once again, this last Sunday the Director of VineArts & myself joined the worship team on stage during both morning services at the Boise Vineyard. while the band led the congregation in worship, we painted additional words to the righthand panel of the 3 paneled stage backdrop that coincides with the current sermon series on Paul's prison epistles. this time "unity", "forgiveness", and "faith" were added representing concepts taught from the letters of Philemon and Philippians.
in the past i had difficulties painting when people were watching me. i found it even more difficult if someone wanted to join me in painting something together. but the more active i've been in the arts community within the VineArts ministry at the Boise Vineyard, i have learned to become more comfortable with sharing my creative space with others. this has been a positive & safe experience and has helped me to grow in my creativity and challenged me to strive to see others excell in their creativity in this same way. 
it has been such a positive experience that i feel completely comfortable painting on stage side by side with others in front of thousands of people. it's not about the crowds or the stage...regardless of how many people are there...ultimately it is just me and the paint and the canvas expressing my heart to God through art. but to do this kind of thing within such an encouraging and creative community of believers who choose to express their hearts to God too...it is absolutely amazing! 
i'm glad that i have overcome my apprehension of painting side by side with others. the act of allowing others into our lives (even our creative lives) can be risky...but i believe we were created to be relational people...and therefore, i have the opportunity to become a better artist and a better person by allowing myself to be in community (working, serving, ministering, painting side by side).
i feel very blessed that i am a part of a church that embraces the arts and expresses their importance in meaningful ways of worship, service, ministry, and outreach. if you're interested to know more about VineArts and what we do (from art workshops, art gallery exhibits, open studio hours, mural & graphic design projects, community art walks, video production, art & worship events, art outreach events, to a writers group and an art home group) you can check out our webpage at: www.vineyardboise.org (click on the ministries dropdown menu, then click on VineArts). once at our page you can click on & watch short videos we made that talk about the various areas of our arts ministry.
photos taken by R.H.
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