The Heart of the Artist (Paperback)

by Rory Noland (Author) "Sean and Abigail were both excited and nervous at the same time..." (more)
Key Phrases: regular quiet time, drama ministry, Willow Creek, Pastor Blair, Holy Spirit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
“I wish I had your gift!”

How do you handle those words as a creative artist? When you’re good at what you do, is it really humble to hem and haw in the face of praise?

Between pride and self-abasement lies true humility—just one aspect of the balanced character God wants to instill in you as an actor, a musician, a visual artist, or other creative person involved in ministry. He’s interested in your art and your heart.

The Heart of the Artist is like no other book you’ve read. Written for artists by an artist, this frank, knowledgeable book deals head-on with issues every person in an arts ministry faces. With passion and conviction that come from personal experience, Rory Noland, music director for Willow Creek Community Church, addresses topics such as ? Servanthood Versus Stardom ? The Artist in Community ? Excellence Versus Perfectionism ? Jealousy and Envy ? Managing Your Emotions ? The Spiritual Disciplines of the Artist

The Heart of the Artist will help you gain a better understanding of yourself and your unique place in the body of Christ. You’ll find wisdom and encouragement that can help you survive the challenges and reap the rich joys of a ministry in the creative arts -- Publisher

Product Description
This book explores issues of character facing Christian artists who want to use their gifts more effectively in church ministry.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310224713
• ISBN-13: 978-0310224716
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,064 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing else like it., December 7, 1999

By	Dan Palmer (Reno, NV) - See all my reviews

"The Heart of the Artist" is an indispensable guide to understanding artists and the struggles they face in Christian music ministry. It is not only suitable for artists themselves, but for anyone trying to figure out those "artsy types".

This book contains valuable insights into many areas that I have not found addressed by any other source. Chapter titles include: Servanthood versus Stardom; Excellence versus Perfectionism; Handling Criticism; Jealousy and Envy; Managing Your Emotions; Leading Artists; The Artist and Sin; and The Spiritual Disciplines of the Artist.

Issues are dealt with from a biblical viewpoint by the author, who leads a huge team of artists and technical people at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL, a suburb of Chicago.

The most encouraging thing to me that came out of the book is that as artists, we serve a creative God, and we should be creative. Because Bible-believing Christians have things to say that have eternal significance, we should be neither ashamed nor stifled in our expression. Yes, artists are created differently, as evidenced by our sensitivity, our temperaments, and our personalities, but we must not allow those things to be an excuse for bad behavior and bad character. God knows we're different, and He made us that way on purpose. Winning people to Christ is the only thing we can do that has eternal significance, and He has given artists a way to communicate His truth to people in a way that speaks to the hearts of people like nothing else does. God deserves our best, most creative, and most powerful work.

"The Heart of the Artist" can be read individually, or used as a small group study guide since it comes complete with group discussion questions, follow-up questions, and personal action steps.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good guide for Christian artists, September 24, 2000

By	Jeffery K. Matheus (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"The Heart of the Artist" is written in an easy-to-digest style by long-time music ministry leader Rory Noland. It is a nice guide for artists, musicians, poets, actors, dancers, etc., who want to use their talents in a Church or "ministry" setting. There are some helpfull chapters in this book that deal realistically with the sort of problems that Christians in the arts (or anyone in the arts) will have to deal with, such as "excellence verses perfectionism" and "handling critisism". However, Noland deals ONLY with the role of Christian artists within the somewhat "safe" church environment. What about the role of Christian artists OUTSIDE of the local church body? What is the proper role of the Christian artist in a secular, or even a hostile setting? Should a Christian artist create ONLY works of the "sacred", or should they be afforded the same artistic freedom as their secular peers? These are really the types of issues that I would have liked to see Noland deal with, and with the same level-headed approach that he tackles Church-related issues. Perhaps he should write a follow-up book that deals with these concerns. However, if you are a Christian with an interest in the arts, or in the responsibilities and problems of public ministry, then this book is well worth a read.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Character building for everyone!, August 26, 2001

By	Ginny Allen "revginny" (Baton Rouge, LA United States) - See all my reviews

Rory Noland display keen observation and broad experience in human relations. Inter-personal conflict is not limited to artistic types, although his examples are drawn directly from that venue. For that reason, the book is a MUST for anyone in creative work. Not theological jargon and religious hype, but a book of straight-forward, practical life applications. The situations make you say "Ouch!" as you recognize your own responses and shudder to think you aren't as perfect as you'd like to think. Rory describes the selfishness problem of all humanity and specifically prescribes the affective treatment with Biblical reinforcement. Solid stuff! I am a clergy-person who found that this book targeted areas in life where character-building and personal growth needed to take place. I am better for having applied these principles. I marvel at the insight of Mr. Noland and am grateful for this concise approach to becoming a better person and shaping a better world one-person-at-a-time. A MUST-READ for church staff, creative types, growing Christians, human beings...