I am on the search to find ways to encourage the creatives in our city. Every community needs leadership, I feel called to bridge gaps, connect people and cultivate environments where creativity and the church can collide. Leveraging the gifts from our Creator in and through the local church . . . and in some way change the creative culture of Charlotte itself. I didn’t know what to call this until I came across this word in a book from the creativecollective.is.
Curator: one who has the care and superintendence of something (a collection or collective)
I have been fortunate to meet many of the people I consider creative leaders in Charlotte. Some I’ve not met, however all of you are actively serving God through your art in worship. Most of you have expressed in one way or another the same sentiment, this City needs a movement. Most of you have remarked that it takes time, resources and well, a leader. The definition of “curator” reminds me of the biblical example of a shepherd tending his flock. It is the similar to pastoring a specific type of people (a collection or collective), in this case artists and worshippers.
Some of us already have great influence, but also have great demands on our time. So this is not an attempt to add something else to your plate. It’s merely a call to be responsible to the calling on your own life and the lives of others under your care. But also to share this experience in some way with the greater community around you.
A couple questions for the Creatives among us:
- Do you desire to pour into and partner with others who want to use their gift for something greater than themselves.
- To see the local church embrace and support the artist.
- To see the artist engage culture for the Gospel.
A couple questions for Pastors & Church Leaders:
We are charged to tend our congregation. What can we do so that the Glory of God is on display through the church. What can we do to encourage the creatives we oversee. Do we give them voices in our services, series planning, message prep? Are they considered at all, or do we simply leverage them when it’s necessary or convenient? Do we tolerate them until they get frustrated and leave? Do we truly lend an ear to the yearning in their soul to create and do something that will have eternal impact? These questions originated in conversations from other artists, and it’s left me with some advice to those of us in leadership:
- Give them space to create within the church. Resource them and, don’t micro-manage them.
- Don’t simply hang them on the wall to view, but send them out for the world to see and experience. In other words, don’t hoard them . . .
- Don’t appease them . . . Don’t lead them on, and then come short on your promise to allow them a place to be utilized.
- Encourage them to engage culture with their gifting. Most artists aren’t evangelists by nature. But their art is a reflection of the creator who “…is not willing that any should perish…”. Their art can be a voice and vehicle for the Gospel.
- Be honest with them . . . if it doesn’t fit the vision, tell them. However, be willing to go the extra mile and point them where they can align their gifts and calling with another local church that will embrace them.
For the pragmatic among us:
I was raised by two business minded parents. Being an artistic child, they didn’t know what to do. They put me in camps, classes, workshops, anything to stoke the creative fire. They still raised me under what I call “the grid”, but they encouraged me to pursue my dreams as well. If you don’t understand how creative community works here’s a suggestion. Do what my parents did . . . take a risk, invest, cultivate. When an artist knows that you’re for them, it’s impossible to contain the creative output. You’ll try to harness it, DON’T, just encourage them and lead them well.
Standard of Excellence:
I believe in it. I believe we are called by God to give our very best. I also believe that every community probably has there own standard of excellence. However to serve the community best, there needs to be a global standard of excellence. This one is a little tricky and I’m open to feedback here. However, I did want to address it since I’m sure it is an issue that would need to be discussed.
I’m an artist, songwriter, worship leader, husband, dad and connector driven by my belief that God has designed us for community. The City of Charlotte has a number of artists (from every discipline) who have a voice. It needs to be heard, it will transform hearts as it rings through our streets, originating in churches and homes, prayers and songs, paintings, video, photography and every subset or genre therein.
Some of you are resonating with this, but you’re also thinking you don’t have the time to do anything about it. If there is anything I’ve learned it’s this “we are better together than we are alone”. I want to act as a curator to this growing community of creatives and call us together for the purpose of advancing the Gospel. I am one voice among many, and I’m speaking up . . .
KC Clark
musbkc@mac.com
twitter.com/musbkc
facebook.com/musbkc
