Balladeers | Christian Creativity Changing the World

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A Call for Balladeers

Pursuing Art and Beauty for the Discipling of Nations

The art we consume changes the way we think, so where are the artists who speak Godly truth through their art, the balladeers that disciple the nations through their respective mediums?

We need a new generation of balladeers. Culture is upstream from economics, politics and society. Who shapes culture more than anyone else? It is the artists, those who consciously create or critique culture with their art. These people may be called modern-day balladeers. They are singers and songwriters, playwrights and filmmakers, writers and poets, painters and sculptors, choreographers and composers, architects and fashion designers. From these gifted artists we must call forth a movement of modern-day balladeers.

Christian artists! It’s time to understand and embrace the significance of your gift and calling.

Darrow Miller examines what it means to be a Christian creative making art from a biblical worldview. Christian creativity is more than a hobby, it serves a vital role of truth and beauty in the world. As the First Artist, God created the universe to be beautiful, and set a precedent for all humanity to create art, not for religious obligation, but simply for the sake of beauty itself.

With scrutiny and honesty, A Call for Balladeers takes a hard look at the faulty perspective toward art and beauty held by many Christians today and uses the Bible to make a case for why the Church should be concerned with a ministry of art. Christian painting, Christian dancing, Christian drama, Christian digital art, whatever medium God has given you the talent to use, it all serves the glory of the king.

Miller provides a hopeful, liberating outlook for Christian artists of all kinds who find themselves caught in a dilemma between their creative endeavors and their desire to minister to their community. There is no divide between art, beauty, and the Christian faith. God uses the arts and artists to advance His kingdom of truth, goodness, and beauty on earth as it is in heaven. A Call for Balladeers will help Christians think biblically about art, teach them about historical and modern-day balladeers, and encourage artists to use their God-given talents to minister prophetically, bringing transformation to their communities and nations through a ministry of the arts.

Join the Balladeer Christian Creative Community

Online Webinars

Join Darrow Miller for live and interactive webinars.

At our webinar, you will:

Hear examples of how balladeers are making an impact through art
Hear advice for balladeers
Learn about biblical worldview and why its application is so important as an artist
Have a chance to participate in a time of Q&A

Our most recent guest was classical pianist, soloist, chamber musician, educator, producer, and arranger, Jenny Jee-El Park. Additionally, Ms. Park has served her city as the Commissioner of Culture and Fine Arts and worked in various settings to promote arts in the community. She has worked at the Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center as a music curriculum consultant, and started a volunteer-based music program for the homeless children at the Orange County Rescue Mission. Formerly a faculty member of the United Nations International School, Concordia Conservatory, and Bethesda University, she is currently the musical director for Music Across Borders.

Did you miss the webinar with Darrow and Jenny Park? Be sure to check out the recording which is available in our free Christian Creative Community–see the details below to join!

Here are the the videos and transcripts from some of our other recent webinars with Colin Harbinson, Jeremiah and Mona Enna, and Randall Flinn.

Don’t miss this webinar with Darrow and Jenny Park!

Mark your calendar now for Tuesday, August 8 at 9 AM Pacific Time (UTC -7).

RSVP to get reminders with login details for this live and exclusive webinar!

Here is the Zoom link to join live on August 8!

Join the Christian Creative Community and download the app!

How do I get started?

Go to https://community.abundance-books.com/ and select the button for Christian Creative Community Free Access. After setting up your profile, join the Balladeers group! If you have questions about signing up or moving around in the platform, this how-to video can help.

Why should I join?

Meet and learn from other Christian creatives who recognize that ideas have consequences and culture-change is necessary at the level of worldview. Biblical artwork, whether it be Christian painting, dancing, writing, photography, or film, has a part to play in this beautiful work.

What’s it like?

The Balladeers community is a social-media-style platform that allows you to find balladeers “near” you. On this platform, you can connect with incredible Christian artists with similar creative interests to you. The Balladeers community allows private messaging, and there is a public feed where you can post and comment.

Who is Darrow Miller?

Darrow Miller is co-founder of Disciple Nations Alliance and the author of Discipling Nations, LifeWork, Don’t Let Schooling Stand in the Way of Education, and many other books, articles, and Bible studies. For over forty years, he has taught internationally on worldview and development, apologetics, Postmodernism, and the dignity of women.

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As a classically-trained pianist, I struggled all my life to find an all-encompassing definition of the term ‘Christian music.’ This powerful book reclaims the realm of beauty under the Kingdom of God, breaking through the four walls of the visible church into the whole Creation under Christ. Hungrily and joyfully, I read every page. As a musician, I felt validated, whole, and inspired.

While there are many excellent books that have been written on the arts and faith, this one stands out. Its theological depth, fresh insight, personal stories, and profound challenge–all written in an easily accessible style–make for a unique contribution.

The artist has always played an important role in society, but perhaps never more so than today. During periods of shifting identity and hegemony, such as ours, it is vital that those fluent in the language of symbolism and beauty remind us of the eternal truths of our human identity and divine image. In this book, Darrow helps the thinking artist to grasp the meaning and responsibilities of their sacred vocation.

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More Resources

Listen to a recent podcast episode with Darrow as we discuss A Call for Balladeers and share the stories of Christian artists, or check out his other books below!