THE Arts In a Suffering World

1. The Arts and Trauma Healing (Wendy Atkins, GIAL)

As powerful means of expression and communication, the arts promote healing from the effects trauma has on people’s minds, emotions, spirits, and bodies. This presentation will focus on the causes and scope of trauma, the role of believers in helping the traumatized, and the effectiveness of the arts in facilitating healing from trauma. Contextualized examples of arts and trauma healing ministry will be shared. Participants will personally experience the power of the arts for trauma healing by engaging in a hands-on expressive arts therapy exercise.

2. Laments as artistic expressions of pain, sorrow, and hope (Wendy Atkins)

With wars, displacement, slave trafficking, domestic abuse, suicide, rape, and other tragic situations afflicting communities worldwide, laments serve as powerful ways to express the feelings, thoughts, and emotions evoked by such events. This presentation will demonstrate the importance of using laments as acts of personal and corporate worship. Biblical and contemporary examples of laments will be explored to discover guidelines for creating laments. An expressive arts therapy exercise of creating laments in varied artistic forms will conclude this session.

3. The Psalms and Peacebuilding in Pakistan (Eric Salwar, Fuller Seminary)

Over the last forty years, a gradual Islamization has bred radical religious hatred and social animosity against Christians in Pakistan. How should Christians respond to such religious hatred? In Pakistan, we are discovering that the Psalms provide common language and profound ways for Muslims and Christians to interact with one another, both musically and textually. Participants in this workshop will explore how to engage with Muslim neighbours through cultural musics and the Psalms to foster peacebuilding. Ultimately, this presentation shows how contextual musical expressions and related poetic content of the biblical Psalms can serve as bridges in meaningful interfaith friendship in Islamic contexts.

4. Peacebuilding with Children-at-Risk through Intercultural Music Interaction (Cara Pfeiffer, Fuller Seminary)

Children in high-risk areas need ways of learning to interact with one another, whether in the Middle East, Africa, or the United States. In this presentation, I share about a powerful experience of teaching peacebuilding skills to children-at-risk through intercultural music engagement at an inner-city school in Los Angeles, California. I show how children-at-risk can develop mediative capacity for sustainable peacebuilding through the scaffolding of skills during intercultural music encounters. This presentation includes interactively engaging in a drum circle and how to debrief the experience in ways that foster transformative music communication and peacebuilding in the lives of children.

5. Panel: The Arts in a Suffering World (All workshop presenters, hosted by Roberta King)

This panel session provides an opportunity to discuss further the implications of the arts in a suffering world. Questions and answers serve as the focus for attendees and presenters to think deeply about the role of the arts in stressful, life situations.

Session Facilitator: Roberta King

From a foundational understanding of the biblical theology of worship, we will explore the traditions of worship that have risen historically and globally and how they focus on different aspects of biblical worship. How does each expression represent the person of Christ? What are the distinctive of each worship tradition? What can we learn from a style different from our own that can enrich our worship? In this track, the seminar leaders will seek to answer these questions with a view towards appreciating each tradition and seeing how they express a theology of worship, or where they fall short. The traditions we will be focusing on are: evangelical, liturgical, charismatic and worship based on spiritual formation. There will also be an informative panel discussion with experts in the field of cross-cultural, cross-denominational worship.

1. Foundations: A Biblical Theology of Worship (Ron Man)

This track will begin with an exploration of unifying biblical principles that are foundational to all of the diverse worship traditions we will be considering.

2. Worship Services in the Evangelical Tradition: It’s all about Theme (Bill Rowe)

Churches in the Evangelical tradition focus in two primary areas, the Word and the Evangel, according to Richard Foster in his book, Streams of Living Water. In this session, we will explore how to develop worship services in churches primarily focused on the Word of God. We will look at ways to develop a thematic service that is rich in Scripture and that takes the congregation on a journey with all of the elements of the service like links in a chain, seamlessly flowing from one part to the next.

3. Charismatic Worship (Jack and Joyce Odongo)

This workshop will give a brief Biblical overview of Charismatic Worship. It will also illustrate the prophetic expression of the flow of music, worship and prayer (Revelation 5:8-the harp and bowl) that characterise Charismatic Worship.

4. Liturgical Worship in the Early Church & Today (with Global Examples),

(Frank Fortunato, HeartSounds International, and Paul Neeley, ACTInt’l)

We’ll examine the typical elements of a liturgical church service as developed in the Early Church, with relevant scriptures for each element. We’ll have video and audio examples of each element from around the world, and discuss how to integrate these elements into a church service that is less liturgical.

5. Contemplative – “Ancient Paths and Contemporary Spiritual Formation” (Nancy Nethercott) and Track Wrap-Up (Ron and Nancy)

We will quickly trace the church history which led to the monastic contemplative tradition of prayer/worship. Considering the renewed global interest in contemplative prayer services and spiritual formation, we will look at some of the strengths and weaknesses of this tradition, concluding with engaging in a short contemplative prayer service through song and Scripture

Session Facilitator: Nancy Nethercott

Growing numbers of global mission leaders today recognize that artists and musicians are strategic in facilitating ‘contextualized Christian Community Formation’—the process of drawing out from a people’s heart language and expressions the life, community and worship liturgies that maintain their culture care and mediate their faith walk.
At the same time these global leaders see that the emerging Orality Movement is transformational in Church history and one of the most significant developments in Kingdom advance in the past 500 years.
Therefore two realities are beginning to converge: the need to merge artistic practitioners with orality skills and understanding. Said another way: 1) we fact the need to disciple artists spiritually (whether they are doing orality or using arts in other ways). And 2) we need to help arts-practitioners understand that they are some of the best GOD-designed orality implementors.
With those needs and developments in mind, the “Artists Discipling Artists — Orality in Disciple Making” Track looks to investigate some of the dynamics that will help see the merger of Discipling Artists in the understanding and skills of Orality for the sake of Global Missions today.

Practical and proven artistic principles in making disciples of oral preference learners. Topics include:
Artists Discipling Artists: Orality in Disciple Making (coordinator: Byron Spradlin)
1. Orality and its role in discipling artists?
2. Story evangelism: Orality. Nancy Wilson, Storyrunners
3. Theology of Arts in Life and Ministry (Dr. Byron Spradlin)
4. Artists Discipling Artists
5. Practitioner Panel — Oral interaction and artists’ discipleship.
Why & How oral artistic strategies work

Session Facilitator:
Byron Spradlin & Katherine Moorehouse

Track Leader Stephanie Biggs, representing the partnership between Heart Sounds International and Habari Maalum

Track Short Description

Sessions in this Audio Media Track will connect ideas, methodology, and practical applications of Ethnodoxology to producing audio (music) in the field, in the studio, for radio and everything in between. Participants and facilitators will also interactively discuss issues relevant to media specialists, artists, Ethnodoxologists, and pastors alike in order to draw on each other’s knowledge and experience.

Session Titles and Descriptions Foundational principles; What we do and why it is important in the Kingdom of God

How is media important in spreading the Gospel deep and wide? Through sharing their stories both Habari Maalum Media and College as well as Heart Sounds International demonstrate how contextualized audio media is valuably impacting the spread of the Gospel.

Facilitators: Emily Dickey, Frank Fortunato (Heart Sounds International), Astele Ndaluka and Edith Mmbaga (Habari Maalum Media and College)

What is audio and radio and can it be an effective ministry?

Drawing from years of experience, facilitators for this session will define audio media and radio as well as share some essentials for how both can be impactful as a stand-alone ministry as well as a successful component of any multi-faceted ministry.

Facilitators: Astele Ndaluka, Edith Mmbaga, Jackline Heriel, and Eliphace Elizaer (Habari Maalum Media and College)

How to produce great audio with what you’ve got In this session, we note what’s different between producing audio in the studio, and capturing it in the field as well as how both approaches can blend together using what you already have on hand to create something more than either approach could accomplish alone.

Facilitators: Biby Sam, David Oluseyi Ige, and Rob Veith (Heart Sounds International)

Media ethics: creative license vs. staying true to a creator’s intent

Is there a line between production and co-creation? What is a producer’s responsibility to their client’s creative goals? This session will explore issues related to production, ownership, distribution, and obtaining equipment in order to exchange ideas on these issues and help Christian media specialists develop best practices for where they work.

Facilitators: Habari Maalum and Heart Sounds International

Forum on contextualizing audio media and radio programming

A panel of experts in audio media as well as radio programming will explore issues related to contextualizing what is ultimately produced and distributed. Questions will be taken for the panelists to answer following a brief introduction to the topic.

Panel Members: All session facilitators

Moderator: Stephanie Biggs

God’s-Eye View: Film and Visual Media (coordinator: Jay Marburger)

1. Filmmaker as Theologian (Communicate International) [Tues.pm] This workshop will deal with theoretical case studies of older, mid-range and newer films as examples of the impact on the personal lives of those involved as filmmakers, producers or actors in faith films, as well as the lasting impact the films have ad on their viewers. The class will explore how to improve upon previous films as well as to learn and apply successful methods of integrating faith and film. Theological principles will be drawn from both Old and New Testament story similarities.

2. Filmmaker as Narrative-Changer (David Kuria) [Tues. am]

3 Filmmaker as Excellent Artist (Communicate International) [Wed. am] This workshop is a mini-film school that will cover all the basics of production that a filmmaker needs to start working on their first short, lower-budget, film. We will cover the necessary steps from brainstorming compact story arts, writing the script (and useful software), storyboarding, character description, casting, location scouting, filming, equipment, editing, distribution, making your money back, thanking donors and awards. We will have a special focus on aesthetics in terms of affordable equipment for on-field filmmaking, production design, costumes, colour correction and packaging of the product.

4. Social Media Strategies (Isaac Masiga, Good New Productions)
The purpose of the presentation is to offer an opportunity for participants to explore the social media landscape, learn how to integrate social web into broader organisational goals by designing viable social media strategies for organisations.

The areas covered will be:
• Identification of the characteristics of various social media platforms and their uses.
• Learn how to use one social media platform each week.
• Evaluate which tools suit an organisation’s purpose and style.
• Distinguish between social and traditional media.
• Compare and contrast effective social media use by various organisations.
• Design a social media strategy for your organisation.

5. Panel: Faith and Filmmaking
How does your story resonate with your target audience, whether African, Asian or American? How do we, as followers of Christ, tell our story effectively through film?

Practical EthnoArts

Tuesday

1) Arts Made to Order: Navigating the Nuances of Your Context (Katie Hoogerheide) – In the complexities of today’s globalizing world, you may find it increasingly challenging to identify and encourage the creation of arts that speak most deeply to the communities you serve. Using a memorable analogy, this session will equip you with guiding questions and best practices for navigating these complexities. You will also have the opportunity to apply the underlying principles of “Creating Local Arts Together” in your specific context.

2) Arts with God: Devotional sessions for groups that respond to scripture through the arts (Robin Harris) – Participatory devotional session you can use in a variety of settings, using accessible, non-threatening arts expression to help people engage more deeply with Scripture.

Wednesday

3) PANEL: Bi-artsicality: How learning a local tradition can connect you to communities – Featuring a panel of bi-artsical performers, we’ll discuss the challenges and the benefits of learning to perform multiple arts traditions. Bring your questions and personal stories!

Featured Panelists:

· Robin Harris – convener and host

· Sue Whittaker – studied a Classical Turkish art song form (“şarkı”) and the Kurdish folk song form in Turkey

· Susanna Harrington – studied Bharatanatyam dance form from India

· Ian Collinge – various instruments from interesting places

Thursday

4) PANEL: Tools for teaching ethnoarts – in the classroom and online – We’ll collect a file of the most effective assignments and course outlines, making them available to session attendees and discussing them in a panel session featuring outstanding educators who teach at various levels (workshop, undergrad, and graduate).

Featured Panelists:

· Julie Taylor – host

· Jill Ford – All Nations Christian College

· Brian Schrag – Arts for a Better Future

· Katherine Morehouse – Liberty University

· Robin Harris – Center for Excellence in World Arts at Dallas Int’l University (formerly GIAL)

· Katie Hoogerheide – SIL ethnoarts virtual training for newbies & Oral Bible Translation

· with materials from Roberta King – Fuller Seminary

5) “Participatory Methods” for the ethnoarts worker: Engaging communities for long-term impact through the arts (Scott Rayl, Wendy Atkins, Crystal Hao) – In this session you’ll learn to use tools from the world of “Participatory Methods (PM).” We’ll show how PM can be used for eliciting arts lists, getting to know a community’s hopes and dreams, and helping a community decide which arts they want to use to meet their goals

Session Facilitator: Robin Harris

Contextualizing the arts in a rural setting is one thing, but cities are vibrant, multicultural places, with a whole different set of challenges. This track will address a number of issues, and seek solutions, for effectively reaching out in an urban context. How do we communicate the Gospel in a church which speaks fifteen languages? Is it possible to please all of the people all of the time? Is fusion the way forward? What are the obstacles most commonly faced, and how can we best overcome these? Looking drama, music, poetry and visual arts, this track is indispensable to anyone reaching out in a multi-ethnic urban setting.

Details of the five breakout sessions:

Session 1 – Worship in the Diverse Church: the multi-ethnic challenge
How do we create a worship programme in a church comprising multiple ethnic backgrounds and cultures? Is there any way to please everyone all of the time? Case studies and models for inclusivity and fusion. (Ian Collinge)

Session 2 – Time to Act: the power of dramatic performance
How the use of drama and dance can communicate the Gospel in an urban setting. Similarities and differences of how drama is done across the globe, and the importance of contextualizing this within a given culture. (Julisa Rowe)

Session 3: Images of The Kingdom: visual arts and the Gospel
How can we use painting, sculpture and other visual arts to enrich a congregation? Logistics of how this is done, and tips on what works best. (Rev. Edward Ondachi)

Session 4 – Expressing Culture through Worship: why quality is important
How do we create culturally appropriate expressions in church music, whilst maintaining a focus on Christ and not the performers? Why quality and authenticity are important, but why these must serve to lead the congregation to worship, rather than detract from it. (Sandra Van Opstal)

Session 5 – What Constitutes Best Practice for incorporating the Arts into a Multi-Cultural Church? (Discussion Panel Session)
A panel of experts will be ready respond to your questions on this topic, so please come prepared!

Session Facilitator:
Rob Baker