Creativity Begins in the Sanctuary
A Heritage of Artists
The Anglican heritage has a long history of producing and nourishing artists. The poetry of John Donne and George Herbert, the hymns of Charles Wesley, and the celebrated works of many beloved 20th-century authors, including Dorothy Sayers, Charles Williams, and C.S. Lewis, were all informed by a robust Anglican faith.
And it is no wonder. Our very form of worship—in which we draw near to the heart of the Creator God—requires the creative engagement of each worshipper. One of the hallmarks of Anglican worship is the beautiful language of our common prayer. Another is our sacramental, liturgical, whole-body worship. Grappling with divine mysteries, like the incarnation or the grace of the sacraments, requires theological imagination. This is a creative endeavor.
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Catechesis in Creativity
Growing up, the mysteries of Christian worship moved me from a very early age. The holistic experience of the liturgy laid down, layer upon layer, a lasting foundation of prayer and worship in my heart, thanks be to God. It also shaped me in my creative life.
From my humble beginnings as a preliterate choirgirl, music surrounded me and nourished me. My parents were both active in music ministry at church, and I often found myself hanging around before and after services as they practiced—and usually roped me in. I went on to learn a whole jumble of different instruments and to study clarinet in college. For all the many ensembles I have performed with, the very first in my memory is my own church family, singing songs of praise together.
Together with music, the church was also a place filled with books. The weight of the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Hymnal juggled in my hands throughout the service seemed like a natural part of corporate worship. And what the books themselves contained, from Holy Scripture to the poetry of the collects and hymns, wove around me as a literary tapestry long before I could even understand many of the words. These shaped my love of literature and creative writing.
Across reading, writing, and music, my creativity began in the sanctuary.
A Disconnect of Community
In adulthood, I have participated in many creative communities: Brazilian drumming, creative writing, art galleries, and critique partners. These communities have provided friendship, solidarity, and support—but often not a shared faith. In my experience, many communities of artists are decidedly secular.
Christians believe in a Creator God who has made us in his image. As sub-creators, to use the term coined by Tolkien, Christian artists belong at the forefront of artistic expression, and the church belongs right there with them, supporting and equipping artists to be witnesses. The arts also belong in church conversations and teachings, whether created by believers or not, to fully engage our hearts, minds, and imaginations.
Here is the exciting thing: Anglican artists are involved in communities and organizations all over the province and internationally. But, as is the case with the many ministries and initiatives popping up throughout the young ACNA, they don’t always know about one another. This is where Anglican Compass can step in and serve as a gathering place to highlight these projects and connect artists and faith communities to each other.
Anglican Compass and the Arts
Anglican Compass already has posts that explore the dialogue between faith and art, especially in literary and musical expressions. I love this list of novels for every pastor to read because it celebrates the formative power of fiction. The Behind the Hymn series of articles dives into the context and beauty of beloved hymns.
One favorite essay touches on how the Anglican faith offers a critical antidote to the world’s invitation to “follow your heart,” a particularly threatening temptation to those in the creative arts. The author, a self-proclaimed “recovering expressive individualist,” tells his story from the perspective of a seminarian and then priest. However, his point is also vital to the creative life of faith for artists.
Anglican Artists in Community
Are there groups of composers who are collaborating to write new music for the church service? Are there works of poetry, children’s fiction, screenplays, or choreography steeped in liturgical worship and releasing its flavors in new ways? How can Anglicans today interact with secular artistic culture? These questions and more can connect Anglican Compass readers to the many projects and communities already out there working to strengthen ties between faith and art.
I hope for more posts that dive into that rich intersection of faith and art, exploring works of Anglican artists and providing tips for how Anglicans today, both clergy and lay, can engage with art to enrich their spiritual lives and ministries. And, finally, to take the delightful and inviting image of a digital front porch, let’s create a gathering place to connect with each other and discover projects, communities, and events that will support and inspire a new generation of Anglican artists.
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Arts & Culture Anglicanism holds a particular affinity for beauty and the arts. Here, we celebrate both historical and contemporary contributions to music, visual arts, architecture, literature, and more. Additionally, we reflect on the Church’s use of creativity and the arts in worship across the ages and engage in discussions contributing to cultural dialogue. Top…
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