Editorial

Steve Cole

This issue is on Church. This is a huge issue for many of you and will no doubt create a mixed set of emotions. I recognise that you may have felt disappointed, hurt or disillusioned by the Church all of which might even mean that you have not gone near one for a while.

On the flip side you may feel that Church for you is a huge part of your life and a very positive experience. I know others who feel rejected by churches who have not provided support or even interest when they hardly attend due to touring or a three month film shoot. Whatever your situation, my hope is that this issue reminds us of the basics and sparks our imagination to understand again our potential role as part of ‘The Church’.

Before we delve into the publication we need to acknowledge two things, firstly that Jesus Christ is the head of the body, the Church – Colossians 1:8. If your spirituality is tuned around the expression and integrity of your church leadership team and staff, you will always be disappointed. They are all human like you and me, and trying also to follow Christ in a tough world. One role of the Church is to lead our focus to Jesus. He is the head, centrepiece and hope; he is the source of life, forgiveness, mercy, grace, love, power. In other words don’t let any disappointment with the Church effect your personal pursuit and love of Christ. We are all fallen and in desperate need of grace whether you are the Pope or a film editor for the BBC.

Secondly, I draw your attention to 1 Corinthians 12:27 which says: “Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.” We are all part of the body of Christ. The bible does not say that in this place there is one body and in that place another one. Neither does it say that this denomination is one body and the next another one. What it does say is that "you are the body of Christ" – the Church. To this "you", we belong. As far as the bible is concerned, there is no distinction due to denomination, colour, social status, whether you speak in tongues or because of any other reason. Galatians 3:28 says: “You are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Al Gore’s film An Inconvenient Truth looks at the serious environmental issues facing our world. As part of the presentation he shows various photos of the earth including a photo taken from hundreds of thousands of miles away from the Hubble telescope. It shows the earth as a tiny pixel of light on a huge canvas of space. Take a step back and think of the church in this context. A body of billions, known by the creator, made by the creator, loved passionately by the creator and united with Jesus as the head.

There is so much in the New Testament about being ‘one’. John 17:20 says: “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” Here we are on this incredible pixel of light all travelling together around the sun. A people who have a short time on this extraordinary rotating planet before their eternal destiny. So let’s use our time well, and not waste time and oxygen criticising this body, the Church. Division and fragmentation, splits and competitive power games, brand building and pride distract us from our focus and call. We are the body of Christ on this earth for this moment right now. The Church is the agency God uses in his grace to bring hope, mercy, love and transformation to every part of our communities and our nation. We are all part of this vision of building his kingdom.

As people involved in Media and Arts, and also involved in Church, let us all be agents and ambassadors of this vision of transformation. I long to see thousands of people fusing a passion for our industries and workplaces together with a vision and desire to see the Church engaging, transforming and shaping life and culture through the gifts God has given us.

You were made for community. To truly fly as an individual you need to have a corporate dynamic to your life. You need to play a role within the body whether a group of five or five hundred. We need to support one another in this journey of life in Christ and capture again the potential of what can happen when the Church operates to its full capacity with us all playing a part.

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the role of St Mary’s Church, London (www.stmaryslondon.com) in the development of Artisan. I personally want to thank John and Jenny Peters, and the other leaders, for having belief in the vision and assisting us with resources and infrastructure. As a small charity it has been so important to have the covering and accountability of this church.

I would also like to introduce to you my new right hand person Jess Bee who is the new editor of the publication and who will be assisting me in running Artisan. Thanks to superstar Jess Howells who edited the publication previously.

Love to you all

Steve Cole