The Role of the Professional Christian Artist Inside and Outside of the Church

What does a professional artist have to offer to Christ? What does the Church have to offer the Christian professional artist? Painter, sculptor, musician, architect, writer, actor, dancer - what should they be doing to live out their faith and do everything "to the Glory of God?"  Is their work relegated to utilitarian functions within the Church, or is there more they can and should be doing both inside and outside of the church to serve others and point them to Christ?    

As a professional Classical musician Delta David Gier has striven to live out his faith through his art at the highest possible level for the past 30 years. Like so many Christian artists, he has found too few opportunities within the Church to do the work God has called him to do. The time has come for that to change. Our culture needs artistic engagement and real expressions that go beyond the words we speak. We must not only think of winning the minds of people, but their hearts as well; in reality, looking at the ministry of Jesus, perhaps we should start with the heart.