Taking It to the Streets: Using the Arts to Transform Your Community [Paperback]

J. Nathan Corbitt (Author), Vivian Nix-Early (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003

A quiet yet powerful revolution is going on. All over this country and across the world creativity-in the form of visual arts, music, dance, drama, and technology-is providing an emotionally expressive vehicle for communicating truth, developing character, and crossing cultural boundaries to build the kingdom of God.
J. Nathan Corbitt and Vivian Nix-Early visited numerous artists, faith communities, and arts organizations to discover and document how the arts are being used to transform people and communities, especially in urban settings. The result is this extensive handbook that combines real-life stories with tested methodologies to create a new paradigm for the role of the arts in Christian ministry and mission.
Taking It to the Streets provides church and mission leaders, youth ministers, and students with a historical perspective and theology for understanding the transforming power of the arts, a vocabulary for discussing them outside the sanctuary, and creative methods for bringing faith to action in the streets of society.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

How can you present the good news of Christ so that new generations experience God's transforming love?

"There is a great distance between wanting to make a difference for poor people in the inner-city and knowing how to do it. Corbitt and Nix-Early, along with the amazing cast of characters they introduce to you in these pages, have traveled that distance by way of their imaginations and the arts, in the name of Jesus."-Bart Campolo, president, Mission Year

"This helpful book fills a significant gap in the growing literature on holistic faith-based programs."-Ronald J. Sider, president, Evangelicals for Social Action

"This volume is the first of its kind. It will challenge the church to think out of the box as it enhances the growth of God's kingdom in our inner city neighborhoods."-Manuel Ortiz, professor of Ministry and Urban Mission, Westminster Theological Seminary

"A wonderfully innovative and useful book. If church leaders and artists will take its message to heart, good stories will fill the earth. That's a worthy goal in a crazy world."-Charlie Peacock, musician, author of The AWAKE Project, At The Crossroads

"Corbitt and Nix-Early show how vital the integration of the arts is, not only in an individual's life, but in how we relate to one another, and how we build community."-Grace Roberts Dyrness, associate director, Center for Religion and Civic Culture, University of Southern California

"Whether artist, urban minister, clergy, student or academic, you will find plenty in Streets to stimulate and challenge you and others around you."-Rudy Carrasco, associate director, Harambee Christian Family Center

J. Nathan Corbitt is professor of cross-cultural studies at the Campolo School for Social Change, Eastern University, and is cofounder and president of BuildaBridge International, a nonprofit arts education organization.
Vivian Nix-Early is dean of the Campolo School for Social Change, Eastern University, and is cofounder and chief operations officer for BuildaBridge International.

About the Author

J. Nathan Corbitt (D.M.A., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of cross-cultural studies at Eastern University and cofounder of Buildabridge International, a nonprofit arts education organization serving the poor around the world. He is the author of The Sound of the Harvest: Music's Mission in Church and Culture, The Global Awareness Profile, and numerous articles on music, the arts, and cross-cultural issues.

Vivian Nix-Early is dean of the Campolo School for Social Change, Eastern University, and is cofounder and chief operations officer for BuildaBridge International. A clinical psychologist and published author, she is director of youth activities and the church school superintendent for Star of Hope Baptist Church, Philadelphia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801064228
• ISBN-13: 978-0801064227
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #477,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For the creative church, August 14, 2008

By 

Ms. S. Mubvakure "Sarudzai Mubvakure" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Taking It to the Streets: Using the Arts to Transform Your Community (Paperback)

An amazing tool for the christian artist who beleives that art is a powerful medium to preach the gospel. Definitely for the marketplace christian who believes that the church is without walls. Excellent reference book !!

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Book for Urban Evangelism, August 30, 2010

By 

Rex Book Seller (Ohio, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taking It to the Streets: Using the Arts to Transform Your Community (Paperback)

The urban theme of this book hits home to one who has not had much exposure to the inner city. Missionary evangelism in inner cities is confronted by unique problems. The authors have done their research. This is a must read for anyone (or any group) looking to go on mission to the streets.

My only problems with the books is (1) the author's assumptions about churches that are "white." They have misconceptions about why suburban people are very cautious when coming into the 'tough areas' of town. It can be very dangerous to be in the wrong area at the wrong time. (2) They needed to give a more thorough explanation of "Liberation Theology" and its Marxist roots.

Still, I got a lot out of this book and learned a lot of new things that can be applied to my own ministry.