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Post by metalikhan on Dec 22, 2011 12:33:11 GMT -5
Probably an odd prayer request here but it touches on our spiritual gifts and the scriptural warning about grieving the Holy Spirit in us.
There's a gent working at a church (we'll call him Tom) who does the graphics for all the media programs. He is also an artist — painter, sculptor, that kind of artist. He's done some stunning work for the church. One of his impressionist paintings is a representation of Christ's redemption for us —breath-taking!
For last Easter, the church wanted Tom to do a sculpture. He made an abstract representation of the crucifixion in which Christ's figure is not only spreading his arms wide on that cross but is also seems to reach toward the heart of any who look on the sculpture. An amazing piece of work honoring God's love for us.
Yesterday, the sculpture was in the dumpster. Tom had no say in the matter, but it was clear that the church's decision wounded him. (And, btw, this is a non-denominational, Bible-teaching, evangelical church.)
I felt absolutely sick when I heard about this as well as angry. That the church allowed such a cavalier wounding of a brother operating in his gift, that the ones who made the decision devalued both him and the art he made expressing God's glory — it defies comprehension.
So, please pray for Tom, for healing the damage his own brothers and sisters in Christ did to him.
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Post by Kessie on Dec 22, 2011 13:56:13 GMT -5
So why didn't he pull it out of the dumpster and sell it to someone who wanted it? I mean seriously.
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Post by metalikhan on Dec 23, 2011 0:18:56 GMT -5
The sculpture stood about 8 feet tall (possibly a bit more). I'm guessing the arm span was close to 6 feet. This was no small tabletop item. It was broken up to fit in the dumpster. There was no opportunity to rescue this artwork.
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Post by Kessie on Dec 23, 2011 0:35:54 GMT -5
As an artist, that burns me up. I'll be praying for him.
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Post by waldenwriter on Dec 23, 2011 12:00:32 GMT -5
I think that's awful what they did. I would be very angry if someone did that to me. Will try to pray for your friend.
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Post by beckyminor on Dec 23, 2011 23:17:01 GMT -5
Gasp. That is insane. I can't believe no one called him and had the decency to say, "Hey, we're redecorating (or whatever)" and at least offer him is work back. I'm so sorry to hear this sad story, and will pray for "Tom," that his faith will not be shaken.  |
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Post by morganlbusse on Dec 23, 2011 23:40:06 GMT -5
That was definitely insensitive. So sorry to hear that. Will pray for the man...
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Post by metalikhan on Dec 24, 2011 11:39:14 GMT -5
Thanks for your prayers on his behalf.
I pray, too, that his faith is strong enough to sustain this kind of blow. Moreover, I pray no bitterness takes root in his heart toward the burned-out lightbulbs who made the decision.
**claps hand over mouth** (Oops -- I'm still hot under the collar over this!)
I think it's disturbed others in the church, too. It makes it seem that the only spritual gifts the hierarchy values are preaching, teaching, administration, and music. If that's true, then this incident is only a symptom of a deeper sickness in this church. And the kicker: this isn't the first time something similar has happened -- not to Tom but to others. The devaluing of the individual smacks too strongly of the throwaway culture and the attitude that everyone is interchangeable. Maybe a prayer for the church is in order, too.
Hmmm -- no maybe about it. This church and its leadership needs prayer.
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Post by Divides the Waters on Dec 25, 2011 7:37:57 GMT -5
It almost sounds like a case requiring some manner of address, if not discipline, to the party involved. That was not only insensitive, it was mean-spirited. If I had my guess, it was done by someone with an anti-Catholic bias. I am very sorry for your friend.
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Post by birdnerd on Dec 25, 2011 14:30:46 GMT -5
Yikes!! Wow that's just messed up. You're right to be concerned about how this will affect Tom. I know how I reacted when someone destroyed some of my artwork, and it was nothing like an 8'x6' sculpture.
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Post by j2starshine on Dec 30, 2011 16:22:59 GMT -5
artist of either words or art or dance or whatever expression it takes, this just kills. Will be praying.
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Post by metalikhan on Jan 4, 2012 11:53:09 GMT -5
Thanks again for all your prayers.
It's still a sore point with some of the folks at the church, but the incident was one among others I've heard of since I first posted. A spiritual sickness seems to have swept the church that some are fighting while others are oblivious.
If this had been the case of just one person doing something so insensitive & mean-spirited to another, I would've hoped it would've been addressed. If not with disciplinary action, at least with an apology to Tom. But the decision was a group one from higher-ups in leadership.
Divides, you're probably right about the anti-Catholic sentiment, but there isn't a lot of overt Catholic bashing at this church. At least, no more than any other denomination gets. I think some folks flee to non-denominational churches not because they have a doctrinal issue with the others but because of some backlash against how they were raised as kids.
Anyway, there seems to be more than one sword of Damocles the church has hung over itself. It makes me wonder if God is sharpening His sword of chastisement and truth to deal with it, if He withdraws His annointing when a church strays too far into a mindset that devalues its own and His own.
Time will tell. Anyway, whenever the spirit prompts you, please continue to lift both this wounded brother Tom as well as a church in spiritual murk.
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