Just posted to the New Renaissance Arts Movement blog, a fascinating video about visual design in the local church by Betsey Steele Halstead, from a class she led for Sojourn Visual Arts. She shares several inspiring examples of design in churches.
I’m always looking for ways to improve the stage and sanctuary design of our church and this talk gave me some good ideas. It’s a full 55 minutes, but very interesting. See it here!
We recently announced the Finding Divine Inspiration 1-Day Creativity Workshop, April 14th in Indianapolis. It’s a full day of inspiration, creative activation, and collaboration with God. These are always a blast, and its especially fun to present this at my home church, Indy Vineyard. Some of the details: 10am-4pm, Saturday, April 14th, Indy Vineyard Church, 8383 Craig Street, Indianapolis. Click on the link below to register and for more info.(By the way, there is inexpensive lodging within walking distance for out-of-towners.)
And, we should have another announcement soon about a creative worship blowout after the workshop that evening! Stay tuned.
If you’d like to host a Finding Divine Inspiration Creativity Workshop in your area, contact us at: Seminars@FindingDivineInspiration.com
Speaking at the Bethel School of Supernatural Creativity '11.
Although not exactly “The best of times and the worst of times”, 2011 was a bit of a personal rollercoaster ride. I touched on some of the year’s difficulties in the last post, but before January slips away I want to recap the positive highlights. And there were many.
There were exciting opportunities to carry the Finding Divine Inspiration and New Renaissance message to more people in more places in 2011 than ever before. I had the privilege of speaking across denominations and age groups, from Catholics to Pentecostals, and 5th graders to grandmas. It’s thrilling and humbling to watch God release creativity and open the doors of hearts and churches across the country. I thought sharing some of these successes might be an encouragement to you.
The Releasing
The year began with a January conference called “The Releasing” at Bread of Life Church just outside of Indianapolis. I was invited to lead a workshop and train people in the concept of collaboration with God in our creativity. Gaining the skills of hearing and 
responding to God’s voice is one of the most important things any believer can do, so helping folks to experience that and then practice it is one of the greatest honors of my life. The most profound spiritual growth in us individually and the most effective work for the Kingdom is built on the foundation of personal experience with and guidance from God.
Suzy Yaraei led a some really wonderful worship during the main sessions of this conference, and I did a little spontaneous live painting.
The Foundry
Live painting during during a service at The Foundry.
In February, it was off to Nashville, TN to speak at The Foundry and attend the inaugural C3 Conference. I’d heard about the great work with the arts that Scott McLeod and his team at The Foundry and Harvest Sound have humbly and consistently cultivated over the years; weekly worship coffeehouses, church services, worship training schools, music and recording ministry, and mentoring. And my heart felt at home when I experienced the enthusiasm with which they worship and the love and inclusiveness that pervade the place. I spoke on Tuesday night to a small but VERY enthusiastic crowd, and snuck back in on Friday night to absorb some of their weekend worship. One of the highlights for me that night was when one of the singers cut loose on the word “blood”, screaming it out like “screamo” bands do. “Nothing but the BLOOOOD!!” It was thrillingly appropriate. I look forward to visiting The Foundry again, soon!
C3 Conference
After The Foundry, and still in Nashville, The first annual C3 Conference got underway. The lineup of speakers was remarkable: Andy Crouch, Mako Fujimura, Donald Miller, and more presented some of the richest insight on the arts/faith connection that I’ve experienced at a gathering like this. Organizer Tim Jones offered us booth space to share the New Renaissance mission and materials. If you are looking for an excellent arts conference and you are anywhere near Nashville, I highly recommend C3, March 1-3. Andy and Mako will both return this year.
Vineyard National Conference
Cactus flower at South Mountain Park, Phoenix.
In May I headed to Phoenix and the Vineyard National Leaders Conference. One of the hats I wear is Director of Arts at the Indy Vineyard Church, and I love the Vineyard’s international legacy in the arts. The movement has always welcomed artists, having been started by a musician (John Wimber), and Vineyard worship music played a central role in the revolution of contemporary church music in the 80’s. Jessie Nilo, my cowriter and Director of VineArts at the Boise Vineyard, and I believe Read the rest of this entry »
Finding Divine Inspiration 