In the early 1990's Andrew Seivright wrote an article for Last Days Magazine entitled, What is the Church Doing With the Powerful Gift of the Arts? As you can see from the excerpt below, that article played a crucial role in helping to form the vision and mission of The Master's Academy of Fine Arts . TRAINING IN THE TEMPLE - In the Old Testament, the leaders of Israel understood the spiritual power of music and worship. They stewarded their musicians by bringing them to live at the temple. As they lived and learned with other music ministers, they were challenged and trained in spiritual and technical excellence by Asaph and Heman. The religious leaders of that day provided structure to help these Levites reach their potential and use their gifts powerfully for God. In Jerusalem alone, 4,000 musicians and 288 singers lived and trained in the temple (1 Chronicles 23:5, 25:7-8) That means by today’s world-wide church population comparison, 694,000 Christian musicians were being embraced, supported, and trained by the church for the purpose of declaring God’s glory. There is no evidence that this system of “stewarding the artists” ever ceased in Israel when there was a King in power who loved the Lord. STEWARDING OUR ARTISTS - Somehow the Church lost sight of this biblical responsibility and in turn lost millions who could have been changed by great art originating from the Church. It is incumbent upon the Church to reach out to artists who’s work has clear ministry potential. The artist needs to be nurtured, encouraged, and helped with tangible support. Of course the Church is not called to take total financial responsibility but we could help them receive the same kind of technical and spiritual training we would quickly give to an emerging evangelist or Bible teacher. This “stewarding” should not be limited to musicians but given to those gifted in all areas of art. At present we have naively left our artists to “fend for themselves”. We’ve left them without the spiritual structures that provide needed training and accountability. Why isn’t the Church raising up Christians who will lead the world of art? Aren’t you tired of hearing about artists who felt there was no place in the Church for their gifts so they went elsewhere and in the process became spiritually shipwrecked? Where are today’s Christian “heroes of the arts”, those respected by the world (not just the church) for their creativity and innovation? Why do we usually see secular idols filling this void? Why have we abdicated this extremely crucial role? Perhaps it’s because Satan knows the power of art and its ability to reveal spiritual truths that radically impact people. He has been working overtime to keep the Church in the dark about stewarding her artists. For hundreds of years before the Reformation, Satan successfully kept the central doctrine of “Spiritual Rebirth” (being Born Again) from most of those who believed in God. It took someone like Martin Luther to take radical, controversial steps before that vital principle was reclaimed for God’s people. He also endured radical persecution. I believe it will take the same radical action for the Church to reclaim the business of stewarding its artists to reflect God in excellence, power, and beauty. Today a war is raging for the heart and soul of a sight and sound generation, yet only one percent of films (that reach billions) are made by Christian filmmakers. Where is the Church? Someone recently said, “If you want to know where America is headed, don’t look to those who govern us-look to those who mold us through control of contemporary culture. It is on this cultural battle field that the struggle for America’s soul is taking place.” OUR VISION- To raise a tribe of 694,000 “Levitical priests”, who through skillful use of their artistic gifts, will reclaim the cultures ofthe world for God’s purposes.
OUR MISSION RECLAIM | | To RECLAIM creativity through Biblical discipleship in the arts |
We believe that creativity is the core of all education, not an add on if there is extra time or money left over. It is the first thing we learn about God and it is the basis of everything we do.We believe that education must be based on a biblical worldview in order to have an impact on the culture.
RESTORE | | To RESTORE the lost skills and knowledge of the arts |
Education is best understood in its historical context, therefore, all of our programming is historically based.Instruction moves from an exposure level through an advanced level.The history, skills, and foundations of artistic principles are taught through a creative approach to learning
RELEASE
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To RELEASE people of all artistic skill levels into the cultures of the world. |
The purpose of all of this training is so that a generation of people who have been set free, and who have had their foundations restored, can be released to do the work which God has called them to do in their generation through the use of the arts.
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