Introducing "The Art of the Four Holy Gospels"

My last post touched the mixture of business and church--pretty much "left-side of the brain" stuff, don't you think. Well, traversing to the "right-side", what about Art & the Bible? Check this out:

Makoto Fujimura - The Art of "The Four Holy Gospels" from Crossway on Vimeo.

Makoto Fujimura is a writer, speaker, and, of course, world-class artist whose influence (including through the IAM Movement) is significant. I am so thankful for gifted individuals like him who are leading the way in wedding arts and faith!

Our experience increasingly demonstrates the powerful connections between the visual and the spiritual among the emerging generation. Perhaps The Art of the Four Gospels will be another profound display. Wish I could be there to see it!

Artwork of the Human Soul

Artwork has been defined as visual representations. This raises the question, representations of what? Here are two intriguing images of the human soul, by Ryan Alexander for Leeds Counseling.





What are the implications as we engage in others' lives and enter their spiritual journeys?

Thanks to Creativity for sharing these images.

A Whole Good World: Reflections by Yancey

What captured my attention with this article, A Whole Good World, was the mention of Mako and the 9-11 art project. Peaked my interest having been in NYC with the Tribecca Art Project when Mako spoke.

For those interested in Art & Culture, I commend the International Arts Movement.

Saying More Than We Can Say

Related to our theme Art & the Gospel, CT Today has a nice short article: "Saying More Than We Can Say" by Carolyn Arends.

The story of Olivier Messiaen in the concentration camp arrested my attention. Imagine composing a masterpiece of (musical) art from inside "death's domain."

Is it surprising that it was inspired by Scripture - Revelation 10:1-2, 5-7?

If you want to listen to it while pondering the connections of music and the gospel, enjoy this from the Quartet Messiaen.

Short Film - Emerging Strategy

Over the last two years an exciting new approach to stimulating deep, spiritual conversations has been developing around the use of short films, now downloadable for iPods. This approach has been field testing on a variety of US and International summer projects this summer. Initial feedback has been very (VERY) encouraging. We'll be posting more about this in the days to come. For now, just want you to know that the short films are available for only $1.99 a download. Choose your best five, and it is still under $10. The most commonly used one has been Over the last two years an exciting new approach to stimulating deep, spiritual conversations has been developing around the use of . This approach has been field testing on a variety of US and International summer projects this summer. Initial feedback has been very (VERY) encouraging. We'll be posting more about this in the days to come. For now, just want you to know that the short films are available for only $1.99 a download. Choose your best five, and it is still under $10. The most commonly used one has been LaBusqueda.

Diagram Man

I was once introduced to an audience as "Diagram Man." I guess my reputation among my coworkers is that I can't think without creating a sketch. My journal, my Bible studies, everything ends up in a sketch. So I was delighted to be made aware of this Fast Company article -- Hooray for sketches:

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/124/the-napkin-sketch.html?page=1%2C0

BTW - don't do what the first commenters did and miss the sketches. Click on the company name to see their sketch.

Now you see why I like the Four Circles gospel (below).

European Evangelism - What is bearing fruit?

I was recently asked what evangelism approaches in Europe (East or West) that I was familiar with which were demonstrating some level of fruitfulness. Here was my quick list:

• Story of Soul – for an outreach meeting
• Soularium in initiative evangelism
• Short Film Festivals as an event
• CoJourners: Conversational Evangelism as a lifestyle
• Battle of the Bands; utilizing both local and Christian bands
• English Speaking Camps – especially for High School students
• EQ Seminars – especially for student leaders
• Life@Large revised for Italy as The Story within The Story

Arts & Evangelism: An Enduring Legacy in Music

Here is a wonderful article on the power of Bach's music -- still bearing fruit for God's glory, still changing lives three centuries later.

http://cyberbrethren.typepad.com/cyberbrethren/2008/01/where-bach-was.html

What from the early 21st century will have such enduring value for the kingdom of God?

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Feb 12 - A friend just pointed out another article by the same author in First Things:

http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=2628&var_recherche=Bach

Innovation & Evangelism

I was asked to write a few paragraphs for the programs for the CCC staff conference this summer. Here are the first thoughts...

As evangelists in the 21st century, we are work between two realities. On one side is the Unchanging Creator God, who at all times in all places is seeking to save the lost. On the other is our rapidly changing culture -- a mosaic of lifestyles, worldviews and values that characterize men and women wandering from God. How do we maintain faithfulness to God's unchanging mission and message while achieving relevance for a moving target culturally? It is this balance that positions us for increased fruitfulness.

The gospel never changes. It is "the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16.) But we, like Paul, are constantly adapting to our audiences in order "…to win as many as possible…by all possible means…" (1 Corinthians 9:19, 22; NIV). Innovation and evangelism is not an option. It is a necessity.

Thoughts?

Soularium - Students coming to Christ

I've been out of the loop (or at least the blogshpere) for the last week. Its been an intense week, including a working group re-imagining campus ministry in light of emerging trends and realities. This is a working group that really is working - in more than one meaning of the word. This is a second 48 hour session together, separated by about 8 weeks of experimenting and learning. I've got to let it ruminate a little more before I begin sharing some the emergent ideas. But stay tuned... they should be coming soon.

In the meantime, more encouraging Soularium feedback from some Spring tests & early usage:
"I have to say that you guys have done a really great job and I'm proud of you. It is one of the most professional looking tools I've ever seen come out of CCC and I can't remember being more excited about a tool to engage with people about the Gospel. Really good job!!!!"

One of the Campus Directors at my Chicago meeting had participated in the Soularium field test. His students are so excited about it that they will make Soularium one of the "bread & butter" evangelism tools in the toolbox as soon as it becomes available for use (which will be very soon, we trust.)

But perhaps the most encouraging feedback comes from my son. Last Wednesday, he joined the SV director as they used Soularium to engage three fellow HS students in spiritual conversation. As they "explored" their life and spiritual perspective it led into a gospel conversation. The result -- all three prayed to receive Christ as their Savior! Thank you, Lord!!!