Imagination Redeemed

Jeromie Rand, a pastor and computer science teacher, discusses the powerful synergy between faith and creativity. He emphasizes viewing God as the ultimate audience in artistic endeavors, which can expand creative horizons. Jeromie shares his own journey of overcoming housing challenges, highlighting the importance of community. He also reflects on how art can embody a gospel-shaped imagination, fostering deeper connections to beauty and meaning, and underscores the notion of returning one’s art to God as an act of gratitude.

Lancia Smith, a speaker at the Anselm Annual Artists Retreat, shares her insights on art, identity, and faith alongside Matt Burnett, who delves into personal and theological aspects of vocation. They explore whether being an artist is an eternal identity and discuss the balance between inner reflection and societal engagement in discovering one's purpose. The conversation also tackles mental health, the significance of beauty in understanding God, and how community fosters creative growth, all while emphasizing the redemptive power of art.

A few years ago, Phil Ryken wrote a satirical list of how to make your church an unhealthy place for artists. We noticed that a lot of the things on the list would also apply to pastors! In this episode, we explore the gulf that often separates pastors and artists...and wonder if it's not nearly as wide as one might think.

At Imagination Redeemed 2019, Amber Salladin led this breakout group in an interactive and song-filled exploration of the singing community. Amber joined us from Manhattan, where she is the music director at Emmanual Anglican Church, and pianist and conductor for various choirs and orchestras. 

At Imagination Redeemed 2019, Junius Johnson delivered this lecture on the "sacred theater" of art for the fallen world. We bring the divine to the ordinary, because there is no such thing as “ordinary.” 

Join John Skillen, a Gordon College professor and art historian, as he explores the transformative power of art in Christian communities. Skillen dives into the historical significance of art in worship, highlighting its ability to deepen communal faith experiences. He discusses how visual representations can enhance preaching and catechesis, while examining iconic artworks' theological themes. Additionally, Skillen emphasizes the need for a broader artistic expression within church practices to foster engagement and connection in today's skeptical culture.

Hans Boersma discusses the transformative power of music in reflecting Christ through Psalms. He explores how the church fathers interpreted Psalms and the sacramental nature of biblical texts. Boersma also delves into Christ's portrayal in Psalms, the patristic views on music, and the interconnectedness of Christ, music, Bible, and virtue in Christian faith.

If an artist visited your church, how would they know they'd be welcome? How does a congregation become a place known for its hospitality to artists? How can church leaders foster ministries that nurture artists, so that the arts become not simply a fun add-on or gimmick, but an integral part of the life of the church? In this episode, we talk about five things we've seen churches do to become artist-friendly places.

What does it mean to create art for church worship? In this panel discussion from the Imagination Redeemed 2019 conference, Hans Boersma, John Skillen, Junius Johnson, and Brian Brown discuss sacred art: what it is, how we lost it, and how we can bring beauty back into our sanctuaries.

Father Matt, a guest speaker focused on integrating art and sermons into spiritual formation, shares profound insights on how beauty enriches worship. He explores the transformative power of imagination in faith, emphasizing storytelling's role in understanding scripture, particularly through the Chronicles of Narnia. The conversation highlights the necessity of communal experiences in fostering encounters with God and the impact of diverse ideas on spiritual education. Father Matt advocates for a holistic approach, weaving art into church practices to enhance faith.