'One Afternoon in Sydney' was held last weekend in Sydney as a follow on from 'One Day in Melbourne' in April and those who attended enjoyed a remarkable panel discussion where participation took place from the audience.
The first part of the day was the Press Service International annual young writers conference and then after lunch they were joined by the 'One Afternoon in Sydney' personnel.
Reverend Bob Thomas welcomed everyone to 'One Afternoon in Sydney' explaining how these 'events' came about. Last year in Brisbane at the ARPA conference (Australasian Religious Press Association) where he and Dr Mark Tronson met over dinner considering an event for missions, Christian bloggers and small Christian media outlets.
The result was 'One Day in Melbourne' which saw 50 plus people attend representing 24 separate mission agencies / societies along with Christian bloggers – all focusing on social media with remarkable speakers on specific areas.
Focus
MC Sophia Sinclair introduced the two workshop options, one was with NSW corporate media executive Josh Reid and the other South Australian artist Justin Monaghan. Their seminar notes can be read in detail in the Young Writer Conference article published today in Christian Today under "Comment Articles".
Panel
This was followed by a 90 minute panel with the following people – Josh Reid and Justin Monaghan, along with Auckland's Tash McGill, Brisbane film maker Charis Jackson and Hobart's Thomas Devenish a television motion creator. The topic was titled 'Wrestling with Faith through Art and Media'
The sad truth is that it is not a lack of creative Christians, but Christians who don't know what to do with their creativity.
We have highlighted worship through song, but maybe a lack of platform for other creative avenues that are now being explored more and more. Creatives should start knocking on doors, the opportunities are there.
Christians buy into a bunch of rules that have been made up, that are not necessarily true. People stick to what is "safe and what is true". The challenge is to remove the rules and frameworks away and leave it with God. Rules and frameworks are the antithesis of creativity.
Christians don't have to make overtly creative pieces. Why do Christians have to make overtly Christian films. As Christians we need less films about how to be Christian and more about how be human, which leads us into a deeper discussion on why we need God. Putting limitations on what we do also puts limits on the audience, are we missing out on engaging our audience at a different levels? Unexpected levels?
It's surprising how many people will listen to an overtly Christian radio station and the stories of how they are witnessed to or touched by Christian music. So many unchurched people without a faith tuning into a station designed for Christians.
What is the role of faith and creativity/art in churches/ our church communities?
Creativity can add layers to a church service, catering to other learning styles, more ways to engage with the message. What are some practical way that leaders can engage creatives in their church - Art speaks in a way that words cannot - visuals throughout the service. Creating videos to introduce a series...
You have to be committed to the long haul with taking small steps towards with others in the church community to try new creatives. Creatives best contribution is not the literal translation of their creativity, but instead by asking the questions of "why are we doing it that way" "why can't it be done this way"
How has your creative work shaped, taught you and shaped your faith?
It has allowed you/equipped you better to take risks and challenge yourself. Creatives are sometimes in environments where Christianity isn't embraced and it means they are confronted more often and required to take a stand for their faith.
Creatives are sometimes in a position where they put their work forward and have to defend it or explain it. It can lead to a stronger understanding of God and his word. A new importance of apologetics. Creatives tap into their life experiences- which provides them with more proactive habits of looking at their lives and how God is working through them. When we are writing and creating we are co-creating with God.
When you journal, create there is a real therapeutic aspect of it - a way of expressing it and giving it to God. Society can be very much about suppressing the bad things and creativity is about expressing it, putting it back out there. Doubt, rejection and insecurity are familiar nemesis for creatives. You need to wary of the need to be "always happy". Creatives' work helps others to know that they are not alone in their lack of happiness.
Missionaries attempt great things for God and expect great things from God and keep plodding. Creatives are also experienced in the plod.
The hesitation of fear of the Church in regards to the media
Plato argued that poets and storytellers should be banned. Because lectures and sermons, everything is carefully planned, plotted and ordered. Poets present something that seems like entertainment but actually contains a message or controlling ideas. Poets are more dangerous because their message gets taken in consciously at an entertainment level and at an unconscious level it's message sinks in at a deeper level that impacts habits and decisions. As seen in the impact of Hollywood.
Journalists are looking for a great story- so who's responsibility is it if they can only find bad stories? Establish good relationships with the media/with journalists. The more conversations you have, the more interactions the less fear you have. The last thing we want is fear to be running things. It could be argued that the purpose of the creative is to be provocative- to make people question. Artists are the prophets of the generation- they provoke, challenge and cause people to wonder.
Boundaries are important for a creative person. Once you have set your boundaries you can be even more creative within in them than someone who has no boundaries at all.
Definition of art – That which is useless.
Definition of craft – applying ability and skill to create content.
Architecture is a craft which has a small sub-division of art.
There was considerable discussion from the floor as to art and craft whereby craft itself is the essential for life achievements in all fields.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html