Imagine That: Discovering Your Unique Role as a Christian Artist
by Manuel Luz
Moody, 2009, 194 pp., $14.99, Moodypublishers.com
Manuel Luz, who serves as creative arts pastor for Oak Hills Church in Folsom, Calif., has done something very brave. He confesses to committing a sin that many worship leaders (including some I have played with) share.
Settle down. It’s not a sexual sin; but it’s still serious, because it’s a theological sin. Here’s his confession:
“One day, after being a creative arts pastor for more than 14 years, I suddenly came to the realization that I had no real theology of art…I realized that my understanding of my art as it related to my faith was insufficient, incongruent, incomplete.”
Like many men and women who are involved in leading worship—either full time or part time—Luz applied what he knew about secular music to ecclesiastical music. In his case, it was after years playing in a cover band that performed rock, pop and Motown on Friday and Saturday nights that he transitioned to playing praise music on Sunday mornings. Unfortunately, he never really transformed his thinking about the musician’s calling or purpose.
God bless Luz for his honest confession and for this solid, helpful book that articulates a sound theology of art in 14 simple but profound chapters. These chapters explore what it means to be an artist who is created in the image of the ultimate Creator. They explore what it means to serve the Creator God and a congregation of people who desire to follow Him. They explore the role of mystery and transcendence in worship music. They explore the importance of technical excellence, artistry and beauty.
Maybe you never have worked through your theology of art and creativity. Maybe you never really thought you needed to do so. Maybe you thought out your theology of worship years ago when life was simpler and realize now that it could be deeper, more coherent and more engaged with the work you do and the music you help create on a weekly basis.
Either way, Luz has been down this road before you. He is a wise guide who can help you connect the dots between the Creator, your own creativity and the work you do to help others experience the reality of God in worship.
