We are incredibly fortunate to have some remarkable dancers at Mosaic. We have men and women who are now performing in shows like “Wicked” in San Francisco, “Hair” on Broadway, “Kooza” with Cirque de Soleil, and we have two dancers (Kathryn McCormick & Phillip Atmore) in the top 20 of this season of So You Think You Can Dance? (Watch Phillip’s audition here. As an important aside, please pray for Phillip and his family as his father’s funeral is today). Some of our artisans have been traveling around Europe serving our Mosaic Alliance churches.
In conversations with other leaders, people dismiss the possibility of creating a dance team (or any type of artisans ministry). They feel like we have an edge by being in Los Angeles, a place that attracts the world’s most talented dancers, actors, filmmakers, painters, musicians, etc..
Before giving up on mobilizing artisans within your context, here are a few thoughts to consider:
1. There are many churches in Los Angeles that have not mobilized artisans.
2. Many (if not most) of the artisans in Los Angeles grew up somewhere else (perhaps near you).
3. Erwin has pointed out that churches in the middle of nowhere somehow found organists. I imagine there are way fewer organists than artisans across the U.S..
4. Our first dancers were not professionals. One was a physical therapist and the other a nurse. They were two women with a passion for dance and a desire to use their talents in one of our gatherings.
5. Once others saw them dance, they either asked to be involved if they also had these talents or they began to invite other dancers to our church. Some of our best dancers came to Mosaic before they connected to Jesus.
6. Most churches highlight the speaker and those who can sing while the rest of us watch those who speak and sing. We’ve tried to create other opportunities for people to contribute – speakers, singers, dancers, actors, artists, greeters, baristas, chefs, set builders, and so on.
7. Some of the best ideas were not initiated by our paid staff but by those who serve as our volunteer staff. We’ve tried to create an environment for our community to experiement and live out their passions and talents.
What innovations have yet to be discovered because they are being overlooked?
Any new innovations you have implemented in your community?