My boss pointed out an upcoming webinar I might be interested in titled Artists in Missions: A reservoir of potential for cross-cultural ministry. From the flyer for the event:

Artists in missions? Mission leaders have a great opportunity to re-enfranchise artists for leadership in our new multi-cultural, post (hyper) modern culture. But embracing artists in ministry and missions is as tricky as it is fruitful. Still, new millennium ministry demands we include them — as ministry strategists as well as program presenters.

This webinar will help you understand how to involve artists in your cross-cultural ministry by considering the following:

• The value of artists in ministry
• The potential for incorporating artistics and creative culture in your teams
• Missionary roles for artists
• Identifying artists that fit your ministry
• Avoiding problems in recruiting artists
• Communication and conflict between left and right-brainers

The webinar is being given by Byron Spradlin, founder and president of Artists in Christian Testimony (ACT). ACT has been around since 1973 if I recall correctly, so Spradlin probably possesses a lot of useful perspective on this issue.

I have two reservations about this rare opportunity. First of all it costs $40 to register for the hour and a half presentation. Secondly, Spradlin is a musician. I have nothing against musicians or music — quite the contrary — but music can be a very different ball game than the plastic arts, especially when I think of how it might work in the context of missions. This is probably, hopefully an unfounded concern. ACT works with all kinds of artists, and Spradlin has been at this long enough to have a broad perspective.

I haven’t registered yet. The detailed flyer was only posted a couple days ago, and I’m waiting to see if I have to pay for it out of my own pocket or if the boss will reimburse me for it. I’m guessing that I’ll participate one way or another though. It’s a topic all too rarely broached.