Worship Arts July August September 2022

I can attest that embracing our baptismal vows could be dangerous. These vows challenge us to take our art beyond the safety of our sanctuaries to the centers of ‘evil, injustice, and oppression.‘

through the renewal of our baptismal vows and sharing at the table that the spark is kept alive. Each Christian has a vocation. The source of our vision is found in the sound of water poured and the taste of bread shared – or, said a different way, cleansing and nurturing. The renunciation of sin and profession of faith, part of our baptismal vows, clarify our direction of our voca tion: “Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin?” “Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?” How might we express our ministries if we chose artistic expressions that manifest the renunciation of evil, injustice, and oppression, on the one hand, and embrace the freedom and power offered by God, on the other? I can attest that embracing our baptismal vows could be dangerous. These vows challenge us to take our art beyond the safety of our sanctuaries to the centers of “evil, injustice, and oppression.” In the Eucharist, it is the invocation of the Holy Spirit that regenerates the fire that warms our hearts and inspires creative artistic endeavors: “Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet.” Focusing outward and forward W hat might our ministry through the arts look like if we really risked the empowerment of the Holy Spirit? Through the arts we not only have the potential

of experiencing the embodiment of the risen Christ, we also have a sense of direction. Our art is to do more than make a particular gathering of the faithful feel happy. Our art is to make us “one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.” Once again, it seems that our focus is ultimately outward and forward, not inward and static – sounds like we might potentially be moving way out of our comfort zones. The Holy Spirit also provides the energy for our journey. The renewing power of the sacraments breathes spiritual oxygen on the spark that threatens to be extinguished by burnout, conflict, and over whelming need. How do we order our holy work as we embody our vocation in a particular place and time? Perhaps John Wesley has some words of advice. The preamble to his famous “Directions for Singing” (1761) is often overlooked. It is the preamble that provides the basis for why we sing. Wesley says, “That this part of Divine Worship may be the more acceptable to God, as well as the more profitable to yourself and others, be careful to observe the following directions:” John Wesley is offering a rationale for singing based on the biblical mandate found in Matthew 22:36-40: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Or, to put it another way, embodying your vocation depends on a balance of the twin commandments. It turns out that John Wesley was not just providing a list of seven steps for a great choral sound. The sound that he wanted was rooted in the ethical fulfillment of the law – how to express your love of God with “all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and how to express your love for your neighbor – a love as abiding as the love we would show for ourselves.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________ July-August-September 2022 • WorshipArts • umfellowship.org 15