Collide Magazine

Imagination @ Church

Christa A. Banister - Originally posted Thursday, November 5, 2009 -

Those hoping to pursue a more artistic approach to ministry—in and outside of the local church—have many innovative new resources available for fine-tuning his/her craft, thanks to several unique educational opportunities.

For anyone who thrives in a creative environment, the words of famed American novelist John Updike can’t help but resonate on a particularly deep level: “What art offers is space—a certain breathing room for the spirit.”

In church, the place where world-weary souls seek spiritual solace each week, and in broader culture, which routinely takes its cues from modern music, cinema, and literature, a creative vision has probably never played a more important role in delivering the Message.

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In fact, Reg Grant, an accomplished author, actor, professor of pastoral studies, and coordinator of the Media Arts program at Dallas Theological Seminary says ministry in the name of the King of Kings demands more. A willing heart, no matter how dedicated, simply won’t do.

“We wouldn’t think of sending a medical doctor to the mission field if her only qualifications consisted of ‘a willing heart.’” Grant says. “A person needs to have spent a considerable amount of time dedicating himself or herself to the rigorous academic and practical disciplines that would qualify for a career as a medical practitioner—and that’s just so he/she can heal a physical body that’s going to die someday.

“So how much greater care should we, who are responsible for representing the person of Jesus Christ through our artistic enterprises, adhere to the disciplines of our craft in light of our high calling to minister to the eternal souls of men and women whose spirits are created in the image of God?”

A Voice of Encouragement
That’s precisely why Grant encourages future ministers to invest time and education in their respective callings.

“We cannot afford theological or aesthetic shortcuts any more than the surgeon can afford to rush her preparation because the need is ‘just so great.’” Grant shares. “The need is always great. The tug of the ministry is always strong. If we have the opportunity to invest a few years preparing for a lifetime of more effective ministry, we should take it, because the Lord Jesus Christ deserves our best effort.”

Of course in our financially strapped times, when extra schooling may feel like an unnecessary luxury, Grant fully acknowledges that a step of faith is required.

“The road for the artist is not an easy one. The program we have [at DTS] is not for the faint of heart. It is not for the undecided. It is for those who have been gifted, who have a desire to work hard to prepare for a ministry that, God willing, will take you places you cannot imagine,” Grant says. “There has never been a better time in the history of the church for the artist who happens to be a Christian to use his or her gift to reveal Jesus Christ to the world. And there is no better investment you can make as an artist than the time and money you spend preparing for a lifetime of ministry through the arts for the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Options, Options, Options
Depending on a minister’s specific area of interest, there are several graduate- level programs nestled in different regions of the United States that fit the bill.

Regent University
On the East Coast, Regent University’s School of Communication & The Arts (www.regent.edu) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has helped equip Christian professionals for careers in the entertainment industry.

While some alums including Tony Hale (Stranger Than Fiction, Arrested Development, Chuck) and Phil Cooke (President/Creative Director of Cooke Pictures) have become popular Hollywood movers and shakers, other graduates such as Jason Illian, the former CEO of Tangle. com, have played an integral part in the Christian multimedia and social networking age.

Art and ministry have also intersected in the professional lives of singer/songwriter Karyn Williams and writer/director Cristobal Krusen, whose feature film, The Bill Collector, will debut later this year. Those wanting to work away from the bright lights of Hollywood also have several opportunities at Regent with specializations available in theater arts, communication studies, and journalism.

Mars Hill Graduate School
Located in Seattle, Washington, Mars Hill Graduate School (www.mhgs.edu) uses a classic Matisse painting, La Danse, as an icon that represents the sense of community they hope to foster for its students.

As readers of text, soul, and culture in a way that “integrates our real world context with theological and psychological content,” those attending Mars Hill learn how to apply their faith in a variety of vocational outlets including music, art, and advocacy for social change with its Masters of Arts in Christian Studies program.

“I came here with a passion that was strong, but it was undefined,” says Johnny Barbosa, a student at Mars Hill. “My experience in the Master of Arts in Christian Studies program has been that of naming and pursuing this passion through wrestling with my own story, interacting with the culture, and engaging the text of Scripture. That passion has grown through deeper thinking and dialogue with friends, professors, and other staff. I know I will be able to walk out of MHGS and live into this passion well.”

Luther Seminary
Those specifically called to music ministry may find that the Master of Sacred Music degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota (www.luthersem.edu), is an asset in their future endeavors.

In addition to engaging students in rigorous musical training in composing, arranging, and conducting, students become well versed in historical, biblical, and theological study, which provides greater liturgical understanding.

“At Luther, we seek to give musical and theological flesh and bone to those who are called to serve the church as leaders of the people’s song,” says Paul Westermeyer, Professor of Church Music.

Belmont University
Also designed for those pursuing music as a ministry (or as a Christian professional), Belmont’s School of Music’s graduate program (www. belmont.edu) in Nashville, Tennessee, hopes to provide those in attendance with the best of both worlds—a large, high-powered music program in a small, liberal arts setting.

With five majors available including Church Music, Composition, Music Education, Pedagogy, and Performance, there are countless opportunities for those hoping to work in sacred or secular settings.

Dallas Theological Seminary
Students who pursue a degree in the arts at Dallas Theological Seminary (www.dts.edu) will enroll in either the Media Arts in Ministry track, which is a four-year Th.M degree or the Media Arts in Ministry and Communication degree program which is a 67-hour two-year program.

Regardless of which direction the student decides to follow, he or she may choose from three different focuses: worship, writing, or presentation. Oftentimes students will choose two of the three, simply because they are interested in developing a broader range of gifts, according to Grant.

Ultimately, these courses prepare students for one of two career paths: Entering the local church as a media production supervisor/pastor or pursuing a more entrepreneurial career in a mainstream environment as a writer, producer, musician, or actor.

Graduates of DTS have worked successfully in both arenas. Brian Albrecht has been producing short films and videos for Hope Presbyterian Church in Cordova Tennessee, while Naima Lett has been working as an actor in Los Angeles and had been cast in a recurring role in television series, as well as Oscar-nominated movies including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Several DTS graduates have also served as writers for ministries including Chuck Swindoll’s Insight for Living.

Fuller Theological Seminary
Only 25 minutes (on a good traffic day, mind you) from the entertainment capital of Los Angeles, California, students at Fuller Theological Seminary (www.fuller.edu) are gaining the tools to serve as effective worship leaders.

With diverse programs in Worship Music Ministry and Worship, Theology, and the Arts, there are a variety of classes designed to aid in fostering dynamic congregational worship and working as forward-thinking artists and theologians.

Those enrolled will not only have the opportunity to obtain a general foundation in biblical and theological studies, but will focus on the integration of the history and theology of Christian worship and a particular field of artistic expression.

Not leaving out those wanting to work as practicing artists or professionals in related fields, students will also gain the historical, theological, and liturgical preparation that will enable them to work as practitioners and theologians.

The Act One Writing Program
Although not a Master’s program per se, The Act One Writing Program (www.actoneprogram.com) offers crucial hands-on training for Christians who desire to work in mainstream film and television.

Located in Los Angeles, the faculty is comprised of top industry professionals who’ve worked on popular projects to help coach students in the specifics of writing great screenplays that will inevitably impact the world at large.

In addition to offering comprehensive programs, there are also weekend worships, eight-week seminars and advanced programs, and mentoring to accommodate a wide range of people and schedules.

Christa Banister is a full-time freelancer writer, specializing in music, movies, and book-related reviews and interviews. She is also the author of two novels, Around the World in 80 Dates and Blessed Are the Meddlers. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, she also weighs in on various aspects of pop culture on her personal blog, christabanister.typepad.com/heythereitschrista. For more information, including her upcoming book signings and sample chapters of her novels, check out her website, www.christabanister.com