First of all, I wonder if the way the church can truly reclaim the Arts is through the community of believers exercising their gifts together, the creative weaving of art, movement, drama, spoken word, story, poetry, music and song and other forms of media. When we enhance each others gifts in harmony will we truly have a unique mix that appeals and speaks in a way that says we truly love each other?
Could we start by integrating some of these together? Sermon-message with an artist who summarises in cartoon summary, music worship with poetry integrated eg to bridge between faster and slower tempos of song, prophetic drama within services etc.
No matter who you are and your journey with God be awake to create with God.
Poetry in Churches
I have been performing poetry, on and off, over the last 45 years. Starting out as a 17 year old, I entered myself and poetry into YFC (Youth for Christ) rallies in Dunedin, N.Z. (New Zealand), performing them as solo dramas. In most cases, I have acted out/ recited the poems in churches, outreaches or small groups as a solo performer.
I see Christian poetry as not always providing 'the answers from God' but connecting people using word images, connecting them to questions about life and God. My aim is that while you read and/or listen to a poem that for that moment in time you forget my name (and yours) as it speaks to or opens your spirit.
A short word picture that opens you to another world, poetry can be used for personal, group or church reflection. I have performed/spoken my poetry at all these levels and welcome you to use my poetry to help others, question, reflect and connect with God in our world - a matrix moment! My poetry covers a wide range of topics and sometimes just asks questions about why the world is the way it is (through both darker and lighter themes), other times I just worship a wonderful Living God.
My poems are free to use, but please do not use commercially, remix or publish them elsewhere without my permission. Send me a line if you would like to use one, as I love feedback and building relationships with people who appreciate poetry/spoken word. Enjoy!
Creativity
Remember you are made in the image of the Creator. The universe maker, the God of the small and unseen chooses us to communicate with others and make disciples. Whenever we create we are connecting with the Creator God and are celebrating His life in us. We are always giving thanks for his Spirit of inspiration and we are artistically creating with Him.
At the same time, Creativity is a journey not a destination. Share your gift/talent in a way that communicates you are on a journey not that you have arrived. We are all learning, born as a "words" baby we grow up in our gifts as we make decisions to hone what we do, seek feedback, put ourselves in the shoes of those we are writing for, as we read out loud, as we rewrite. Growth continues as we usually craft everything we write, as we edit our words, structure, clarity and meaning we honour the meaning in what we are writing.
Creativity is being a finisher. Find grace in your creativity, find the Author and perfecter of our faith, celebrate who God is in what you write, in the humour, in the dealing with issues, in the grief and anger - God is and has experienced it all. So even as you seek God in what you write persevere, fail and try again.
The best creators enable others to create. All gifts are made to be discipled into other lives, so encourage others, support them, grow and develop each other's gifts. I believe that if you are truly good at what you do, you demonstrate this humbly by discipling others in that gift and learning with them.
Creativity is our wonderful inheritance from a Creator God.
Poetry as Drama
I have taken some of my poems and acted them out as a solo performer. Tend to be away from a mike.
Poetry as Part of Worship
An area I would like to explore more. If you have a good relationship with worship leaders then why not arrange for a appropriate poem to help prepare people. With some background music to start worship, after the first song or just have it ready to go and have a signal arrangement with the worship leader. Also great if congregation can view it - see section below on viewing poetry.
Poetry as part of a Theme or Topic
For small groups, youth groups, worship, churches poetry provides a quick mind teasing way to explore a topic. designed to stir the mind and emotions and ready people for what else is happening in the moment/life-group/service etc. If you have a range of poems then why could they not be integrated as part of a message or sermon.
Poetry as 'Words of Knowledge'
I have often written a poem during a service, sermon and then read/performed this at an appropriate point. These poems I see as crafted 'Words of Knowledge' as they are 'words' for someone in the congregation. Whenever I write this sort of poetry, I think it is important to deliver it in a passionate way always remembering that there will be elements of truth in it for me also.
I write these poems on my phone during the message and worship.
Poetry as Prophecy
We are all called to the gift of prophecy, and a crafted prophetic word builds on this. If the words you write are a call to the present and the future and are to build up, encourage and comfort the body then you are writing prophetic poetry. I suppose the question is, "What poetry is not prophetic?" Is all creativity prophetic as it calls the unseen into our world, as it reveals the nature of God? We ourselves are a prophetic creation from the imagination of God - fearfully and wonderfully made.
Personal Poetry - to show you care
Poetry written often for individuals. They may have prophetic elements in them, empathy is important. For a wedding, funeral, someone deep in a hard time or just to celebrate and have fun. Step out - Write on card, email and see what happens.
Poetry in Evangelism
Poetry that is real and speaks to common human conditions can act as a part of outreach events, concerts etc. Hard-hitting, humorous, reality, each of these styles can entertain people and also get them to question where they are at with God.
Encouraging others in the Church to Write
Form a group. Meet, encourage, critique. Could use a closed Facebook group to share and encourage. Other options are to have a Poetry wall or washing line in the church for others to share. You are wise at first to have a process by which poems are submitted for display (could also have extra copies available). One of the important realisations I have come to recently from a prophetic course I was on, was that if we have a gift in something, one of the prime things we should be doing is encouraging others to grow their gift.
Viewing Poetry as you Perform it.
Make it easier for people to follow your spoken word if you can and either send (email, airdrop etc.) during service to the tech team or directly connect to the projector in conjunction with the tech team via airplay or similar. This way the audience can read the poem as you perform it which allows for better understanding usually and it's also easier for them to appreciate literary devices.
How do you write and publish your poetry?
I use an app called aNote on my iPhone that syncs with Evernote so that I can update or edit on my laptop. The advantage is that my poetry collection is always with me and synced to my desktop and cloud also. Using a DTP tool called Pages on the Mac, I turn them into illustrated poetry - spoken word. I have started playing with video media presentation also, looking to focus on a more 'street style' delivery from now on.
Finally, I am now posting all my poems on this blog/website but have a lot to put up yet. Especially, as I keep writing them!