I’ve been thinking about my
vision, mission, and all of those other things great leaders do to define their
purpose. My vision isn’t like most corporate visions; it’s about what kind of
world I’d like to see. One professor of
mine, Monica A. Coleman, refers to
it as an eschatological vision. This
site, Creating
the Future, refers to a vision as “the future you want to create for the community you wish to impact.”
This is mine:
My vision is a Christian community that understands the theological importance of the arts and culture, critically participates in its production and consumption, and comes to understand architecture as significant cultural influence on human relationships and activity.
I want theologians, ethicists, ministers, students, churches, Christian non-profit groups and other organizations to know that the arts matter so that they integrate artistic and cultural activity into their lives beyond the worship context. I want them to know that participation in the arts is not only for experts or elites and that there is no single normative “Christian” style. I see a world – presently developing - where it is common for people to deepen their Christian faith not only through Bible study, but through participation in dance, visual arts, drama and music activities. Through their participation as performers or audiences, they will come to know that the arts and cultural activities help us experience God’s goodness through beauty and delight. They will understand themselves as re-creators of the world and attempt to use the arts to reconcile humanity and our distorted relations with each other, other living beings, and the inanimate world. These culture creators and critics will unify and affirm their local communities, not divide or condemn them. Churches will make artistic people feel welcome and valued for their skills and ways of thinking, but they will not use them as means to an end or emotionally abuse them by reinforcing negative stereotypes. Dominant images of Christians will change from a group that is fearful and disconnected from the arts to a group that is engaged and interested in the culture.
My vision is a Christian community that understands the theological importance of the arts and culture, critically participates in its production and consumption, and comes to understand architecture as significant cultural influence on human relationships and activity.
I want theologians, ethicists, ministers, students, churches, Christian non-profit groups and other organizations to know that the arts matter so that they integrate artistic and cultural activity into their lives beyond the worship context. I want them to know that participation in the arts is not only for experts or elites and that there is no single normative “Christian” style. I see a world – presently developing - where it is common for people to deepen their Christian faith not only through Bible study, but through participation in dance, visual arts, drama and music activities. Through their participation as performers or audiences, they will come to know that the arts and cultural activities help us experience God’s goodness through beauty and delight. They will understand themselves as re-creators of the world and attempt to use the arts to reconcile humanity and our distorted relations with each other, other living beings, and the inanimate world. These culture creators and critics will unify and affirm their local communities, not divide or condemn them. Churches will make artistic people feel welcome and valued for their skills and ways of thinking, but they will not use them as means to an end or emotionally abuse them by reinforcing negative stereotypes. Dominant images of Christians will change from a group that is fearful and disconnected from the arts to a group that is engaged and interested in the culture.
I want churches,
Christian non-profit groups and other organizations to see their built
environments as a reflection of values and to change their spaces to be
consistent with their stated values and identity. I want individual Christians to become
critical and involved in the physical design of their neighborhoods, homes,
schools, and work environments.
1 comment:
While visiting my daughter in New York, I had the opportunity to visit the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. As I walked into the unfinished Cathedral, I was immediately overcome with emotion as I entered hearing the thundrous chords of the organ. I literally began sobbing as I took in the beauty of the Cathedral while listening to an organist practicing for an upcoming performance. I immediately envisioned myself living in the "Morningside Heights" neighborhood in one of the beautiful apartment buildings and being given the chance to walk daily to the beautiful Cathedral in hopes of catching a "practice of the organ" or any of the other arts programs that they hold there. Everytime I return to New York I find myself returning to this Cathedral to view the paintings on the wall and hoping to hear the beautiful powerful sound of the organ.
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