourself at a buffet.

If you choose to be served, then your greatest challenge, of course, will be your waiter. Waiters are a strange and mysterious group of people who have their own language and moral code, not unlike the ancient Druids or the David Hasselhoff Fan Club. Those attempting to interact with them must be aware that their language and ours do not necessarily mean the same things.

For example, when the waiter gestures toward your empty plate and says, “Can I get that out of the way for you?” he really means, “It’s time for you to go now.”

When a waiter places your check on your table and says, “Can I get anything else for you?” he really means, “It’s time for you to go now, but leave your credit card.”

When a waiter serves your food in a timely manner with a smile on his face, it means he did something gross to your entree back in the kitchen.

Eating at a restaurant with a wait staff has other drawbacks too, like being served by an overworked staff who would just as soon see you choke on a roll than have you ask them for another glass of tea. Because they’re desperately trying to avoid having one more thing to do, these waiters often wait until your mouth is packed like a chipmunk’s before asking if you need anything else.

There’s no way to win in this situation. Your best alternative is to attempt the complicated motor activity of chewing while shaking your head “no.” You’ll most likely wind up looking like a bobble-head doll, but that’s infinitely better than the alternative, which is holding up your empty tea glass and saying something like “May ah pweeb haf pum more pea?”

A. I could get permission to scoot my chair up to the buffet and eat right there instead having to be bothered with all those pesky trips back and forth to and from my table, and

B. There was some type of national standard (or law, if you will) to dictate behavior in the buffet line—namely, just choose a food type, put it on your plate, and move on already. I always get stuck in line behind the guy who weighs each food selection as though he’s making an important life decision.

It’s a buffet! You’re not buying a house. You’re not having surgery. If you make the wrong choice, just come back and get something else! This is America, by jingo, and that’s how we do things here.

Of course, one of the most difficult parts of Thanksgiving is the subtle pressure of knowing that sometime during the day you’re expected to muster up a little thankfulness. And where does this thing called “thankfulness” come from, anyway?

I have found that, just like my TV remote control, thankfulness is easiest to find when I’m not looking for it. It seems that when I concentrate instead on the good things God has placed in my life—my family, my ministry, my Rolls Royce (kidding!) - thankfulness comes easily.

The Bible says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 (NIV) I believe God’s hand may most easily be seen in the countless graces we experience throughout each day. When we learn to recognize the author of these good things placed in our lives, then thankfulness is a natural byproduct.

So, when you’re home nibbling on your third helping of turkey and sweet potato pie, think of me at the restaurant, and pray the waiter hasn’t done anything gross to my food.

© 2008 Charles Marshall. Charles Marshall is a nationally known Christian comedian and author. Visit his Web site at www.charlesmarshallcomedy.com or contact him via e-mail at charles@charlesmarshallcomedy.com.

A few days ago I was doing some set painting at a local theater and a few of us stage parents and the director were talking about how directors often would rather work with nice people who work hard and cooperate. As opposed to working with more talented people with bad attitudes and work ethics. However, occasionally a person is just so talented that those around them put up with their attitudes for the sake of the performance. This brought to mind a question: Why do artists get a pass? I mean let’s face it, we hear the stories almost daily of celebrity artists (actors, musicians, etc.) who exhibit some extremely antisocial behavior, but for some reason we tolerate it, buy their products and make them rich. We would be mortified if our children behaved in the fashion of some of these folks and yet we tend to write off the “sins” of the talented because they ARE talented. Why the double standard?

I mean we’ve all heard about bad behavior and general weirdness excused due to the “artistic temperament.” We’ve all heard of a tardy (yes, I know this article was two days late), lackadaisical and rude attitude being excused by simply saying, “What do you expect, he’s an artist?” I know some artists will say, “But nobody gets my vision. I’m misunderstood.” So are lots of people, so again I ask, “Why do artists get a pass?” Could it be talent? Sure some people hold them in awe because they can do something that others think they can’t, but everyone is talented.

As a part of the artistic world, I’ve often said there have been hundreds of times I’d trade my artistic gift for the ability to fix my own car. While people may respect our abilities as artists, when the bottom falls out of the economy, we move to the bottom of the food chain pretty quickly. Is it possible to be an artist and still be a kind hearted, level headed, well adjusted, responsible, polite and punctual human being? Lord, I hope so.

And as a follower of Jesus Christ, anything else we do is superseded by the fact that we belong to Jesus. Translation—we don’t get the pass. No one does. After all, I can’t picture Jesus walking around with the attitude of, “Look, I can turn water into wine and raise the dead. You’re lucky to have me and I’ll act however I darn well please.” No way! He was humble as he performed incredible miracles and we, as his followers, should model this same humble attitude.

We all have our struggles. We all have our weak moments and none of these criticisms are meant to be judgmental, but too often we let our talents and the praises of men go to our heads. So check yourself. Are you believing your own press releases?

The Bible says,Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment… It further says, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (Romans 12:3, NIV; James 4:6, NIV).

You might be asking, “Why is this so important?” Because God has entrusted us with an awesome mission. 2 Corinthians 5 tells us that when God reconciled us to himself through Jesus, he entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation calling us to be Christ’s ambassadors. In other words, we represent Jesus with our lives. As children of the ultimate Creator, we need to not only be excellent artists, we also need to be excellent people, representing Jesus as He is, as best we can. Tear up your artist pass and show the world Jesus.

D.C. (David) Weiss is pastor of New Creation Fellowship in Reading, Pennsylvania, and has been a professional in the graphic communications/visual arts field for over 20 years. A few years ago, he felt led by the Spirit to combine his love for art and ministry and A.M.O.K. Arts Ministry Outreach for the Kingdom was born. A.M.O.K. is a ministry dedicated to helping people of all creative disciplines and ability levels to use their God given gifts to serve the Lord in preaching, teaching and reaching. More information on A.M.O.K. including free and low cost resources for preaching teaching and reaching can be found http://radicallyreal.truepath.com/amok.

Kathi Macias drives to the heart of the matter in her latest book, Beyond Me. For those who are spiritually thirsty for a deeper drink or hungry for a more substantial diet than bubble gum and ice cream, this conversation with Macias would be the answer.

The book is easy reading, written in a conversational style as if Macias is sitting in the room with the reader. And yet, the discoveries of her own personal journey take the reader where few dare to tread. Macias shares in such a transparent and vulnerable style that one is wooed and enticed to follow her passage just to see what she encounters.

Her gentle mix of personal experiences and scriptural teaching will lead the reader into many reflective interruptions. Her book even includes a couple of pages of questions to ponder at the end of each chapter. The reader will not need a yellow highlighter to mark pithy sayings, but may want to keep handy their personal journal for capturing insights and questions.

Macias believes one has to guard one’s heart. It is tempting for even life-long Christians to become hardened to the soft whispers of God’s Spirit. Through her stories and teachings, she lifts up prescriptions for growing deeper in one’s faith journey to avoid hardening of the heart.

Macias has published a number of books, both fiction and nonfiction. She has a passion for women’s ministries and is a popular speaker for women’s retreats, conferences, and churches.

Tom Hanover is Advertising and Promo Director of MIM ezine. He has served in a variety of pastoral leadership roles for more than 30 years, the last seven as a District Superintendent supervising the ministries of more than 100 pastors and churches in southern Ohio. He has a BA (cum laude) from Taylor University, and the MDIV and DMIN degrees from United Theological Seminary in Dayton. You can contact Tom at hanover@dbmim.net.

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