A Creative Arts Pastor in my home state of Kansas asked a question on a public forum today. He was curious to receive some feedback and shared some negative comments he had received for his title while on the job at prior place of ministry. Here are a few of the comments.
- "You shouldn't call yourself a pastor because you don't preach."
- "The word 'creative' sets off red flags because it reeks of man made religion and systems."
- "The AG will ordain anyone nowadays, no matter if they have a legitimate calling from God or not."
- "Why don't I just call myself director? Pastor should be reserved for those who truly minister to people, not those who lead the songs."
- "We don't need pastors for 'Arts and Crafts.'"
This pastor went on to say that not all responses to his title were negative, but most were. As a missionary who works daily in the creative media process, I admit that I got quite hot under the collar at the belittlers and their self-appointed authority on the topic of creativity in ministry. Then I took a deep breath, realized that our creative calling is a divine calling, and our self worth is secure in the Heart of our Creator.
And there is always this passage in Exodus that shows Holy Spirit falling on the quiet lives of artists and craftsmen, filling them with creativity before many others had the privilege of pastoring with eloquent sermons:
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.
“And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle— the table and its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base— the garments of ministry, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests, and the anointing oil and sweet incense for the holy place. According to all that I have commanded you they shall do.”
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