mike jones

As part of a very creative team at The Orchard, artistic expression is a key element.  Photography, film, artistic painting, music, and poetry (to name a few) all play a key role in influencing the creative pieces we use during our weekend gatherings.

One of the things I’ve learned (and continue to learn) is that exposure to a variety in these expressions of art changes your perspective and the tools you use as a part of your team’s articulation of art during your worship gatherings.

Music, for example, is an easy one for us to get stuck in.  We all have a tendency toward a particular style or genre of music.  Music has the ability to influence and move us – to change our mood or attitude, to motivate or inspire us – and the people we relate to as well.  I like a lot of different types of music and listen to, what I would consider to be, a pretty broad range of tunes. It’s still just a drop in the bucket of all that is out there.

If music has the ability to move me and affect me, and if I know that it has the same capacity to motivate and inspire others, wouldn’t it make sense that I would want to be exposed to as many different styles and types of musical expression as possible in order to better relate to those around me? Not everyone is motivated by 80’s music or indie (more than a genre itself) or rap or hip hop or rock or… dare I say… country.

So, are you under exposed?
What music are you listening to?
What architecture are you examining?
What sculpted works or paintings are you really trying to see differently?
What magazines or films or literature or poetry are you exposing yourself to?
What types of theater or film are you allowing to broaden your creative palette?

Our Creator is a creative God and is not limited to His expression of art.

Are you?

We’ve been in the middle of a message series at The Orchard called Yesterday.  It’s a series that takes a look at the spiritual leaders from the past, from Yesterday, and learning what we can to help us on our journey forward.

It has been a powerful series.

A few weeks ago, our church community took a look at Saint Benedict of Nursia who had some great teachings on Humility.  In response and preparation for the weekend gathering,

I wrote a poem which we had Chris Rayford do a dramatic reading of at the end of the service.

Humility

we gathered together
the night before
did a lot of walking
listened to some talking
electricity in the air
time to remember
a time to eat and drink
my feet were dirty but now they’re clean

I expected a lot
the night before
I was a nobody before I met him
right-hand man now I’m hoping
time for a change
he’ll take the reins
show us how to lead
my feet were dirty but now they’re clean

we met in that room
the night before
to praise what God had done
how he had once saved us
now we have a king
“Hosanna!” they did sing
is it really God’s son we’ve seen?
my feet were dirty but now they’re clean

as we sit at the table
the night before
who will wash us? who will serve?
was anyone for this job secured?
for certain not me
get on hands and knees
to make us ready to eat
my feet were dirty but now they’re clean

then it happened
that night before
he picked up the basin of water
picked up the place of no honor
as a servant he knelt
I did nothing to help
what could it possibly mean?
my feet were dirty but now they’re clean

he washed our feet
the night before
washed us all one by one
in a servants place, God’s own Son
I couldn’t believe it
“master please stop it!
you’ll never wash my feet”
but they were dirty and now they’re clean

with tears in my eyes
that night before
I watched the master, the Son
wash our feet, one by one
me and the others who stayed
even the one who betrayed
“do for others as you have seen”
my feet were dirty but now they’re clean

so much humility
that night before
the next day showed even more
he died in my place, my Savior
put me above himself
could I do for someone else?
lift others as greater than me?
your feet were dirty but now they’re clean

Thanks for the encouragement from my team and fellow leaders and for God’s inspiration. Now go in humility.