Recently a friend phoned me up to ask if I would be interested in being involved in an upcoming women's retreat. She wanted to know if I would, as part of the worship service, paint or draw something to music. She explained that she thought it might be good to explore different modes of worship. Stretching our views on worship beyond choruses and hymns (though this tradition is extremely important) is a sentiment that I would whole-heartedly agree with.
But, as I shared with her, something in me is extremely uncomfortable with this certain way of "doing art" (or doing worship). I've been asked to do this before and have declined (citing mostly stage fright). For a long time I couldn't put my finger on what exactly made me feel so uncomfortable with this idea. I thought that maybe I saw it as a possible venue for "showing off" or that I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to produce something worth-while within such a short time frame. Both of these reasons are probably valid enough, but there was something more...
I think this type of activity propagates a myth about both art and worship. It tells us that art is something immediate, an expression of the inexpressible. That, for those blessed with ability, art flows from them naturally (or effortlessly). I'm not suggesting that expressionism is not art. I just think that in a culture so bent on immediate gratification, it important to realize that things of beauty and worth take time, effort, and thought (not that I think I've attained any of this).
If anyone thinks that art is an "effortless expression" I implore you to come and visit me on Tuesday morning while I procrastinate finishing about six different pieces and stare at the many failed attempts pinned to the walls of my "studio" (which is a leaky spare bedroom in our basement). It's not unusual for a piece to spend at least four months in development before I touch paintbrush to canvas (sometimes even years). Anyone who writes poetry, prose, or music can tell you the same thing.
It's interesting that it is the same myth when it comes to worship. Worship as an immediate expression - as an individual reaction to God. And sometimes it is. But most often, a life of worship is one of discipline. Worship takes time, thought, prayer, and obedience - in whatever form that may entail. It is out of these things that an immediate expression may occur - when the words of an old hymn hit your heart like a freight train, or a summer rainstorm makes you weep.
So I expressed these thoughts (much condensed) to my friend. We had a wonderful conversation and settled on something that we both can be very happy about. I am looking forward to participating! (I am also looking forward to hanging out with the wonderful and amazing women of my church and did I mention no kids?) I was very encouraged and touched by her (and the women's ministry committee) commitment to expanding our understanding of worship.
* * * * *
I've been to services where there are papers pinned on the walls and people are supplied with paint and brushes and encouraged to express their worship as a chorus is sung again and again. I'm sure that there are those who have felt a certain freedom when given this opportunity and I would in no way seek to undermine a significant spiritual experience for anyone. But the resulting product (the artwork) of such a service has significance only for the individual who produced it within that particular moment. More often than not, these papers are crumpled up and sent to the recycling bin once they start getting in the way. The moment of expression has passed.
If this is the
only way we can incorporate art into a greater attitude of worship, our understanding of both art and worship is severely limited. What about investing time, thought, and effort into making something of value that can speak to both congregation and community? What about producing something that retains its meaning and beauty for years and that continuously calls one to worship? It is certainly possible. I think it was done once or twice before.
Labels: art, church, faith, worship
