Last October Jessie (our VineArts Director) emailed me and asked if I wanted to join her on a trip down to Texas for an arts retreat specifically for Pastors & Ministers to Artists given by David Taylor (a speaker she had heard a couple of years ago during a national arts conference). Once I read through the email and checked out the website of the place (Laity Lodge) I had a very strong gut feeling that this was something I needed to do (ya know the kind of gut feeling that almost makes ya naucious cuz yer spirit it connecting with the Spirit of God and yer heart is racing and ya know that yer being called to do something by the Almighty and if you turn it down ya know you'd be messing up). I've only experienced this a few times that I can recall...one was when I was to move to Boise from Seattle in 99 (to pursue art full-time and start my business "RevelatorArt"). One was when I was to go to Scotland in 2000 on a short term mission team sent from Vineyard Boise to Glasgow Central Vineyard to help build The KOG coffeehouse & paint a wall mural in a 100+ year old building in the inner city of Glasgow. And one was on that very trip when I knew I was to come back the following year to attend the Harvest Ministry College (a 6 month leadership training college linked to GCV), continue helping out with the KOG, and help start an artist collaborative in 2001-2002. So I immediately got on my knees to pray. The more I prayed the more I knew...this was for me.
The Boise Vineyard church staff (though they couldn't help pay for us to go) sent us out by praying for us during staff prayer that week. The pastors were 100% behind us going...they saw the importance of it for what we do with VineArts. I haven't felt that kind of support rallied around me by church and family and friends since I had gone to Scotland.
So that's all leading up to the retreat. I mention all of that cuz it was God setting things up.
Once there and interacting with the other people at the retreat, people were very impressed with what we had to share about VineArts and couldn't get over that we were really building relationship with artists (professional and amateur) on an ongoing basis. Most people there represented churches...either they were pastors or they were ministers who had artists in their congregations. With over 50 people attending, we found that there were only a few actual art ministries being represented. VineArts seemed to be the only art ministry represented where "everyone can play" (amateur artists or artists who just don't know they're artists & professional artists). We work with artists on a weekly (almost daily) basis in hands on discipleship and mentoring of all types of artists.
And as I said, there were also people there from Canada, the UK, and NZ. Most of those people were actual artists who had come to minister to us. :)
Our main speakers were David Taylor (Arts Pastor, Author, University Instructor) and Luci Shaw (Poet, Author, Editor, Publisher). We were led in corporate worship by Bryan Brown (Music Pastor). There was special music by Miriam Jones & Jez Carr (Guitar, Piano, Vocals) and Vito & Monique Aiuto of "The Welcome Wagon" (Guitar, Various Instruments, Vocals) and Charlie Peacock (Singer-Songwriter, Record Producer, Author). We had an Encaustic Art workshop given by Phaedra Taylor (Artist). And the founders of Artslink (a para-church Art & Missions organization that is part of Operation Mobilization) were also there along with people from all over the world representing universities, local churches, and communities.
The theme of the retreat was mentoring. So David spoke a lot about what that could look like and the importance of the role of an art minister in an artists' life to be a mentor. He spoke about "Naming" and the importance & process of being named an Artist and the role of the art mentor to help name an artist. Luci spoke about God's thumbprints on our lives and how he molds and shapes us like pottery. The musicians and workshop artists shared with us about the creative process...likening it to the process of an artist's growth.
That's just a quick summary of what it was about. But I want to share with you about how it impacted me and the specific things that God used to speak to me...
*I need to preface by mentioning a night last month when I was leading the Palate Art discipleship group for VineArts...
I had the group do a clay exercise. Create something representing how you view yourself as an artist in the midst of your insecurities. Then we watched a dvd of a potter/pastor who gave a sermon at the Vineyard in 2004 when Jessie launched VineArts. He talked about the pottery process (likening it to God as the Potter and us as the clay). He talked about the various stages of a pot (likening it to our spiritual journies). He talked about the various types of pottery (likening them to the Body of Christ). After the dvd I had everyone recreate something representing how you think God views you as an artist. The Potter talked about "mug people" as he held a coffee mug in his hands. He said, "you know who you are". He talked about how mug people might feel comparing themselves to beautiful flower vases or platters. But he also talked about how he loves his coffee mug and uses it every day. its a dear friend to him and he fills it up and pours it out. fills it up and pours it out. Well...I really connected with this. My recreation was of a coffeemug and a person coming up out of it with arms outstretched. I was reminded of a word someone had given me back in Scotland during HMC about me smashing a coffee mug against a wall and grabbing canvas and paints and painting out of my emotions and then helping others to do the same. I had forgotten that word...until that night of the Palate. 8-9 years later. I could see that God was fulfilling that "picture" now...with who I am and what kind of art I do and what I get to do with VineArts and all the artists we minister to.
*Then Luci Shaw opens her talk with..."I collect coffee mugs"...and proceeds to basically say pretty much the same thing the Potter said at Vineyard in 2004! With the added thing about God's thumbprint on us like the potters thumbprints all over the mug. I looked down at my VineArts hoodie and saw our logo with the thumbprint...I don't know if you know...but I'm the one who came up with our VineArts logo. Thinking about God's thumbprints on us..and without his print...there would be no art (in the logo). Jessie was sitting next to me during Luci's talk...and she and I looked at each other with huge smiles! Afterwards we were laughing so hard and jumping up and down. Jessie knew my story of the mug.
*Another connection is the whole "Breakfast on the Beach" thing. See...one of the prayer times at HMC someone had a word for me..."Breakast on the Beach" (connected with Jesus having breakfast with his disciples). When I got back to Boise I painted an oil landscape of the beach on Tiree that we all walked on. I named it "Breakfast on the Beach"...and haven't thought much else about it. A couple of years ago I created a photo in Adobe Photoshop with a similiar theme (this time some fish frying in a pan on a fire on the beach) and wrote a blog about it in response to something God was showing me about forgiveness through a book study I was doing. Again...didn't think much of it afterwards. THEN...at the retreat center they have an art gallery and the current exhibit "Resurrection Appearances" by Billy Keen was very fascinating to me...I really liked the guys style of art. And then I came upon a piece he titled "Breakfast on the Beach"....this is what his artist statement said, "Jesus is on the shore preparing for the fishermen. He makes breakfast. He asks, "Do you love me?" When we answer, "Yes, Lord, you know I do," he tells us to then feed those who are his. Three times...for emphasis. Do we "get it?" Aside from the beauty and setting of the story, we see that we encounter Christ and are fed. In being fed, we hopefully learn the value of feeding others. When we get old, we'll most likely have to depend upon someone. Christ serves us and expects us to serve others." Then there was another piece he titled "A Cup of Coffee" and he said, "Eating fish seems to be the meal of choice abounding in Scripture. People gather. They eat fish. Today, we meet around the cup of coffee. Christ presented himself by communing with the disciples. Sharing a cup of coffee in our contemporary culture is communing." Then there was a third piece titled "Emmaus Cafe" that said "When we meet the stranger on our spiritual journey, rarely do we recognize them for who they are. When we slow down to commune-to share at a metaphorical table or a real table-we really get to know one another. As we travel down the road of life, we encounter people we don't really know who walk with us at length, their Christ-likeness perhaps obscured to us by our own grief. The painting is rendered so that the figure's identity is obscured...the risen Christ being someone unrecognizable, a stranger unperceived in the midst of fellow travelers...walking alongside, sharing and bearing the burdens of life's struggles."...........these 3 pieces spoke to me in a very profound way about Communion with God and each other, about Serving God and each other, and about Being There with God and each other. I see this stuff happening in my life...through being an Arts Minister! I was able to recognize that God is still speaking to me about this and it started with the word he gave you to give to me that moment at HMC.
*The Naming thing that David talked about...when I was in Scotland there had been a word spoken over me during the UK Vineyard Music "Holy" CD Release concert downtown Glasgow. Brenton Brown (the head of UK Vineyard Music) had called all of the artists up front to be prayed for. And the person praying for me spoke it out that I had a calling as an art minister. Honestly, I really didn't know what that meant. My time at HMC was the first I had ever thought of being able to decompartmentalize my pastor degree and my counselor degree and being an artist...and be able to be it all in one. And VineArts was not even a thought in Jessie's mind at that time. Now...8-9 years later, look where I'm at. I have grown into and am walking in my Name as Art Minister. I had no idea...I didn't remember the "Holy" thing until this retreat!
*There were several people at the retreat who had connections with Scotland. I was blown away at that...and my heart was so blessed.There were several people at the retreat who had Anglican church connections. In fact the first night the worship leader (who utilized many different styles of songs, choruses, hymns throughout the weekend) led us in a Compline service! I was in tears! I was so overwhelmed with God enveloping me with His love...His faithfulness. I felt like I had come home...to have art, ministry, Scotland, Anglican tradition, VineArts...and missions.
*There was a New Zealand connection too. This was significant for me because while living in Scotland I became friends with a few people who were from New Zealand, and I plan to go to New Zealand Feb. 2011 to visit them. So on this retreat, I met a lady from NZ. She is an installation artist that works with a group that puts on special installations of "Stations of the Cross" ....also connected with a Scotland experience for me (we went to one at a Church of Scotland the year I was there)! I've talked to Jessie (ever since 2005) that I've been wanting to do a Stations installation here in Boise but have not known how.
So that's all leading up to the retreat. I mention all of that cuz it was God setting things up.
Once there and interacting with the other people at the retreat, people were very impressed with what we had to share about VineArts and couldn't get over that we were really building relationship with artists (professional and amateur) on an ongoing basis. Most people there represented churches...either they were pastors or they were ministers who had artists in their congregations. With over 50 people attending, we found that there were only a few actual art ministries being represented. VineArts seemed to be the only art ministry represented where "everyone can play" (amateur artists or artists who just don't know they're artists & professional artists). We work with artists on a weekly (almost daily) basis in hands on discipleship and mentoring of all types of artists.
And as I said, there were also people there from Canada, the UK, and NZ. Most of those people were actual artists who had come to minister to us. :)
Our main speakers were David Taylor (Arts Pastor, Author, University Instructor) and Luci Shaw (Poet, Author, Editor, Publisher). We were led in corporate worship by Bryan Brown (Music Pastor). There was special music by Miriam Jones & Jez Carr (Guitar, Piano, Vocals) and Vito & Monique Aiuto of "The Welcome Wagon" (Guitar, Various Instruments, Vocals) and Charlie Peacock (Singer-Songwriter, Record Producer, Author). We had an Encaustic Art workshop given by Phaedra Taylor (Artist). And the founders of Artslink (a para-church Art & Missions organization that is part of Operation Mobilization) were also there along with people from all over the world representing universities, local churches, and communities.
The theme of the retreat was mentoring. So David spoke a lot about what that could look like and the importance of the role of an art minister in an artists' life to be a mentor. He spoke about "Naming" and the importance & process of being named an Artist and the role of the art mentor to help name an artist. Luci spoke about God's thumbprints on our lives and how he molds and shapes us like pottery. The musicians and workshop artists shared with us about the creative process...likening it to the process of an artist's growth.
That's just a quick summary of what it was about. But I want to share with you about how it impacted me and the specific things that God used to speak to me...
*I need to preface by mentioning a night last month when I was leading the Palate Art discipleship group for VineArts...
I had the group do a clay exercise. Create something representing how you view yourself as an artist in the midst of your insecurities. Then we watched a dvd of a potter/pastor who gave a sermon at the Vineyard in 2004 when Jessie launched VineArts. He talked about the pottery process (likening it to God as the Potter and us as the clay). He talked about the various stages of a pot (likening it to our spiritual journies). He talked about the various types of pottery (likening them to the Body of Christ). After the dvd I had everyone recreate something representing how you think God views you as an artist. The Potter talked about "mug people" as he held a coffee mug in his hands. He said, "you know who you are". He talked about how mug people might feel comparing themselves to beautiful flower vases or platters. But he also talked about how he loves his coffee mug and uses it every day. its a dear friend to him and he fills it up and pours it out. fills it up and pours it out. Well...I really connected with this. My recreation was of a coffeemug and a person coming up out of it with arms outstretched. I was reminded of a word someone had given me back in Scotland during HMC about me smashing a coffee mug against a wall and grabbing canvas and paints and painting out of my emotions and then helping others to do the same. I had forgotten that word...until that night of the Palate. 8-9 years later. I could see that God was fulfilling that "picture" now...with who I am and what kind of art I do and what I get to do with VineArts and all the artists we minister to.
*Then Luci Shaw opens her talk with..."I collect coffee mugs"...and proceeds to basically say pretty much the same thing the Potter said at Vineyard in 2004! With the added thing about God's thumbprint on us like the potters thumbprints all over the mug. I looked down at my VineArts hoodie and saw our logo with the thumbprint...I don't know if you know...but I'm the one who came up with our VineArts logo. Thinking about God's thumbprints on us..and without his print...there would be no art (in the logo). Jessie was sitting next to me during Luci's talk...and she and I looked at each other with huge smiles! Afterwards we were laughing so hard and jumping up and down. Jessie knew my story of the mug.
*Another connection is the whole "Breakfast on the Beach" thing. See...one of the prayer times at HMC someone had a word for me..."Breakast on the Beach" (connected with Jesus having breakfast with his disciples). When I got back to Boise I painted an oil landscape of the beach on Tiree that we all walked on. I named it "Breakfast on the Beach"...and haven't thought much else about it. A couple of years ago I created a photo in Adobe Photoshop with a similiar theme (this time some fish frying in a pan on a fire on the beach) and wrote a blog about it in response to something God was showing me about forgiveness through a book study I was doing. Again...didn't think much of it afterwards. THEN...at the retreat center they have an art gallery and the current exhibit "Resurrection Appearances" by Billy Keen was very fascinating to me...I really liked the guys style of art. And then I came upon a piece he titled "Breakfast on the Beach"....this is what his artist statement said, "Jesus is on the shore preparing for the fishermen. He makes breakfast. He asks, "Do you love me?" When we answer, "Yes, Lord, you know I do," he tells us to then feed those who are his. Three times...for emphasis. Do we "get it?" Aside from the beauty and setting of the story, we see that we encounter Christ and are fed. In being fed, we hopefully learn the value of feeding others. When we get old, we'll most likely have to depend upon someone. Christ serves us and expects us to serve others." Then there was another piece he titled "A Cup of Coffee" and he said, "Eating fish seems to be the meal of choice abounding in Scripture. People gather. They eat fish. Today, we meet around the cup of coffee. Christ presented himself by communing with the disciples. Sharing a cup of coffee in our contemporary culture is communing." Then there was a third piece titled "Emmaus Cafe" that said "When we meet the stranger on our spiritual journey, rarely do we recognize them for who they are. When we slow down to commune-to share at a metaphorical table or a real table-we really get to know one another. As we travel down the road of life, we encounter people we don't really know who walk with us at length, their Christ-likeness perhaps obscured to us by our own grief. The painting is rendered so that the figure's identity is obscured...the risen Christ being someone unrecognizable, a stranger unperceived in the midst of fellow travelers...walking alongside, sharing and bearing the burdens of life's struggles."...........these 3 pieces spoke to me in a very profound way about Communion with God and each other, about Serving God and each other, and about Being There with God and each other. I see this stuff happening in my life...through being an Arts Minister! I was able to recognize that God is still speaking to me about this and it started with the word he gave you to give to me that moment at HMC.
*The Naming thing that David talked about...when I was in Scotland there had been a word spoken over me during the UK Vineyard Music "Holy" CD Release concert downtown Glasgow. Brenton Brown (the head of UK Vineyard Music) had called all of the artists up front to be prayed for. And the person praying for me spoke it out that I had a calling as an art minister. Honestly, I really didn't know what that meant. My time at HMC was the first I had ever thought of being able to decompartmentalize my pastor degree and my counselor degree and being an artist...and be able to be it all in one. And VineArts was not even a thought in Jessie's mind at that time. Now...8-9 years later, look where I'm at. I have grown into and am walking in my Name as Art Minister. I had no idea...I didn't remember the "Holy" thing until this retreat!
*There were several people at the retreat who had connections with Scotland. I was blown away at that...and my heart was so blessed.There were several people at the retreat who had Anglican church connections. In fact the first night the worship leader (who utilized many different styles of songs, choruses, hymns throughout the weekend) led us in a Compline service! I was in tears! I was so overwhelmed with God enveloping me with His love...His faithfulness. I felt like I had come home...to have art, ministry, Scotland, Anglican tradition, VineArts...and missions.
*There was a New Zealand connection too. This was significant for me because while living in Scotland I became friends with a few people who were from New Zealand, and I plan to go to New Zealand Feb. 2011 to visit them. So on this retreat, I met a lady from NZ. She is an installation artist that works with a group that puts on special installations of "Stations of the Cross" ....also connected with a Scotland experience for me (we went to one at a Church of Scotland the year I was there)! I've talked to Jessie (ever since 2005) that I've been wanting to do a Stations installation here in Boise but have not known how.
*The missions connection is another story I need to preface starting sometime last year...
I had been googling art & missions cuz I was curious. I came across the ArtsLink site. What I read I really liked the idea of going on a short term team to specifically do art related missions. They're a part of a bigger organization called Operation Mobilization (sort of like Youth With A Mission). As much as it interested me...I don't ever want to do something unless I know that God is doing the sending. So I put the link in my favorite sites and left it. I had mentioned it all to Jessie though...so she knew my interest (and of course I continue to talk about my experience in Scotland, so she knows how important all this is in my heart). Well...in August, the pastor who oversees Boise Vineyard's missions asked Jessie and I to meet with a Vineyard pastor we have connections with in Ecuador. He was interested in the possibility of VineArts sending a team down sometime to do something. We sort of brainstormed together but he left us saying he'd think and pray about it. For me...the chance to go really excited me. But again...set it aside. If it's God's will, it'll come to fruition. Then last fall I got an email from a lady who worked for ArtsLink. She had found my Revelatorart blog connected to the New Renaissance Rising website. After looking around she thought I'd be a good fit for one of the art teams and wanted to offer the possibility to me. I emailed back and forth with her letting her know that coincidently I had already been praying about it. Of course I told Jessie this. Then last month Jessie and I were working on our new VineArts website and I was getting examples for her of what other art sites have done graphically. I showed her the ArtsLink site.
*Then on the retreat weekend I saw a stack of ArtsLink postcards sitting out. I mentioned it to Jessie and we both raised our eyebrows. Sunday (the last day) I asked someone if they knew who had put them out. They told me that who had put them out. Well it turns out Jessie and I were riding to the airport with them! I thought perhaps they had gone on a team and were advertising for them. When we got in the car they asked Jessie and I what a day in Boise looks like for us...and Jessie let me answer. So I blabbed on and on about me and my heart for artists and worshipping God through art and what I do with Revelatorart and what I did in Scotland and what I do with VineArts. Jessie added in things here and there. Then I asked about the postcards...could they tell me about ArtsLink. They began to explain that what they do and what the application process looks like. They go to cities where there is an OM missionary connection located and then they send a team of artists to do stuff like prayer walks, set up easels and paint in the streets, do community murals, put on art exhibits from art that is created on site, etc. All of this was resonating in my heart. They had questions for me about things I had talked about. It was an amazing conversations. I finally asked what they're connection with ArtsLink was cuz it sounded like they might work for them. They then said that they FOUNDED ArtsLink! Oh MY Goodness! So after a lot of hysterical laughter on Jessie & my part...I realize that God had set me up. I was basically interviewed in the car! Jessie then mentions the email I had received last fall...I didn't even remember it! I was completely oblivious to what God was doing! Then I asked if they sent teams to Scotland or Ireland. She said that they have sent teams to Ireland and they are just now this year getting a connection for Scotland! OH MY GOODNESS! More hysterical laughter! So needless to say...I will be in contact with them. This was no coincidence...and I know that so many of the prophetic words spoken over me in Scotland about my linking...are continuing to be fulfilled. God is so faithful! And when God says GO...I will be going!
*Then to jump ahead a few days. When Jessie and I got back to Boise we had a debrief meeting with the pastors of Vineyard and it was an amazing time of conveying all that we had experienced. They were so impressed and blessed by all that we had to share.
*After the meeting Jessie then tells me that the pastor that oversees Missions for Boise Vineyard had called her that day and let her know that the Vineyard Pastor in Quito, Ecuador had phoned him the day before...they want VineArts to come down to do a missions trip this June to help paint some murals! OH MY GOODNESS! This was amazing! That's no coincidence! Jessie and I had met with that pastor last year about the possibility...but had not heard a word back until the day after we get back from this arts retreat! Jessie and I are extremely ecstatic and looking forward to leading our first VineArts art & mission trip...this summer! So I am going sooner than I thought!!!
I could go on and on (there's much more!)...and I'm afraid I already have. But as you can see...there was so much that took place on this retreat. I'll be processing and talking about it for months and years to come...just like Scotland! It really was just as profound an impact on me...and connected. The two experiences are like one...cuz it's the continuous thread of God interwoven in and through my life. I'm so excited! He is so faithful!
I had been googling art & missions cuz I was curious. I came across the ArtsLink site. What I read I really liked the idea of going on a short term team to specifically do art related missions. They're a part of a bigger organization called Operation Mobilization (sort of like Youth With A Mission). As much as it interested me...I don't ever want to do something unless I know that God is doing the sending. So I put the link in my favorite sites and left it. I had mentioned it all to Jessie though...so she knew my interest (and of course I continue to talk about my experience in Scotland, so she knows how important all this is in my heart). Well...in August, the pastor who oversees Boise Vineyard's missions asked Jessie and I to meet with a Vineyard pastor we have connections with in Ecuador. He was interested in the possibility of VineArts sending a team down sometime to do something. We sort of brainstormed together but he left us saying he'd think and pray about it. For me...the chance to go really excited me. But again...set it aside. If it's God's will, it'll come to fruition. Then last fall I got an email from a lady who worked for ArtsLink. She had found my Revelatorart blog connected to the New Renaissance Rising website. After looking around she thought I'd be a good fit for one of the art teams and wanted to offer the possibility to me. I emailed back and forth with her letting her know that coincidently I had already been praying about it. Of course I told Jessie this. Then last month Jessie and I were working on our new VineArts website and I was getting examples for her of what other art sites have done graphically. I showed her the ArtsLink site.
*Then on the retreat weekend I saw a stack of ArtsLink postcards sitting out. I mentioned it to Jessie and we both raised our eyebrows. Sunday (the last day) I asked someone if they knew who had put them out. They told me that who had put them out. Well it turns out Jessie and I were riding to the airport with them! I thought perhaps they had gone on a team and were advertising for them. When we got in the car they asked Jessie and I what a day in Boise looks like for us...and Jessie let me answer. So I blabbed on and on about me and my heart for artists and worshipping God through art and what I do with Revelatorart and what I did in Scotland and what I do with VineArts. Jessie added in things here and there. Then I asked about the postcards...could they tell me about ArtsLink. They began to explain that what they do and what the application process looks like. They go to cities where there is an OM missionary connection located and then they send a team of artists to do stuff like prayer walks, set up easels and paint in the streets, do community murals, put on art exhibits from art that is created on site, etc. All of this was resonating in my heart. They had questions for me about things I had talked about. It was an amazing conversations. I finally asked what they're connection with ArtsLink was cuz it sounded like they might work for them. They then said that they FOUNDED ArtsLink! Oh MY Goodness! So after a lot of hysterical laughter on Jessie & my part...I realize that God had set me up. I was basically interviewed in the car! Jessie then mentions the email I had received last fall...I didn't even remember it! I was completely oblivious to what God was doing! Then I asked if they sent teams to Scotland or Ireland. She said that they have sent teams to Ireland and they are just now this year getting a connection for Scotland! OH MY GOODNESS! More hysterical laughter! So needless to say...I will be in contact with them. This was no coincidence...and I know that so many of the prophetic words spoken over me in Scotland about my linking...are continuing to be fulfilled. God is so faithful! And when God says GO...I will be going!
*Then to jump ahead a few days. When Jessie and I got back to Boise we had a debrief meeting with the pastors of Vineyard and it was an amazing time of conveying all that we had experienced. They were so impressed and blessed by all that we had to share.
*After the meeting Jessie then tells me that the pastor that oversees Missions for Boise Vineyard had called her that day and let her know that the Vineyard Pastor in Quito, Ecuador had phoned him the day before...they want VineArts to come down to do a missions trip this June to help paint some murals! OH MY GOODNESS! This was amazing! That's no coincidence! Jessie and I had met with that pastor last year about the possibility...but had not heard a word back until the day after we get back from this arts retreat! Jessie and I are extremely ecstatic and looking forward to leading our first VineArts art & mission trip...this summer! So I am going sooner than I thought!!!
I could go on and on (there's much more!)...and I'm afraid I already have. But as you can see...there was so much that took place on this retreat. I'll be processing and talking about it for months and years to come...just like Scotland! It really was just as profound an impact on me...and connected. The two experiences are like one...cuz it's the continuous thread of God interwoven in and through my life. I'm so excited! He is so faithful!
