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Running A.M.O.K.:Art as Evangelism
by Dave Weiss (Dave's bio)
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I got this idea after years of observation. It all started while I was working as an advertising layout artist for a grocery store chain. I began to find the work so un-fulfilling that I was desperately seeking an outlet. I found that outlet in cartooning. In those days I didn't have a lot of time to work so I would take my sketch board to work with me and nearly every day for my lunch hour, I would go off to the local mall and sketch and draw and doodle until my heart was content. A funny thing happened, people used to stop and watch. They'd ask me questions. I thought, what a great way to get to know people.
I'm also reminded of another time when I was in a mall shopping. On this particular weekend they held an arts and crafts show. There was one gentleman in particular who was doing oil paintings right there on the premises. He is very good, very fast and very expressive as he painted and the people lined up to watch him work. People are fascinated by watching artists work. So how can we take advantage of this and use it to give God the glory?
I believe the answer is simple. Why not take your art to the streets? Set up easels on the streets in your area, near your church or at some public space and just go to work. Bathe your work in prayer and ask God to reveal a piece to you that will touch someone's heart and give you an opportunity to share the Gospel. Then create the image that He lays on your heart. This would work best if there are a lot of people who happen to just be walking by. If you finish a piece and someone appears to be blessed by it, give it to them.
I can almost hear someone saying, "But where does the Gospel come in?" Actually there are a couple of things that come to mind. The first and most important thing is the conversation that happens right there by the easel. Remember the most important thing in this project is not finishing the piece, the most important thing is presenting the Gospel. Talk about the message of the piece, talk about the beauty of God's creation, talk about the difference Jesus has made in your life. Deflect comments on your talent to the One who gave you your talents. Take the time to greet people and talk to them and don't be aloof. If a person thinks they would like to try, shock the daylights out of them by handing them the brush and allowing them to put their own spin on the piece. Fight every impulse to correct the piece after they move on or better yet, let them finish the piece and give it to them. This is definitely good practice for artists who need to learn to park their egos at the door and give glory to the Creator.
Secondly, have an empty easel in case someone would like to give it a shot. Be prepared to offer guidance if he wants it, otherwise, let him go to town and allow him to keep the piece when he is done. Try to talk about the person's gift and God given talent. Get to know him. Share with him. Invite him to join your group.
Lastly, especially if you're working near your church or another public place, hold a service that evening after the painting is done and invite all the spectators to join you. You may even want to do an arts based component as part of the communication of the Gospel message (like chalk talk for example). Make sure that the Gospel is presented clearly and simply stripped of all "Christianese" and allow the Spirit to work as He will.
This method is a very easy outreach and requires almost no planning. You just simple go into the street and be who you are and trust the Lord to bring the increase. He will because He is faithful. (Excerpted from Dave's upcoming book "101 Uses for the Visual Arts in Ministry.")
Copyright 2002, Dave Weiss. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About Dave Weiss: Dave Weiss is the founder of A.M.O.K. (Arts Ministry Outreach for the Kingdom) a writer, speaker, graphic designer and a licensed minister with a background in youth ministry. For more information on A.M.O.K. or to learn more about using the arts in ministry go to the A.M.O.K. website at http://members.christhost.com/amok or join the A.M.O.K. list serve at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amokarts/.
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