Saturday, March 27, 2010

kill the critic... me

Ok, so I feel like I've started this blog off on the wrong foot. I've been upset with how things are done in the church (especially when it comes to how dramatic story telling is done). I have been very critical, and I thought this would be a good place to share my criticism. I'd share my "wisdom" with the world... (ha ha)

I listened to a sermon the other day by Pastor Steve Wiens at Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, MN. (It's on iTunes if you want to hear it.) It was all about the difference between an expert (critic) and a master (artist). Now this was an important thing to hear as a frustrated, struggling artist wanna-be. But he wasn't talking about art. He was talking about life.

I also had a conversation with a friend from college yesterday. It was really fun catching up with her... But as she talked about her travels and the people she met and the conversations she had with brothers and sisters around the world... There are moments you remember why you love breathing. That was one of them.

We have a great big God who loves us. ...and by His grace I'm falling back in love with Him.

So here's the deal: I don't want to be a critic. I want to be a disciple of the master, not a student of an expert. God is big enough to handle the things that are wrong in the church. Instead of being a critic of all those things here, I would like to use this space in becoming a pragmatic lover/disciple of Jesus Christ my rabbi (master). I want to brainstorm, create, and do, throwing it all out there.

If anyone ever reads this... ;-) Hold me to it.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Wide open spaces

So, I sit here looking for a job. I feel like I have some great skills. I can write, direct, and perform theatrical material. I'm not bad at working with video, audio, and other communicative media. I am hardworking, friendly, and passionate about what I do. I see, what looks like, a need in the church, and I want to be a part of filling it. So why not?

It be one thing if I just couldn't cut it. It'd be one thing if I went to interviews and was turned down, or even if I sent in applications and never heard back. Then at least I'd know I'd need to get better or search again for my calling.

Instead, the position I seek does not seem to exist. It seems the church is willing to continue to submit itself to terribly written, poorly done, and ill received drama-skits, as long as they have preachers, teachers, singers, secretaries, guitar players, custodians, and audio technicians. Mind you, I have no problem with these people. I'm a church custodian myself. But in a culture soaked in dramatic story telling and with a scripture full of dramatic stories, wouldn't investing in theatre artist make sense?

Forgive me, I'm just a little frustrated and at a loss. Oh well. God is good. His Kingdom, His will.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

first blog

So here's my first blog. It ain't much. You'll have to forgive the spelling errors that I'm certain will occur.

This blog kind of comes out of frustration. I feel like I've been given some particular gifts, particularly in theatre. I feel that I have some passions, particularly for the church. It seems those things don't work together all that much... Yeah, I could try to do the theatre scene. I'm not a huge theatre scene fan though. I could try to get a job at a church (though there are very few church "drama" jobs out there). I could write sermon accompanying skits to be played out by enthusiastic volunteers... I don't know. Maybe I'm too proud. But I want to do something more.

I want to create, innovate, and push the envelope in my craft, faith, and community... Oh well... His Kingdom. His Will.