10 Ways to Create Artistic Community

Artistic community in the church is simply a "must do." Artists need each other. When you think about it, you have to admit that no artist, or person for that matter, enjoys being "used." Even task oriented people prefer to be appreciated for who they are in addition to what they can do. Over the years, my appreciation for the power of artistic community has grown exponentially, because artists and technical volunteers in the church create more transformational moments when they do so in the context of community. We all need to be known.

Some arts leaders naturally create a community of artists. Others need to work at it. The rest of this blog is for the later group. These ideas are for those who haven't yet moved their leadership to the "must do" community camp:

1. Buy the team pizza and sodas.
2. Create a green room backstage where the team can connect.
3. Put people into rotating teams who serve together regularly. Then switch the teams every six months or so.
4. Create a team blog.
5. Hold several team events each year (an early Christmas party or an artistic talent night).
6. Gather them monthly for an all-team meeting. Include programming and production volunteers. Use this time to cast vision and create community.
7. Pray together regularly before each rehearsal and each service.
8. Schedule a yearly or quarterly volunteer retreat.
9. Create a wall of appreciation (a bulletin board where they can leave each other notes of appreciation and care).
10. Place team members into shepherding groups. Assign a volunteer leader to each group to keep tabs on individuals' needs, prayer requests and major life events.

Raise the value of team and you'll raise the impact of your weekend services. It's worth every ounce of leadership effort.