Thriving As an Artist in the Church: Intro

Welcome to the beginning of our weekly discussions of Rory Nolands book, "Thriving As an Artist in the Church." This is the follow up to his first book, "The Heart of the Artist." He has most recently released a third in the same vein, "The Worshiping Artist."
Read along, respond with your own comments, reactions and insights... But most importantly, read the book! If you're a member of the GCC Worship Ministry, contact my assistant, Debi Kelsay to get your copy. Anyone is welcome to participate in this online blog discussion; copies of the book can be found at a very reasonable price on sites such as Amazon.
Let's start with the introduction... the basis premise of the book...
Two common viewpoints exist when it comes to artists in the church:
1. Why would you want to "waste your time" by doing church music?
2. The typical artiste way of doing things doesn't exactly go over too well in church.
But Noland's premise is that artists need the Church. I, and you my fellow artist, need the church for spiritual growth, accountability, fellowship and (perhaps most difficult to be really honest about) for serving opportunities.
I think it's one thing to say that "I/We serve in the worship ministry." You know, indeed we are technically serving. But to go beyond just the minimum requirements afforded to us by lip service, the church isn't the inistitution. The Church is the people who make up the Church. So, am I actually serving the Church? Am I serving the people of the Church?
For some artists in the Church spiritual growth, accountability and fellowship may be far greater areas of concern. But from my experience personally and as a pastor, it's this area of true service. As Noland points out, Christ modeled for us service to the Church; the degree of His love was evident in His sacrifice for her. Like much in life, this hits at the heart-level.