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I grew up surrounded by visual art. As young adults, my parents befriended emerging artists and built a small collection of original pieces and lithographs that have been hanging on the walls in our house for so long they are now as familiar to me as a childhood friend.
And yet as a pastor, the world I inhabit is often saturated with words: From the invocation to the benediction, we in the church use words to encourage, teach, inform and bless the congregation. But along with words, let’s take a few moments to consider the visual arts as another form of theological expression.
Many churches have a long history of showcasing art, from stained glass to statues to the tracery across the front panels of the pulpit. But often, it seems, our modern houses of worship fail to appreciate this tradition. We may have a mass-produced print of “The Last Supper” hanging in the fellowship hall or a poster of the Ten Commandments conspicuously on display.
According to Amy L. Sherman, “Beauty is a powerful witness.” In our image-saturated culture, this is not always easy to remember. We quickly scan and scroll past so many images daily that we can easily overlook the impact of creativity expressed through the visual arts.
Christian churches have a unique opportunity to make the world more beautiful through art. Whether it’s children in Sunday School indulging in finger painting or adults engaging in visio divina — a prayer practice of “divine seeing” — church life offers many opportunities to appreciate art.
For instance, what would it look like for congregations to partner with local artists to add beauty to public spaces? How might churches be intentional about buying from artists when redesigning their spaces?
Visual art should be an integral part of our modern ministries. In a world that is marked by so much ugliness, how can we use beauty to be a powerful witness to the love and grace of God?
Resources
‘Threads of Community’: Quilting and the Black church
Members of a sewing ministry and an artist share the way in which quilting honors tradition while also serving as a form of self-expression.
Produced by Brianna Jackson
Artistic creativity fuels a Houston church’s mission
A Texas congregation has formed itself and transformed a worn-down warehouse with art at the core of theology and community.
By Lindsay Peyton
‘What is our church art for?’
Iconographer Kelly Latimore creates art that uses a traditional style to depict contemporary people and, he hopes, to bring people together.
Q&A with Kelly Latimore
Rethinking the image of Christ
A counter-cultural art exhibit in Pennsylvania challenges inaccurate representations of Jesus while encouraging visitors to consider decolonized depictions of the Messiah.
By Annette John-Hall
A Sanctified Art creates worship materials that affirm diversity and expand imagination
A woman-led ministry of theologically trained creatives is offering faith communities around the world a new vision for telling ancient stories.
By Edie Gross
Proclaiming the liberation narrative of God through church art
A Chicago church has installed a trio of stained-glass windows to help its members reclaim their past, honor their present and look ahead to their future.
By Celeste Kennel-Shank
Before you go
The ability to create visual art is a gift, in the same way being a skilled musician is a gift. But for some reason, we often do not embrace it in the church in the same way we embrace other gifts. This week, take some time to wonder: Who are the visual artists in your congregation? What might be possible if you invited them to unleash the beauty of the Creator in the world around you?
You can always share your ideas or feedback with me and the Alban Weekly team at alban@duke.edu. Until next week, keep leading!
Prince R. Rivers
Editor, Alban at Duke Divinity