1. Do you see any signs of perfectionism in your life?
a. Minimizing the positive, maximizing the negative
b. The dot syndrome (looking at a small flaw and ignoring the overall good)
c. Black-and-white thinking (I’m either all bad or all good)
d. Self-esteem based more on performance than on identity
e. Setting unrealistically high expectations
f. Negative self-talk
g. All of the above
2. Do you think your team does a good job of celebrating when God uses the team in a special way? Celebrating? Really? I don’t think so. I was particularly excited about a performance and it was like pulling teeth to get anyone else slightly excited. I was quite quickly brought down. I would think we would have gotten together to discuss pros and cons while it was still fresh to plan for next year. That didn’t even happen. Celebrate? Wow.
3. How can you savor something you’ve done artistically that God has blessed, without becoming prideful about it? Personally, I’m always so amazed upon its completion that I could have taken part in it. I know it’s from God through me. Not saying that I don’t have pride and wrongful pride at that, but the big things I’ve done artistically, I just don’t have that in me. I can stand back amazed and enjoy it.
4. When was the last time you attended an artistic event such as a concert, movie, or play or visited an art museum? How was the experience? I’ve been to a few movies recently. I’ve been to a play and a concert within the last two years. I don’t like art museums. I really don’t. I find them boring … I love movies like I love books. I appreciate them for how they capture me and move me emotionally. I went to the Ignite Chicago event two years ago. Wow! That’s how I want to worship. I LOVE music. I like it fast and rocking. I hadn’t realized that God could reach me on a baseball field.
5. What would be a hypothetical example of an artist offering a “blemished lamb” for service at church? Well, let’s say someone is to talk or present something at church. And that person isn’t prepared. There are those who leave it entirely to God to place words in their mouths. That would be a “blemished lamb.” You need to write it out and rewrite it and perhaps get a second opinion. You need to go over it in your head or practice it. Come prepared. If there is something you always stumble upon, work harder on that part. Amazingly, when you come prepared, God might point you in a different direction. You still have all of your points and an outline to get you to the finish line, but God might add something that completes it beautifully.
6. Are you convinced that it’s important for art in the church to communicate clearly? What about art for art’s sake? I am convinced that the church needs to communicate in all ways clearly. If we cannot communicate period clearly, how can we move to the next level – communication through art? I had never considered this before for church. When I have sung and danced on stage, it has been very important to consider facial expression. And proper facial expression. If you are in competitions, it can mean the difference of several points and a trophy. And when something goes wrong, to smile as if everything is perfect. Have I got a story … Having said that, I don’t see much facial communication at church. Everything solemn and stately and straight. I cannot help but move … but sometimes the vocalists just bring me down.
7. In your mind, what is the difference between pursuing perfection and pursuing excellence? Perfection is unattainable. Excellence is worth working towards. I never want to put mediocre on the table. If I’m going to offer mediocre, I shouldn’t even take the project. Perfection is self-idolizing for only God is perfect. Excellence should be a given when bringing forth first fruits to God.
8. How do you know if your artistic endeavors are anointed by the Holy Spirit? Whoa. I don’t. I’ve been assuming. I’ve assumed that the Holy Spirit was with me because I couldn’t do it alone. So much of what comes into my head is obviously not my own. I need to be more accountable in inviting the Holy Spirit to enter me. And I need to strive towards better character and righteousness so that the Holy Spirit would dwell in me.
9. What does it entail for the artists in your ministry to be prepared spiritually to minister in the church? I will have to assume that they are preparing themselves individually for the ministry. We are doing it as a team. We don’t pray first together. I know, in some cases I pray first. Things like, remember, it’s not about me. Please, fill the children with your love. Things that give my anxiety to God … We’re doing a lot of assuming that our artists are prepared spiritually in my opinion.
10. Why do you think it scares some people to talk about excellence in the church? Hmmm. Don’t know. Does it scare people? I expect it. But I expect high standards of everything. And I’m constantly let down. I want to fix things. I think we’re too busy denying our talents and gifts. We need to do more for celebrating the glory that God has bestowed upon us. We can do so much better!
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
Psalms 33:3 (ESV)
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