How to be a regenerate

Okay, so after my misguided attempt to splice and dice the definition of regenerate, it’s time to head in the opposite direction and embrace its expansiveness.

So, how can one be a regenerate?

As an artist, the most obvious way is to create regenerate art.  What is regenerate art?  Hard to define, but I think of it typically as art that is redemptive.  Art that reveals truth.  Since Christ is the way, the TRUTH, and the life, I think that ultimately anything that communicates truth ultimately points people toward Him and is therefore regenerate.  L’Engle would describe it as art that leaves people feeling more Named.

Then there’s the simple fact that doing anything with excellence glorifies God, so as an artist it is a regenerate activity to create excellent art.  Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire:  “I believe that God made me for a purpose. For China. But he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel his pleasure. To give it up would be to hold him in contempt.” Eric glorified God by using the gift he’d been given to run in the Olympics.  (And, less well known, he ultimately fulfilled his stated purpose on the mission field in China, ultimately dying there.)

I believe part of my life’s mission is to help others grow into the fullness of who God created them to be.  Why?  Because I believe that is one way people bring glory to God.  Author and missionary Elisabeth Elliot wrote, “A jellyfish glorifies its Creator simply by being a jellyfish.  For by being a jellyfish, it fulfills its Creator’s command.”  I translate that into human terms to mean that we fulfill our Creator’s command by becoming who our Creator created us to be.  If he created you to be an artist, embrace it.  I believe by doing so, one is being regenerate. (I also succinctly translate that Elliot quote to say “be a jellyfish!” which drives the Mrs. crazy since I seem to be endorsing spinelessness, but anyway….).

I also think an artist can be regenerate by way of their interactions with other artists.  I personally have found performing in a show to be an incredible bonding experience (perhaps matched only by the bonding that occurs on a missions trip).  An artist can be a regenerate by speaking words of life and love and truth into the lives of those around them.  In their case, it’s fellow artists.

Okay, so how can you be a regenerate if you’re not an artist?  Quite simply by supporting regenerate art and regenerate artists.

On the macro scale, that means attending regenerate movies on opening weekend (the only time it really matters) and taking other steps to see regenerate art succeeds (that’s what my blog tag for “Cultural Activism” is all about — hopefully lots more to come on this in the future).

On the micro level, that means getting to know the artists in your local community and in your church and supporting them.  This can be financially (”starving artists” isn’t a stereotype for nothing) as well as through spiritual and emotional (they’ve got emotions in abundance) support.  Decorate your house with the work of local artists.  Attend their theatrical productions, poetry readings, gallery exhibitions, concerts, dance recitals, book signings, etc, etc, etc.  Pray for them.

Give them opportunities.  Recruit them (without taking advantage of them in a negative way) to help with anything where artistic talent can add value (which is just about anywhere).  Walk the fine line between being encouraging and supportive but not accepting crappy work.  Demand excellence.  They’ll appreciate that.  Just make sure you truly know what excellence looks like.

For far too long, the Church has distanced itself from its artists because it couldn’t understand them.  From any and every perspective, that’s come at too high a cost.  Work to understand them.

regenerate Action: Beyond Boycotts

Okay, so the purpose of this website isn’t just so you can read my pontifications and bask in the depths of my wisdom (trust me, it’s a shallow pool).  One of my goals is to promote what I call “cultural activism” – actions that help foster the creation and success of regenerate art. Constructively.

How so?  Well for starters, I’m not going to be promoting any boycotts or such – it’s not about what we’re against, but what we’re for.  Case in point: rather than condemning “degenerate” movies, we’ll be supporting regenerate movies.

What’s the best way to help a movie be successful? Attend the movie (bringing as many friends along as possible) on opening weekend.  Granted, there are always exceptions, but box office results from opening weekend typically will make or break a movie, so attendance that weekend (preferably Friday or Saturday, not Sunday) is crucial.  I wrote more about this a couple years back in a column you can find here, and if you want to go even deeper you should read this book.

But it’s not just about supporting regenerate art, but creating it as well.  One example of where artistic skills can be put to good use? The 48 Hour Film Project, which challenges teams to a competition where they have to write, shoot, edit, and score a film in just 48 hours. Some folks from our church just signed up (they’re on the waitlist) for the DC project which is coming up on May 1st.  These projects take place throughout the year at different cities across the country (and the world) and are an incredible opportunity for regenerate artists to combine artistic excellence with a redemptive (but not cheesy!) message.  At a frantic pace.

Projects such as these provide tremendous opportunities to not only give voice to a redemptive message, but to demonstrate that Christians value excellence when it comes to art.  (I’d talk about how people could have gotten a different idea, but like I said, this website is about what we’re for).