In the Global Church Advancement's church planting manual, Phil Mershon gives 10 reasons why every pastor should befriend artists. I find these to be pretty accurate...and also pretty funny. Phil is the Director of Worship and the Arts at Trinity PCA near Chicago. Pass these on to your pastor:

1. God is the Chief Artist and we are made in His image

Since creativity is part of the imago dei, artists play an important role in awakening our hearts and promoting the restoration of the image of God.

2. Artists read scripture more as it was written: artistically.

Nearly 2/3 of scripture comes in some art form (poetry, song, parable, proverb, narrative, etc....). Since artists naturally look at life through these lenses, they can complement more academic approaches to scripture.

3. Artists understand the soul.

Artists can help us understand what's really going on in our souls by helping us put different kinds of language and expression to our emotions and heart longings.

4. Artists have a different set of Dutch friends.

They prefer Rembrandt over Ridderbos, and Van Gogh over Vos. (note: this artist likes them both equally)

5. Artists live messy, but open lives.

Artists have tasted deeply of depravity and glory, which in part explains their manic-depressive tendencies. The nice thing is that while they are moody, you usually can tell where they are.

6. Artists can (and will) say things a pastor should never say.

It's been shown around the world that artists are allowed to say things in their art form that a preacher, teacher or politician could never say in a sermon, lecture or speech.

7. Artists see life differently (could be hallucination).

Artists can teach us to see with our ears, feel with our minds, and hear with our hearts, and know with our eyes. Artists live a multi-sensory life.

8. Artists tell you whay they think.

Artists are authentic and will not pretend, nor will they let you get away with being anything less than real.

9. Artists are hip.

Since art reflects culture, artists can help us get a handle on the culture around us and inside the church.

10. Artists draw crowds.

Let's face it, while they're eccentric, hard to understand, and often unreliable, people like artists and admire them. Artists draw people.