Filling Blank Spaces: “How-To” Work with Visual Artists in Your Church

by Michael Winters

Filling Blank Spaces addresses a topic that usually gets blank stares in the church world. But Winters is a seasoned veteran of arts ministry and has developed a premier arts and culture movement in the United States, without elaborate budgets or celebrity cameos. Instead, this guide gives a “How-To” approach to understanding visual art as for and from the local church steering clear of both low brow kitsch and obscure couture. If you are ready to star engaging a wider and often under-reached swath of your city while awakening creative force within your local church than this book is for you.

70 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2017

Reviews

[Harbor Network · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Sojourn Network how-to ebooks are a great combination of biblical theology and practical advice, driven by a commitment to the gospel and the local congregation. Written by the local church for the local church - just the job!"
-- Tim Chester
Pastor of Grace Church Boroughbridge, faculty member of Crosslands Training, and author of over 40 books

"This series brings pastoral wisdom for every day life in the church of Jesus Christ. Think of these short, practical books as the equivalent of a healthy breakfast, a sandwich and apple for lunch, and a family enjoying dinner together. The foundational theology is nutritious, and the practical applications will keep the body strong."
-- Dr. David Powlison
Executive Director of CCEF; senior editor, Journal of Biblical Counseling; author of Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger and Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken

"Most leaders don't need another abstract book on leadership; we need help with the "how-to's." And my friends in the Sojourn Network excel in this area. I've been well served by their practical ministry wisdom, and I know you will be too."
-- Bob Thune
Founding Pastor of Coram Deo Church, Omaha, NE, Author of "Gospel Eldership" and co-author of "The Gospel-Centered Life"


"I've sat in those elder meetings and wondered, How are we supposed to know what to do in this situation? In those cases we've looked to help from our friends in the Sojourn Network, whose experience, wisdom, zeal for the gospel, and love for the Lord has been a great encouragement. I'm thankful for this series because I know how many pastors and other church leaders will benefit from such biblically informed guidance on a host of topics."
-- Collin Hansen
Editorial Director, The Gospel Coalition

"I cannot express strong enough what a valuable resource this is for church planters, church planting teams and young churches. The topics that are addressed in these ebooks are so needed in young churches. I have been in ministry and missions for over 30 years and I learned a lot from reading. Very engaging and very practical!"
-- Larry McCrary
Co-Founder and Director of The Upstream Collective

"There are many aspects of pastoral ministry that aren't (and simply can't) be taught in seminary. Even further, many pastors simply don't have the benefit of a brotherhood of pastors that they can lean on to help them navigate topics such as building a healthy plurality of elders or working with artists in the church. I'm thankful for the men and women who labored to produce this series, which is both theologically-driven and practically-minded. The Sojourn Network "How-To" series is a great resource for pastors and church planters alike."
-- Jamaal Williams
Lead Pastor of Sojourn Midtown, Louisville, KY

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good manual for starting and maintaining a visual art team in a church. Wish I had this some years ago when I took over directing our church's worship and arts teams.

[Brandon Woodard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Harbor Network's (formally Sojourn Network) How-To series. As a church planter who has artist in our church this book was a great primer in helping me engage our artists! Its short and to the point with a ton of practical resources in the back! I am excited to engage artists within our church now that I have read this!

Recommend this for any pastor looking to engage local artists in their church!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for artists in the church as well as church leaders on how to work with and support the artists in your congregation, and start thinking about art's place in the Church. Also has some really helpful resources in the appendices (again, not just for church leaders but artists!).