Art and Soul

The church is in major decline in the Western world. We cannot continue to use past evangelistic models to reach out to our modern world. Art and Soul explores ways of generating missional conversations in the community through the medium of art, offering theological reflections as well as practical strategies on how to connect with people outside of the church. This book surveys several approaches, including "Art and Soul," a course that teaches people who suffer from depression and anxiety to paint, and introduces youths, refugees, prisoners, and other at-risk people to art in order to better connect with their own personal narrative. Readers will learn about "Art for Justice," or how to use art in the marketplace to begin conversations in their local community. Art and Soul's initiatives for connecting with people through art will inspire and encourage Christ followers to step out and create places to engage with their community. "Thankfully, Michelle has written this fine volume to let us all in on her insights. You will not find in these pages suggestions on how to have stilted and awkwardly artificial conversations. What you will find is thoughtful reflection, borne of real life experience, on how to have artful conversations that help people discover and experience the life God has in mind for them." --Reggie McNeal, author of The Present Future and Missional Renaissance "Art and Christian faith have always belonged together. Many of the world's most remarkable artists have been Christians, and the great historic cathedrals are also galleries--none of which should come as a surprise, as creativity is the primary attribute of God on the very first page of the Bible! In this book, Michelle Sanders offers an exciting vision for art as a vehicle of spiritual transformation, combining insights from theology and culture with her own stories of using art to explore and celebrate the presence of the divine in today's world." --John Drane, author of The McDonaldization of the Church and Olive Fleming Drane, Affiliate Professor of Practical Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA "The church in the West desperately needs fresh color and creativity. Let's invite artists and practitioners like Michelle Sanders to lead the way. Painter and pastor, art therapist and storyteller, Sanders beautifully integrates her passion for art and for mission. As a church planter, she is taking what is in her hand--her paintbrush and easel--and connecting with people outside the walls of the church. . . . Sanders is at her best in helping people get in touch with their creativity and the image of God that is in everyone." --Darren Cronshaw, co-author of Sentness with Kim Hammond Michelle Sanders planted an alternative-style church with a focus on the arts and social justice at its heart to reach out to those who would not normally step inside a church. She holds a doctorate of ministry and has many years of experience as an associate minister in a large church.