Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Being Bezalel: Using Your Gifts to Serve the Lord
In case you’ve ever wondered if your artistic talent is anointed by God and useful to the church, consider Bezalel:
Exodus 31:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, (2) "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, (3) and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts- (4) to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, (5) to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.
Bezalel was gifted by God for the specific purpose of creating things to be used in worship. This should be good news for all of us with a creative bent. I know many artists who are frustrated because they would love to use their creative gifts in the church but their church sees no need for the arts. I find this amusing. They worship surrounded by stained glass (the work of an artist), read from bulletins covered by beautiful illustrations (the work of an artist), have banners hanging on their walls (the work of an artist), and even the buildings themselves are often beautifully ornate (the work of a strange kind of artist called an architect, an artist who can also do math). There is definitely room in the church for the artist.
The difficulty for some artists is simply that their church leadership doesn’t know what to do with them. This is fairly easy to remedy for the artist. First, pray; ask the Lord to help you find ways to use your gift to worship Him. Bezalel’s story tells us something very plainly. The gifts God gives us, He gives for His glory. If you are an artist, it is because God made you an artist.
After you’ve prayed, go to your pastor and simply say, “I am an artist and I would like to serve the church with my gift.” Sometimes it is that simple - We have not because we ask not. After you ask, be patient, he or she may not be able to think of something for you to do right away, but the thought will linger in his/her mind, (“I have an artist in my congregation, who can I use him/her?”)
Next, find a need and meet it. Children’s ministry is often a great place to start because children’s ministry tends to be the most visually based ministry in the church. My whole ministry started because a pastor asked me to paint a backdrop for Vacation Bible School skits. Projects well done and faithfully executed tend to open doors to more opportunities.
There is one final area that needs to be addressed and this one goes to the heart of the artist. Bezalel was given all these gifts from God for His service, but note what it says in the next few verses. There is a detailed listing of all the things Bezalel and his fellow artists and craftsmen were to make and then at the end of Exodus 31:11 it says: “They are to make them just as I commanded you.” This is a key. Art in the church is not necessarily art for art’s sake. It’s art for God’s sake. It is to be done God’s way, for the glory of God and the edification of the body. This means your art is less about your style, your likes and your “artistic needs” and more about bringing the people and God closer together.
I know some really talented artists who feel as if their gifts are being rejected by the church and that’s just not the case. Rather their style is not compatible with the people they are trying to reach, the congregation. If we are going to succeed as artists in the church, we have to consider the needs of the congregation over our own creative needs. We must learn to submit to those in authority and do as they ask. Bezalel was gifted by God to do some amazing works, but the works that he did were done to very exacting specifications, God’s specifications. The work Bezalel did was about so much more than Bezalel. It was about drawing people into the worship of their creator. Isn’t that what we’re really trying to do when we desire to share our gifts in the church? Be like Bezalel. Use all your gifts for God’s glory and do it God’s way.
(This is my article from the most recent Dream Builders Ministry in Motion Ezine, to read more of the articles in this really helpful ezine go to http://www.ministryinmotion.net/MIM_Feb_23_2009.html )
(1) comments
In case you’ve ever wondered if your artistic talent is anointed by God and useful to the church, consider Bezalel:
Exodus 31:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, (2) "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, (3) and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts- (4) to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, (5) to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.
Bezalel was gifted by God for the specific purpose of creating things to be used in worship. This should be good news for all of us with a creative bent. I know many artists who are frustrated because they would love to use their creative gifts in the church but their church sees no need for the arts. I find this amusing. They worship surrounded by stained glass (the work of an artist), read from bulletins covered by beautiful illustrations (the work of an artist), have banners hanging on their walls (the work of an artist), and even the buildings themselves are often beautifully ornate (the work of a strange kind of artist called an architect, an artist who can also do math). There is definitely room in the church for the artist.
The difficulty for some artists is simply that their church leadership doesn’t know what to do with them. This is fairly easy to remedy for the artist. First, pray; ask the Lord to help you find ways to use your gift to worship Him. Bezalel’s story tells us something very plainly. The gifts God gives us, He gives for His glory. If you are an artist, it is because God made you an artist.
After you’ve prayed, go to your pastor and simply say, “I am an artist and I would like to serve the church with my gift.” Sometimes it is that simple - We have not because we ask not. After you ask, be patient, he or she may not be able to think of something for you to do right away, but the thought will linger in his/her mind, (“I have an artist in my congregation, who can I use him/her?”)
Next, find a need and meet it. Children’s ministry is often a great place to start because children’s ministry tends to be the most visually based ministry in the church. My whole ministry started because a pastor asked me to paint a backdrop for Vacation Bible School skits. Projects well done and faithfully executed tend to open doors to more opportunities.
There is one final area that needs to be addressed and this one goes to the heart of the artist. Bezalel was given all these gifts from God for His service, but note what it says in the next few verses. There is a detailed listing of all the things Bezalel and his fellow artists and craftsmen were to make and then at the end of Exodus 31:11 it says: “They are to make them just as I commanded you.” This is a key. Art in the church is not necessarily art for art’s sake. It’s art for God’s sake. It is to be done God’s way, for the glory of God and the edification of the body. This means your art is less about your style, your likes and your “artistic needs” and more about bringing the people and God closer together.
I know some really talented artists who feel as if their gifts are being rejected by the church and that’s just not the case. Rather their style is not compatible with the people they are trying to reach, the congregation. If we are going to succeed as artists in the church, we have to consider the needs of the congregation over our own creative needs. We must learn to submit to those in authority and do as they ask. Bezalel was gifted by God to do some amazing works, but the works that he did were done to very exacting specifications, God’s specifications. The work Bezalel did was about so much more than Bezalel. It was about drawing people into the worship of their creator. Isn’t that what we’re really trying to do when we desire to share our gifts in the church? Be like Bezalel. Use all your gifts for God’s glory and do it God’s way.
(This is my article from the most recent Dream Builders Ministry in Motion Ezine, to read more of the articles in this really helpful ezine go to http://www.ministryinmotion.net/MIM_Feb_23_2009.html )
Labels: A.M.O.K., arts, Bezalel, Bible, creative, God, Jesus, Ministry
