“What I want for artists is to go back to what it means to be a created anybody, to the extent that without hiding behind or depending upon their gift as artists, they can be a fully armed citizen, a fully discoursing citizen, who then are known by being a gifted anybody, an ambassador, as if God Himself were making his appeal through us. I plead with you, don’t just be an artist. The world is too full of those folks. Great, yes, as artists, but what are they as human beings?”

Harold Best visited us in Nov. 2010 for an event titled “Be Fruitful”. The purpose of the event was to offer an opportunity for spiritual and creative development for Christian artists, songwriters, and creative writers.

In his talk, he outlines some basic ideas about making art Christianly. Insisting on shaping a worldview based on Christ, rather than building a worldview out of any niche specialty, such as art, he continues to argue for demystified creativity. Shattering overly-romanticized notions of art, Best proposes artistic creativity that grows out of our basic identity as God’s creatures.

Harold Best is a writer, teacher, theologian, and musician. His books “Unceasing Worship” and “Music Through the Eyes of Faith” have had a major impact on the arts ministries of Sojourn. His new book “Dumbfounded Prayers” will be released in December 2010.

Taylor Worley of Union University (TN) offers some reflections and thoughts about the state of contemporary art to frame a discussion of the problems and possibilities that accompany the contemporary art of today. Providing some context to the historical, social and religious issues surrounding art in the 20th and 21st century, he wants to encourage realistic but hopeful thinking about future trajectories in culture-shaping/making that involves the visual arts.

This video was made by Jeremy Rogers of Austin Stone Church in Austin, Texas. Jeremy came and interviewed Daniel Montgomery and a couple other folks here not too long ago when they were in the beginning stages of planning for renovating a building for their church and local community in Austin.

David Taylor-In His Own Words from The Austin Stone on Vimeo.

Harold Best shares what creative people can learn from God’s creation. Many of the ideas presented can be found in Best’s book Unceasing Worship. This lecture took place at the 930 during the Cultivate Beauty Festival 2008.