We strive to live out the mission of Jesus as an imaginative people engaging in whole-life worship and authentic community.
The following comes from the message I shared this past Sunday:
Whose church is Fair-Park? We often live as though the church is ours—those of us who are followers of Jesus and members of the church. But that’s not right. The church, in a universal sense, and locally, is God’s, and God’s alone.
Why are we here? We are not here to get fed spiritually. We’re not here to catch up with friends and hear the latest gossip. We’re not here to find a comfortable place to gather. We’re not here to make ourselves feel better. We’re here to worship God. We’re here to turn our focus from ourselves to Him. We’re here to humble ourselves before Him and ask Him to shape us, grow us, fill us, and use us.
For whom does Fair-Park exist? It doesn’t exist for me, or the people I like, or the community that gathers here each week. The church exists for people who don’t know Jesus. We come to worship God, and know him better, but also to be equipped so we can help others know Him as well.
Based on the purpose and vision we have received from God, we exist for the art community in DC area. There are thousands of artists out there—musicians, painters, sculptors, writers, actors, directors, photographers, designers—many who know Jesus, yet aren’t plugged into church, because churches aren’t equipped to help them to use their gifts in worshipping and connecting with God.
There are millions of artists in our area who don’t know Jesus; artists who have never had someone enter into their life, their world, and share the love of Jesus with them. We as a church exist for those people. God has called us to be the church that will connect with artists; and become a creative, vibrant, exciting place to connect with God and people.
Not all of us consider ourselves artists. But each of us has the potential for incredible imagination and creativity. We want to be a church that helps people discover how to use their God-given creativity to worship Him and to be a blessing to people.
2 comments:
We haven’t communicated this much in years!
I appreciate the feedback. Some context probably would have helped. My message Sunday was directed at a group of people in their 60s-80s who are pretty self-centered when it comes to church.
I don’t think church exists for us as believers, rather we are the church. We come together not for our own edification (although that is one result), but to worship God and be sent out to reach people. So yes, it’s not just about evangelism, but community for us believers.
I don’t think you and I see things differently; it’s mostly a matter of emphasis and language. For example, I don’t use the word lost. I try to use the same language with Christians and non-Christians as much as I can. While lost is an accurate word; it has very negative connotations for the lost. Would you want to be identified as lost by people because you aren’t one of them? Would being identified as lost make you want to become found? Do lost people want to become like the people calling them lost?
A friend of mine uses the phrase “the people Jesus misses the most.” I know it’s awkward; but it communicates very differently than lost; and communicates the heart of Jesus toward those people.
I’m not saying ignore the truth; we shouldn’t tell lost people they’re not really lost. But we need to communicate truth in ways that will help people be most receptive. When using such language with Christians; I think it helps encourage compassion and a desire to reach people.
Check out http://www.off-the-map.org/. Very interesting, and somewhat radical stuff on evangelism.
You asked, “Why does it require a church to be uniquely equipped for each artistic professional to get "plugged in"?“
I don’t think it does. We just caught a vision for a church that would emphasize the arts. God is incredibly creative; and has given us creativity. I’ve read that one of the things that sets man apart from all other animals is imagination. It’s a wonderful gift God has given us.
Historically, art was very tied in to worship. Early/classical artists used art to express faith. Over the years, art has become very self-centered and humanistic. We want to help people go back to God’s purpose of using their creativity to communicate about and connect with God.
We don’t just want to reach professional artists; but help all people discover ways they can be more creative; and through that to know and experience God.
So yes, while we may leave our profession when worshiping; we don’t leave our imagination and creativity. We want to expand on what you mentioned; about singers and musicians, sound people, etc. using their talents in church. And when I say “in church” I don’t just mean on Sunday morning. We, too, are building a small group culture. Small groups allow people to join together to do life. I love the idea of interest/affinity groups—your lifegroups.
We’ll have similar groups; but many will emphasize art, since that is our target audience—as well as painting groups and classes, book clubs, movie groups, art lessons of all sorts, creative worship of different size groups, music lessons, recitals, concerts, plays, etc.
One of our first groups will be one of artists going through a book by a Christian artist, talking about her journey and sharing about theirs. One person wants to lead a book study of Blue Like Jazz, a great book about living out faith in radical ways.
I plan to start a men’s group; probably more of a Bible study… We hope to have all kinds of groups, doing all kinds of stuff.
This will be important, partly because the art community is pretty diverse. We already have both classical musicians and rock guitarists…very different, but both looking to connect and be creative in worship.
We also want to emphasize evangelism to the art community; a group that doesn’t often connect with church.
We have a couple artists coming on as artists-in-residence; one a painter, one a musician/writer. They will give us time in ministry; we will give them studio space, opportunities to create and share their work.
The vision came from Lisa, my partner. She is an actress and director; owns a Christian theater company. She struggled for years, feeling like she lived two lives; her Christian life, and her drama life. It took years before finding opportunities to use her talent in a worshipful way.
Most churches use the arts a little; but many don’t do it well; and it’s not more on the side than an integral part of what they’re doing.
We’ve only just started; but are trying some creative things: one guy shared a photo essay, telling the story of his dad impacting another man new to the neighborhood.
Another man (a professional violinist) shared his testimony about God using his music in worship. He played several songs throughout the service… it was powerful.
A woman took photographs of salt; and Lisa spoke about the Biblical idea of being salt…
I know I’ve kind of rambled; just wanted to help you see what we’re doing.
Did you get a chance to read the notes on Kimball’s book?
On a lighter note; how is everyone? We’re good; Brady is growing like crazy; about 13 pounds (he’s 12 weeks today).
I love Ashley, but she was 7 when I got her; so I’m experiencing so many new things with Brady. I never imagined having this kind of love. You know how emotional I am—I started crying 10 minutes before he came out—and for a couple hours after!
His smile is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I’ll send some pics soon. (My laptop crashed today; it’s in the shop—I’m on Jamie’s computer tonight; but need to go to bed.)
I miss you guys; would love to see you sometime! Say hi to Sue.
Dale,
One other thing; we want to be a place for artists and all people to use their gifts, talents, passions to glorify God and bless others--in worship, but also in just doing life. So your question about a church having a clinic--I think there is something there. I know of a few ministries that have church, clinics, clothes closets, food pantries; all in one organization. Mission Waco and Mission Arlington are a couple.
And I think you've done medical mission trips, haven't you? So I think those are examples of using your gift, outisde of your job, for the kingdom.
How do you feel about TO being in Dallas? I think we play the second Monday night game this year, down there.
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