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Worship is... 
What Happened to the Arts?
By Paul S. Williams
I live near New York City. Broadway shows often send shivers up my spine. I’m drawn to God in those theaters, as redemptive stories unfold on the stage before me. I often get shivers when I see worship dramas in church too. Unfortunately, they are shivers of a different kind.
Before I get myself too deeply into trouble, let me assure you my reaction usually has little to do with the quality of the performances. No, my problem is with the scripts.
Shakespeare understood great drama: “To be or not to be?” “To thine own self be true.” His thoughts came straight from the heart. The problem is the lines from many published church dramas seem to come straight from failed sitcom pilots, missing the heart altogether. The word “trite” would be appropriate. And it is not just in drama. Our predisposition to the bland extends to visual imagery as well.
Outside of a few grand old cathedrals in the East, not many American church buildings are noted for their architecture. Most look like warehouses. And commissioned works of art in the church? Hmmm. I’m trying to think of an example.
There was a time when the church took the lead in the arts. I have a friend, a feature film cameraman, who came to Christ through Renaissance art. Unfortunately, he had to go to Italy to have the arts lead him to faith.
Ah, I thought of an example. Goshen Christian Church in Goshen, Indiana has a beautiful mural above the doors of their worship center. Commissioned by thoughtful members of the church, the mural was painted by an Eastern European immigrant. I spoke there once and was so absorbed in the painting I didn’t want to get up to preach. I felt already spoken to.
It turned out that the drama at the megachurch in the Northeast was well done. It worked because it was simple, but not trite. The drama asked a question without attempting a hammer-blow answer. It left you pondering, as good art usually does.
I do look forward to the day when the church once again takes the lead in the development of great art. I am not, however, holding my breath.
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