Rating: 
Summary: Nothing else like it.
Review: "The Heart of the Artist" is an indispensable guide to understanding artists and the struggles they face in Christian music ministry. It is not only suitable for artists themselves, but for anyone trying to figure out those "artsy types". This book contains valuable insights into many areas that I have not found addressed by any other source. Chapter titles include: Servanthood versus Stardom; Excellence versus Perfectionism; Handling Criticism; Jealousy and Envy; Managing Your Emotions; Leading Artists; The Artist and Sin; and The Spiritual Disciplines of the Artist. Issues are dealt with from a biblical viewpoint by the author, who leads a huge team of artists and technical people at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL, a suburb of Chicago. The most encouraging thing to me that came out of the book is that as artists, we serve a creative God, and we should be creative. Because Bible-believing Christians have things to say that have eternal significance, we should be neither ashamed nor stifled in our expression. Yes, artists are created differently, as evidenced by our sensitivity, our temperaments, and our personalities, but we must not allow those things to be an excuse for bad behavior and bad character. God knows we're different, and He made us that way on purpose. Winning people to Christ is the only thing we can do that has eternal significance, and He has given artists a way to communicate His truth to people in a way that speaks to the hearts of people like nothing else does. God deserves our best, most creative, and most powerful work. "The Heart of the Artist" can be read individually, or used as a small group study guide since it comes complete with group discussion questions, follow-up questions, and personal action steps.
Rating: 
Summary: A good guide for Christian artists
Review: "The Heart of the Artist" is written in an easy-to-digest style by long-time music ministry leader Rory Noland. It is a nice guide for artists, musicians, poets, actors, dancers, etc., who want to use their talents in a Church or "ministry" setting. There are some helpfull chapters in this book that deal realistically with the sort of problems that Christians in the arts (or anyone in the arts) will have to deal with, such as "excellence verses perfectionism" and "handling critisism". However, Noland deals ONLY with the role of Christian artists within the somewhat "safe" church environment. What about the role of Christian artists OUTSIDE of the local church body? What is the proper role of the Christian artist in a secular, or even a hostile setting? Should a Christian artist create ONLY works of the "sacred", or should they be afforded the same artistic freedom as their secular peers? These are really the types of issues that I would have liked to see Noland deal with, and with the same level-headed approach that he tackles Church-related issues. Perhaps he should write a follow-up book that deals with these concerns. However, if you are a Christian with an interest in the arts, or in the responsibilities and problems of public ministry, then this book is well worth a read.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing else like it.
Review: "The Heart of the Artist" is an indispensable guide to understanding artists and the struggles they face in Christian music ministry. It is not only suitable for artists themselves, but for anyone trying to figure out those "artsy types". This book contains valuable insights into many areas that I have not found addressed by any other source. Chapter titles include: Servanthood versus Stardom; Excellence versus Perfectionism; Handling Criticism; Jealousy and Envy; Managing Your Emotions; Leading Artists; The Artist and Sin; and The Spiritual Disciplines of the Artist. Issues are dealt with from a biblical viewpoint by the author, who leads a huge team of artists and technical people at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL, a suburb of Chicago. The most encouraging thing to me that came out of the book is that as artists, we serve a creative God, and we should be creative. Because Bible-believing Christians have things to say that have eternal significance, we should be neither ashamed nor stifled in our expression. Yes, artists are created differently, as evidenced by our sensitivity, our temperaments, and our personalities, but we must not allow those things to be an excuse for bad behavior and bad character. God knows we're different, and He made us that way on purpose. Winning people to Christ is the only thing we can do that has eternal significance, and He has given artists a way to communicate His truth to people in a way that speaks to the hearts of people like nothing else does. God deserves our best, most creative, and most powerful work. "The Heart of the Artist" can be read individually, or used as a small group study guide since it comes complete with group discussion questions, follow-up questions, and personal action steps.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing else like it.
Review: "The Heart of the Artist" is an indispensable guide to understanding artists and the struggles they face in Christian music ministry. It is not only suitable for artists themselves, but for anyone trying to figure out those "artsy types". This book contains valuable insights into many areas that I have not found addressed by any other source. Chapter titles include: Servanthood versus Stardom; Excellence versus Perfectionism; Handling Criticism; Jealousy and Envy; Managing Your Emotions; Leading Artists; The Artist and Sin; and The Spiritual Disciplines of the Artist. Issues are dealt with from a biblical viewpoint by the author, who leads a huge team of artists and technical people at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL, a suburb of Chicago. The most encouraging thing to me that came out of the book is that as artists, we serve a creative God, and we should be creative. Because Bible-believing Christians have things to say that have eternal significance, we should be neither ashamed nor stifled in our expression. Yes, artists are created differently, as evidenced by our sensitivity, our temperaments, and our personalities, but we must not allow those things to be an excuse for bad behavior and bad character. God knows we're different, and He made us that way on purpose. Winning people to Christ is the only thing we can do that has eternal significance, and He has given artists a way to communicate His truth to people in a way that speaks to the hearts of people like nothing else does. God deserves our best, most creative, and most powerful work. "The Heart of the Artist" can be read individually, or used as a small group study guide since it comes complete with group discussion questions, follow-up questions, and personal action steps.
Rating:
Summary: A good guide for Christian artists
Review: "The Heart of the Artist" is written in an easy-to-digest style by long-time music ministry leader Rory Noland. It is a nice guide for artists, musicians, poets, actors, dancers, etc., who want to use their talents in a Church or "ministry" setting. There are some helpfull chapters in this book that deal realistically with the sort of problems that Christians in the arts (or anyone in the arts) will have to deal with, such as "excellence verses perfectionism" and "handling critisism". However, Noland deals ONLY with the role of Christian artists within the somewhat "safe" church environment. What about the role of Christian artists OUTSIDE of the local church body? What is the proper role of the Christian artist in a secular, or even a hostile setting? Should a Christian artist create ONLY works of the "sacred", or should they be afforded the same artistic freedom as their secular peers? These are really the types of issues that I would have liked to see Noland deal with, and with the same level-headed approach that he tackles Church-related issues. Perhaps he should write a follow-up book that deals with these concerns. However, if you are a Christian with an interest in the arts, or in the responsibilities and problems of public ministry, then this book is well worth a read.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent tool for anyone involved in the creative arts.
Review: I just finished the book, and I would highly recommend it for anyone in creative arts ministry. It is the first book I've seen that addresses issues that face those of us who are in some form of "performance" ministry. It is put together in a way that it very conducive to group study. Each chapter begins with a situation that probably every Minister of Music has faced, and then the character issues that cause these situations are explored, with an emphasis on the appropriate scriptural response. Pride, envy, false humility, and the need for deep, daily communication with God are some of the topics discussed. We are going to have all members of our Fine Arts department purchase the book, and we are going to study it during our arts home groups.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome for today's levites
Review: I wish I had read this book when I was a worship director--I would have been so much more effective. What makes me appreciate Rory Noland's education so much is that he is breathtakingly personal, practical, and poignant. I feel like I know him better than I know a lot of people, since reading his book. In teaching about worship ministry, he defines true worship, requisite relationship building with God, the process of spiritual searching and maturity, and relational dynamics within the church. Don't let the "artist" moniker dissuade you from reading this book. I'm an engineering school graduate who works for a bank, i.e. non-artist, and this book has clarified truths about worship, ministry relationships, and my walk with Christ. This book will help you worship better, and will help you worship better with others.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome for today's levites
Review: I wish I had read this book when I was a worship director--I would have been so much more effective. What makes me appreciate Rory Noland's education so much is that he is breathtakingly personal, practical, and poignant. I feel like I know him better than I know a lot of people, since reading his book. In teaching about worship ministry, he defines true worship, requisite relationship building with God, the process of spiritual searching and maturity, and relational dynamics within the church. Don't let the "artist" moniker dissuade you from reading this book. I'm an engineering school graduate who works for a bank, i.e. non-artist, and this book has clarified truths about worship, ministry relationships, and my walk with Christ. This book will help you worship better, and will help you worship better with others.
Rating:
Summary: College-style Worship Leaders - don't miss this!
Review: I'm a worship leader/band leader at my campus fellowship at the University of Illinois. This book has helped point out amazing truth both in my heart and in those of the musicians I have had the chance to lead. Rory Noland attacks really tough issues including: how to lead and resolve conflict with other artists; how to strive for excellence without binding yourself to perfection; how to get out of emotional, sinful mental traps; how to recognize and work with jealousy or competition among musicians (artists). Any music leader should have this on their shelf!
Rating:
Summary: College-style Worship Leaders - don't miss this!
Review: I'm a worship leader/band leader at my campus fellowship at the University of Illinois. This book has helped point out amazing truth both in my heart and in those of the musicians I have had the chance to lead. Rory Noland attacks really tough issues including: how to lead and resolve conflict with other artists; how to strive for excellence without binding yourself to perfection; how to get out of emotional, sinful mental traps; how to recognize and work with jealousy or competition among musicians (artists). Any music leader should have this on their shelf!
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