Fresh Ideas … by Diana Davis

Artistic methods to honor God are innumerable — music, mime, photography, sculpture, puppetry, watercolor, videography, clowning, woodcarving, murals, quilting, graphic art, decorating, stained glass, costume design, metalwork, needlepoint, media arts, poetry … the list goes on and on.

Diana Davis

Original art. Invite artists in your church to submit original Christian art for use on bulletins, newsletters, bookmarks and event programs. A church foyer can feature members’ art.

Drama captivates. Street drama sketches are effective in many missions settings and outdoor events. A quality drama team can bring a sermon theme to life with a brief sketch, dramatic reading, signing or interpretive movement.

Simultaneous sermon art. An artist working onstage creates an entire painting or chalk drawing to illustrate the message of a song or sermon.

Art exhibit. Plan months ahead for an annual Christian art exhibit at your church. Use a different theme each year, and invite artists to submit Christian art of all mediums. Plan a reception for the artists.

Focal art. Artists in our church designed amazing, huge, focal backdrops for revivals, missions emphases, sermon themes, special events and youth camps. I visited a church where the entry walls were covered in paper and artists had illustrated the sermon series. What an impact!

Talking sidewalks. As a fun Saturday project, artistic teens can multiply a sermon’s impact with sidewalk art, reemphasizing a key word or teaching.

Raise your banner high. Banners can add color and focus to your worship center, atrium or gymnasium.

Arts smarts. Christian artists could plan a music conservatory or arts program with a strong Christian witness for adults or children. Organize a community-wide family Christmas craft party.

Dinner theater evangelism. Plan a quality annual summer dinner theater with a full-length evangelistic Christian drama. Invite artists to assist with backdrops and sets, encourage members to bring lost friends.

Get creative, church. Encourage artistic expression. It’s one of the most overlooked and underutilized means of sharing and praising God.