GospelSmith / Artists' Workshop

Christian Art In The Marketplace

By Stan Smith

 

Many Christian artists are skilled at working within the confines of the church, but it takes a transformation to begin to think of how to get our work into the marketplace. Here are a few examples of what it can look like when we take prophetic inspiration outside the church.

Prophetic Song. I met a woman who prophesies over people in song. Each person gets a different tune and rhythm; the lyrics have perfect meter and rhyme.

She told me she likes to take her gift outside the church. She and her husband look for a classy restaurant that has a piano -- the kind of place where executives have a cocktail with lunch. She volunteers to play and sing. Then she asks the diners something that touches a biblical theme without being churchy -- maybe, "Describe a scene that seems peaceful." And someone says, "Moonlight reflected on a lake at night." She then plays and sings spontaneously about the theme.

She told me that when she and her husband leave, someone almost always runs after them and says, "Your music really touched me and I need to talk to you..." And this becomes a ministry opportunity.

Graphic Arts. I met a commercial artist who lives sacrificially and uses his income to help fund the ministry he serves. Part of their ministry is to serve God 24/7 with prayer and worship.

I saw the artist sketching a series of boxes with designs in them while we were all soaking. When I asked him about it later, he said it was the layout for a catalog he had been commissioned to create.

He uses soaking times as an opportunity to get the big picture of his work from God, then he works at the computer for hours to flesh out the ideas God has given him.

Drama. Many churches have found drama to be a good way to attract people and to share the gospel. Only a few have taken it outside the church.

A few years ago, I met a woman with a strong ministry of prophetic intercession who was gathering a team of musicians and actors to take a prophetic play to various cities in the nation.

Though the main outline of the play would remain the same in each location, she was leaving room for spontaneity within the story so the team could address regional issues as they moved from place to place. Her vision was to pray in each city and gin a sense of the flavor they were to inject in the story.

I have not heard whether she followed through with her plans. But her vision is an example of how prophetic art can work in the marketplace.

Has God called you to take your art to the marketplace? There are more opportunities there than in the church -- and rightly so, for the marketplace is where the people are. Other people's stories are inspiring, but we need to hear from God for ourselves to identify the strategy He has called each of us to use.

Put your talents on the altar, and take time to listen to God. He will show you where and how to let your light shine.