Here is the conclusion of Sojourn Worship & Arts Pastor Mike Cosper’s notes from last year’s Acts 29 LEAD Conference, where he taught “A Gospel-Centered Vision For The Arts” workshop:
Discerning A Call
From a Tim Keller lecture
These three things are a check on one another in helping to discern a calling.
- You Feel It – Affinity
- Your Friends Say So – Ability
- The Doors Open Up – Opportunity
The opportunities may not be there because of injustice – God is sovereign even over injustice. You must receive it trusting in the Lordship and sovereignty of God.
Honest Talk for Artist – the challenge for vocational artists
- For Musicians – most think it’s going to be playing music and traveling
- Session Players – teaching lessons, playing sessions, working whenever and wherever they can
- Nashville – marketing yourself
§ Looking like a star is a huge part of the equation.
o   Indie Rockers don’t have wives that stay home and raise kids most of the time. They have wives that work – or else they live in their parents basement
- Being a vocational artist will mean being an entrepreneur.
You’re starting a business, and that product is YOU. If you don’t have the drive to develop that business, then you won’t make it as an artist. - As Pastors, we need to help people get realistic about their expectations as artists vocationally.
- Do you have the talent?
- Do you have the drive?
- Do you have the affirmation?
- Do you have the opportunity?
What’s the Role of the Church?
- That the engagement flows naturally from the people into the context
- What kind of art scene in your city are you speaking into?
- Are your people already involved in that scene?
- Is there a need being met by your ministry, or are you competing with existing businesses?
- Your leaders are prepared for media backlash and public confusion.
EXPLORE PART ONE OF THIS SERIES: “A THEOLOGY OF CREATIVITYâ€
EXPLORE PART TWO OF THIS SERIES: “BEAUTY, CULTURE, CONTEXTUALIZATIONâ€
EXPLORE PART THREE OF THIS SERIES: “THE DIVERSITY OF CREATIONâ€
This is fabulous.