Lesson 14

Writing as Art and Ministry

Art ministers can tap into the creativity of people developing artistry with words.
I. The biblical basis for human beings as storytellers - we were made to creatively use words:

a. Gen 1: 1-26

i. God speaks the world into existence

ii. After each act of creation, God names his creation

b. Gen 2: 18-23

i.

God creates all of the beasts and birds

ii.

God brings them all to Adam to see what he would call them.

iii.

Whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.

iv.

God creates woman, but Adam names her.

c. This selection of passages illustrate the innate power of words and that humans, created in Gods
image, are made with the desire to use words and ideas in an effort to describe the world around them.
II. Where do writing and other forms of art/creating intersect? How is writing the same as other art forms?
How is it different? And how is Christian writing different from Secular writing?

a. All art forms, in one way or another, are a form of communication, whereby we seek to do one of
the following:

i.

Describe the world around us capturing snapshots

ii.

Express our vision of what we experience, what we feel, what we think

iii.

Influence others emotions or feelings or attitudes/beliefs about a particular subject

iv.

Tell a story

v.
Teach

vi.

Something else entirely (this is not an exhaustive list)

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b.

Writing as Art and Ministry

How writing differs from other art forms:

i. Depiction of emotion can be somewhat more direct the writer can describe the object,
then describes the feelings associated with that object.
ii. Reading the written word can be a more direct art form for some people, because the reader hears the written words in their own voice with their mental ear.
iii. The things being described are interpreted through the lens of the readers own experience. Each reader sees his or her own unique vision, shaped by their context and experience.
iv. Because the imagery perceived by the reader is spun directly from the fabric of their own
thoughts, the written word can be a more direct path to the human subconscious than can a
visual art form.
v. Writing is more temporal in nature. Many modes of visual art capture a snapshot in time.
We can write about actions taking place, conversations as they occur and the changes in the
world as they happen. Of course, there are types of visual media that do this too (film and
illustration, for example) but many visual art forms describe fixed points in time.

c.

What makes Christian writing different from secular writing?

i. Writing (or any other art created by a Christian) is colored by our worldview. The art that
comes out of us is influenced by who we are and what we believe. If our art doesnt contain an
overt Christian message, it may still speak about the core of who we are and do it in an entirely
secular way.
ii. Christian writing speaks from a place of redemption. In our own writing, we seek to highlight redemption or to show the gaps where there needs to be redemption.
iii. While we can portray evil (can show darkness), we do not glorify evil.

III.

Written/Spoken word in ministry (personal and public)

a.

Use in a ministry setting:

i.

To give other creatives a place to play

ii.

To facilitate worship

iii.

To help work through issues or emotional situations (healing)

iv.

To keep a record of what God has revealed

v.

To teach or to analyze scripture

vi.

In Prayer reaching out to God through our words

Use in Journaling (writing only or art journals)

b.

i. Diary/Daily Journal
ii.
Sermon/Devotional Journal

iii.

Verbal sketchbook capturing bits of creative writing

iv.

Combination Journal (all-together journal for everything)

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c.

Writing as Art and Ministry

Use in publication (for use within or outside the church):

i. Theology/Teaching
ii.
Artist Statements
iii.
Performance pieces
1.
Spoken word
2.
Drama
3.
Song writing
4.
Film
5.
Bible Readings

6.

Writers groups/Critique groups

iv.

Mixed Media writing and visual art combinations

1.
A small group formed to encourage and support, regardless of if the content is
Christian or not.

2.
The group exists to lift each other up, to pray for one another and to hone the
skills that God has given us.
IV.

Assignment (Due Friday)

Brainstorm at least 4 ideas of ways you could use the written or spoken word in your own church or
community. Discuss what the activity would look like. Is it outreach? Who is your target audience (who are you
trying to minister to)? Would others be involved with the writing?
1.

2.

3.

4.