This past weekend I had the privilege to attend and present at the Regional Gathering of other creative and innovative ministry leaders of Artists in Christian Testimony, International. This is my tribe. These are my colleagues. This is also a chance to sit under the teaching of our leader, Dr. Byron Spradlin, who founded ACT,I 50 years ago.
Sitting under Byron’s teaching can be a little like taking a drink from a fire hose. Allow me to share a few take aways I continue to ponder.
-Rather than artist or creative, the more accurate biblical definition would be “Imaginative Expression Specialist.” Byron defines the terms as a person unusually wise at imaginative design.
-God has endowed some people with this unusual wisdom in order to lead others into touching the “transcendent realities of life and God Himself.”
-Being gifted in this manner does not make me “special;” it makes me specialized.
-According to CS Lewis: “For me, reason is the natural organ of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning.” (Emphasis mine)
-To be imaginative is to be able to form in the mind before fashioning in time and space.
-As a Christian artist, I am responsible for the intersection of my faith, my art, and the greater community both within and outside of the church.
-God meets with His children individually with vision and message.
And so much more!!!
I am sure what I heard and am digesting will flow out of me in one form or another as time goes forward. In the meantime, I invite you to sit and chew on these thoughts with me.