In the episode, Michael goes solo to discuss why Christians should develop better taste. Then he goes on to discuss some practical ways that can be achieved. This episode was inspired by an insightful comment from Lisa Hood on episode 49 (“Do Poor People Make Poor Patrons?”). Stay tuned at the end for “Infinite Rail,” the first single off of Make Sure’s recently released June, available through Tooth & Nail Records and used with permission.
You might also be interested in reading “We Sin Because We Have Bad Taste,” which explores the connection between moral judgment and material discernment.
Michael is looking forward and looking back with Renew the Arts’ former president and current chairman of the board Justus Stout and current president Katy Martin to talk about Justus’ ten-year tenure as president and the challenges and opportunities awaiting Katy in the next season of renewing the arts and liberating Christian creativity. Arts organizations seem to be in a crisis of support. How will Renew the Arts fare differently?
Stay tuned at the end of the episode to hear a previously unreleased track from Physick, “The Ballad of the Steady Man,” which celebrates the consistent faithfulness of those who “move mountains one quiet shovel at a time.”
Worship director and organist Ryanne Molinari joins Michael to discuss her forthcoming book on the relationship between the worship arts (particularly congregational singing) and the fruit of the Spirit. Ryanne discusses how the fruit of the Spirit operates as both the goal and the criteria for “effective” worship. Stay tuned at the end of the episode to hear “Joyful Noise” by Mary Vanhoozer, from her album Jubilate.
You can follow Ryanne Molinari on instagram or on Twitter at this handle: @Ryanne_JM.
Michael invites singer-songwriter Carly Taich and producer Jimmy Smith on to the podcast to discuss what it looks like for Christians to pursue art (in this case, music) within the church as a ministry, a hobby, or a profession. They share personal anecdotes about their various struggles in the professional-ministry space in the church, discuss tent-making and other means of support for artists, and give a clear charge to both artists and non-artists about how to move forward in a market-dominated field.
Stay tuned at the end of the episode to hear a rough-mix sneak peak of Carly Taich’s new single, “Prove Me Wrong,” produced by Jimmy Smith and Michael Minkoff. It’s the first single off Carly’s forthcoming record Insomnie, which she is raising money to make.
Abbey and Michael get together to discuss how deconstruction within the church is both fed and addressed by the arts. What exactly do we mean by deconstruction? Why is it so prevalent right now? What does it have to do with the arts?
Stay tuned at the end to hear “Oh, Sweetest Name” by John Van Deusen from his record, (I Am) Origami Pt. 4 — Marathon Daze.