In Rework, Jason Fried writes that what makes a great museum is not just what is on the walls; it is what is not on the walls. What someone said no to. This is the role of a curator.
The curator makes conscious decisions regarding what to collect, research and display and what not to. If you take all of the possible art in the world and put it into a room it’s not a museum, it’s a warehouse. It is the curator’s job to take an entire universe of options and decide whether or not something makes it into a museum.
I think one of the primary roles of a pastor is that of a curator. To identify spiritual gifts, talents and abilities lying dormant in the pews and bring them to life. To inspire artists and writers and entrepreneurs to contribute their gifts not just for a profit, and not just to make a point during the sermon, but for the common good of the community.
Just this week at Gateway I’ve come across an improv actor, a drummer, a videographer and an insurance agent all willing to contribute their expertise to building the kingdom.
Trinity Grace Church in New York City recently did a series ‘Calling All Artists’ within their community to submit their craft. I am not sure if what follows is anything they had in mind, but it absolutely blew me away.
There is so much potential sitting within our congregations to communicate God’s truth, grace and love. It is the pastor’s job to find it.
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