1. What do you think Jesus would be like at rehearsal? I have a tendency to think that he would be slightly early and leave slightly late for rehearsals. He would be helping to set up and take down. BUT he wouldn’t be too early or too late because he would have so much more to do “outside.” He would make the most of rehearsal time. He would enquire after everyone and make time with them as needed. I think that he would work very hard, but have fun.
2. What do you think Jesus would be like onstage? I think that watching Jesus on stage would be indescribable. You would never want to leave. You would be a part of a captive artist and you would never know what you were in for. His words would always challenge you. I could never picture him as a singer or instrumentalist. I know he would sing as moved although his voice might not be angelic. Watching him sing praise to God would be so spiritually moving and authentic that you wouldn’t care if he could sing all the notes in all the right places. He would sing for the pure joy of it.
3. Can you think of someone in your life who’s been a positive example of servanthood for you? My boss goes out of her way to help people. She always gives a person multiple chances. Even when the rest of us are concerned that she’s being “given a line,” she still interacts with people as though they are verifiably trustworthy. She is always fair and flexible and everyone is always equal. She will connect you with the people and agencies that she thinks will best help you. She always gives credit where credit is due. She is one of the best examples of a leader. A leader who serves in the trenches when she has earned the right not to.
4. Where would you put yourself on the humility continuum? With empty conceit on one end and false humility on the other, which end of the spectrum do you lean toward most? Because neither of these things is good, I believe it is safe to say that I vacillate between the two. There are times when I think I am better than other people. There are times when I believe that I can do a much better job. Wait … I KNOW I can do a much better job. Then there are other times that I’m so thrilled that anyone would let me do anything because I certainly don’t deserve the praise let alone the chance. I don’t take compliments very well.
5. Which of the ten differences between volunteering and being called of God do you feel is most important in establishing a prevailing arts ministry? To establish a prevailing arts ministry, I think the most important difference is #2 Volunteers whine about what it’s going to cost to serve, but people who are called of God are committed to serving. Serving is their priority. They try to schedule around their service commitments instead of trying to work service opportunities into their busy schedule. I enjoy working with committed people that you can count on. People who appear committed, but complain to everyone feel undependable. And if they complain, but are unwilling to hand over the reins to someone who is committed without complaint, well, then they are liars.
6. Which of the ten differences between volunteering and being called of God least describes you? The volunteer part or the Called of God part? I’m confused. Being confused, I’m going to go with #7 Volunteers feel threatened by the talent of others, but people called of God Praise Him for distributing gifts and talents as He chooses. I don’t deal with jealousy and envy in a godly way. I don’t look at us as members of a team, co workers or co-ministers. I tend to see others as taking opportunities away from me. Not that I wish to hog them, but if there are plenty of people to do things, then I don’t get to. What if it brings me joy? And someone else is wanted rather than me? Then I don’t get to do it? Or I don’t get to do it as often. I’m scared to give up something to sit out once. Someone else might step in and they might prefer them to me.
7. What kinds of things keep artists from being able to serve an audience of One? The audience of One is silent compared to the praise you can receive from the earthly audience. The earthly audience gives instant gratification. Artists might not have a good spiritual relationship. They need to mature. Serving the audience of One, doesn’t pay in the present. There are plenty of opportunities to get paid for the earthly audience outside of the church. Serving the audience of One is praising the audience of One. It means pointing away from oneself. Reflecting God.
8. Why, in your opinion, is it so hard for artists to have healthy boundaries when it comes to their work? For me, I’m not confident that there will be a next opportunity. OR they will be so few and far in between. So I take everything that I can which burdens and stresses and can burn me out. Things are very seasonal and cyclical for me and I can be overwhelmed in the very times when everyone else is off. I wish to serve more than I wish to work, if that makes any sense. So my job might be taxing me, but I’m still volunteering/serving when I’m not working which makes me working on something nearly all the time. We don’t know how to say no. Wouldn’t you always want to be doing something that brings you joy? Oh, and a healthy does of people-pleaser.
9. Can an artist be a confident person and still have a servant’s heart? Definitely. It helps in fact. I am confident in my abilities in certain areas. I can walk in and do the job. I might have butterflies, but not anxiety because I know I can do it. The more I do something, the more confident I become. When I’m confident in my message – and who wouldn’t be confident in the Good News – I’m happy.
10. What advice about servanthood would you give a fellow artist just starting out in ministry? If you don’t wake up wanting to do it despite all set backs, try something else. If you cannot commit to something in such a way that it is always your first priority, find something else. If you’re serving to get away, be busy, to please people, to fit in, to be loved, to be accepted, rethink why you’re serving – It’s ALL about GOD.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
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