God gave artists and designers to Moses. Moses valued the artist’s wisdom and ability to carry out vision. As leaders in a ministry or the marketplace, we should know that artists can help us to carry out the vision God planted in our hearts. Here are a few things creative arts can do for your vision:

·      Art can help people grasp vision visually.

·      Art uses the senses to make your vision memorable and recognizable.

·      Art conveys who you are, what you do, and why you do it.

·      Art is a first impression, and it can attract interest with an excellent presentation.

·      The arts can cause people to feel, or experience, the motivation of a vision.

·      Art can cause people to recognize a need and what to help meet it.

·      Art can be used to help produce items that will finance your business.

Artists have a gift from God to make a product, but in addition, He gives wisdom on how to use that product to accomplish a purpose. Look at what God said to Moses about artisans:

I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you. Exodus 31:6

Artists also have an anointing that inspires artists to serve in their gifting. In the same way that God inspires and anoints a preacher to preach, and He inspires and anoints an artist to create. The Holy Spirit has the ability to impart grace to an artist to help him or her to fulfill their purpose and to produce the work that will serve kingdom purpose.

Art is highly effective when used in music, production, building design, interior design, signage, paintings, photographs, social media, printed materials, website design and more. There is a saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Leader, just think of what you can say with the help of an artisan!

As with any position in the kingdom of God, what we value is what we receive value from. The Bible says if we welcome a prophet, we will receive a prophet’s reward, or receive from that gift (Matthew 10:41). When we value art and design in our churches, ministries, and businesses, we will receive the benefit that gift can bring.

Appreciation is part of honoring a person, their unique gift, their special anointing, and their one-of-a-kind purpose in our endeavors. What does the Bible say about the different gifts God gives to His church and to our lives:

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them." Romans 12:6

I Corinthians 12:15-19

"15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?"

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. I Peter 4:10

Perhaps you don’t have an artistic gift. Not everyone shares the same gifts, but together we make up the body of Christ. God has been very clear in His Word that we are to honor the differences in a spirit of unity.

Not everyone values the artistic gift. There are a various reasons why someone would not value the gift of the artist.

·      Perhaps the person is wired differently, and is narrow-minded, only valuing what is similar to their own gifting and interest.

·      Some value only what is functional, not understanding the purpose of creative communication or the power of artistic expression.

·      Some resist the purpose in art that causes emotion. Some men and women have been conditioned to believe that feelings are for weak people. Some have been hurt or damaged and resist emotion. Others do not value the importance of the soul or the moving of the spirit, so part of art’s purpose is disregarded.

As an artist myself, I have experienced people who did not value artistic contribution to the church. I have also worked for businesses that didn’t value the importance of having an online presence. What we value is where we invest our time, our strength, and our resources.  Some can only think from their own perspective, not understanding the importance of lights and cameras or dramas and songs. At other times, one or two have felt necessary to confront me, criticizing me for the communication on social media or for spending too much time on promotion. Some have criticized our team for doing too much to prepare for a party, to decorate the stage, or to promote a missionary. I have prayed for those people, knowing they don’t understand God’s gift. I pray for mercy, but there has been occasion where God has removed a negative person to get them out of the way because they refused to honor what God was doing among us. How would you feel if someone came against your plan and purpose to win the world for Christ? Despising the artistic gift of communication and expression is a serious offense. Like Jesus said to Paul on the road to Damascus, “Why are you kicking against the goads?” Why would any of us try to hinder the spread of the Gospel? Why would anyone try to silence a voice from the Creator? God is merciful, but He also will accomplish His purpose, whether we decide to move together with Him or work against Him. I want to work with Him!

Other Bible examples include Solomon calling for designers for the temple, and King David who wrote songs and danced before the Lord. Jeremiah went to a potter before giving a prophetic word to Israel, illustrating a spiritual message so people could better understand the truth God wanted to convey. Lydia made and sold expensive fabric to sell to finance the kingdom. The Proverbs 31 woman, made and sold goods to provide for her family. Jesus was known to many as a skilled carpenter. God Himself is the ultimate Creator, putting expression, splendor and value into His design.

How can you value and utilize a creative gift?

• Search for them inside and/or outside of your church/business.
• Share the vision and ask for their insight
• Give perimeters, but allow creative expression
• Ask for a few ideas from which to choose
• Compensate their work
• Give credit to their work
• If not an employee, respect their intellectual property and use the product only as specified in the contract.
• If not an employee, share referrals. 
• Verbalize your gratitude.

I encourage you to value the artists that are given to you by the Lord. Tap into their gifting and allow them expression. Doing so will help your vision come to pass!