Back in early November, Ryan came home from one of the weekly Allen Staff meetings and we went through the usual debriefing of his day and some of the things that happened in their meeting. Ryan casually mentioned that there had been discussion concerning a need for a Creative Arts Director/Pastor or Visual Arts Director/Pastor (they weren’t quite sure what to call it). As he was telling me about it I had one of those moments where you know that God is about to do something cool. I knew this was it. The dream job I had been waiting for. The undefinable job that would fit the eclectic talent, experience, and calling that God placed within in me. The job that would utilize, grow, and even stretch the education and experience that I had received at Southeastern Oklahoma State University as well as the much scoffed at degree I chose (BA in Musical Theater). That day I began to pray that God would allow me to have the job, and that He would remove the obstacles that might hinder me from serving at Allen in this new capacity (Obstacle 1. I am the wife of the youth pastor, Obstacle 2. We would have to put Ryland in some sort of child care situation.). About a week later Ryan and I sat down talked about it and of course he whole heartedly supported me in pursuing the position (he’s pretty much the best husband ever). From there I contacted our senior pastor, Bill Warren, and requested that when and if the position was officially created that I be allowed to submit my resume’ for consideration. He told me to “go ahead and send it.” And the process began… there was a lot of waiting, multiple interviews/meetings and then it all culminated in the nerve racking voting process that all ministers go through. I officially became the Creative Arts Pastor @ Allen Memorial Baptist Church on January 1st, 2008. Since then Ryland has been blessed with some amazing people who care for him on Tuesdays during staff meetings (Sarah Rushing one of the college ministers at S.U.) and on Sundays before the church childcare starts (Danny and Patty Morris).
My job description, as with most ministry positions, is very broad. Here are a few things I am responsible for: drama team, announcement team, lighting designs, lighting team, video team, media projection team, directing all services, planning services with our senior pastor and worship pastor, creating design concepts for sermons and sermon series (logos, stage props, & promotional materials), our website, locating or creating videos (to use as illustrations, worship enhancement, promotion etc..), and creating power point for sermons that are congruent with the design concept.
My positions is a 25 hour a week part time positions (although I am averaging 39 hours per week). I do most of my work from home (Thank you Jesus for laptops and WiFi). My three big workdays are Tuesday, which is staff meeting, Thursday, which is the day we rehearse our services, and of course Sunday when it all goes down.
I am so thankful for God’s provision. He has proven Himself faithful once again. There is nothing like being able to do what you were created to. It makes all the usual job issues worth dealing with and working out. I still have a lot to learn about being a Creative Arts Pastor, but I am continually astounded at the ways God provides the knowledge, skills, resources, and people I need to do my job. I am also amazed by the way He is using my past experiences in this job. There are so many random things I did as an actress, singer, student, employee, ministry volunteer, etc… that I thought had no purpose, but now they are paying huge dividends. My Abba is Awesome!!! Every detail of His plan is perfect, and I am humbled that I get to be a part of it.
I believe that God uses art, music, theatre, media, lighting, and websites to draw people unto Himself and ultimately Glorify His name. That is why I am passionate about adding those elements to our church. I love being the Creative Arts Pastor @ Allen Memorial Baptist Church.
My Tech Guys Doin’ Their Thing
The band and a sampling of my stage props (The Truth About Sex Series)
Bill Preaching and a sample of one of my sermon logos.
