God Wants To Give You
Creative Inspiration
Workshops For Artists
The workshops are more than an event. They are the beginnings of an ongoing creative lifestyle, as you listen to God's direction for your work, your marketing, and your ministry.
The workshops will give you new ideas. Stan Smith is a creative teacher, presenting Bible truth coupled with testimonies that show what the truth looks like when the rubber meets the road. Stan presents handouts that augment what is covered in the workshops.
The workshops will give you new friends. Part of each session is a discussion time, and providing more new ideas as your group goes over the questions. But as you get to know them, you will also gain a deeper appreciation for the artists who live in your region.
The workshops will train you to listen to God. The discipline of soaking -- waiting quietly in God's presence with a listening ear -- is a key to receiving God's inspiration in the arts. A few minutes in each session will be devoted to soaking.
The workshops will give you an opportunity to follow through on what you have received in the sessions. Stan provides ongoing challenges on his blog at http://arts.gospelsmith.com where you can take part in the internet community.
Each workshop requires three sessions. They can all happen in one weekend, or they can take place in three consecutive weeknights. For more info about the workshops, email stansmith888@sbcglobal.net.
Workshop # 1
Make An Impact With Your Art
This workshop explores how to receive inspiration and direction from God. He wants to direct your artwork itself and add a prophetic dimension to it. He wants to direct your marketing, which requires as much creativity as your artwork. And He wants to point you to ministry opportunities created by your art. Here are a few questions the workshops will cover:
Your Artwork -- is it self-expression, or God-expression? How can your work serve your generation?
Your Marketing -- what is godly marketing? Does your marketing reflect a servant-spirit, or self-promotion?
Your Ministry Opportunities -- can you make an impact with your art as a volunteer? or as a mentor?
Workshop # 2
Solomon The Culture-Shaper
This workshop focuses on the wisdom of Solomon. He was King in Israel's most prosperous and peaceful decades, but he was also active in the media of his day -- he wrote songs and proverbs that brought out the best in the people he ruled. His laws are long forgotten, but his proverbs remain.
For years, people have drawn wisdom from the Proverbs for every aspect of life. It is surprising how many of the Proverbs speak very directly to artists. Here are the main themes of this workshop:
Wisdom That Creates -- how can we get into the flow of God's creative wisdom?
Wisdom That Communicates -- how can we get God's creative ideas out to the people who need them?
Wisdom That Influences -- how can we make an impact with God's creative ideas?
Finally ...
Artists have a huge potential to reach the community outside the church. They can plant seeds that will influence its values. They can draw a crowd and share the gospel.
But artists are an unreached niche within the church. They represent a small percentage of every congregation, too small a segment to receive the special ministry they need. Whoever will plan regional events to encourage and equip Christian artists will invest in a vital mission field.