The Urban Dictionary (Yes, I know this is not exactly a scholarly resource) defines the term Artsy Fartsy as “something supposedly highly cultural but to the regular, sane person, merely pretentious.”
When you think of art, what typically comes to your mind? Is it “artsy fartsy” stuff made by “artsy fartsy” people? Or do you think of the garden you just planted in your back yard? Do you think of DaVinci’s Mona Lisa, or your daughter’s watercolor you put on your fridge? Do you envision the artist Banksy and his politically driven street art, or do you picture the ’57 Chevy you and your dad restored when you were a kid? The point is: art, like so many things, is so much bigger than the narrow confines we typically place it in.
So what is it? Art is anything we create with beauty in mind that in turn brings glory to God. When God, the Eternal Artist, created us, He made us, His handiwork (Ephesians 2:10), in His image. That means that all of us are wired to create as He created. It also means there is no way to escape the reality that each of us has an artist inside of us. So whether it is a painting, a graphic design, a house, or a marvelously crafted egg sandwich, all that we create has the potential to bring glory to God if it is created with beauty in mind. Thus, art is worship, and through our art we become worshipers of God.
As we begin to plant this new church, I have been hesitant to say that we are targeting the art community despite our desire to create a space for art of various kinds in our gatherings. If we say we are targeting the art community, we drastically narrow the scope of whom God has called us to reach. I hope that we reach the professional artist, but it is also my hope that ACC releases the artist within all of us, honoring and elevating everything that is created with beauty in mind and brings glory to God… including a good egg sandwich.
Just a thought,
Jason