An Incomplete Manifesto for Christian Artists

Batsirai Chada's (incomplete) list of culture forming statements that should serve all Christian Artists well...

1. Bloom where you are planted.  
Bring the light of God into your town. Arise and Shine. God will transplant you if He so chooses.

2. We can do more together than apart.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken – Eccl 4:7-12

3. Celebrate your losses.
There is enough ‘opportunity’ out there for all of us. We can celebrate the success of another – without feeling left out or competitive.

4. Beware of the tyranny of award competitions.  
Ask yourself, am I ok with losing? Be honest. Don’t enter till you are.

5. Don’t be cool
Free yourself from limits like this. People might just like you the way you are, no need to parade your fear in the latest trends. Set a new trend.

6. All of Him in all of you is all it takes.
Intimacy with God. Fight for it.

7. Ask stupid questions
Don’t be an expert in your own eyes, but learn like a child. Hungry and Carefree!

8. You are a monopoly. Don’t compete.
[WARNING: Very hard to do] Only you can share God with the world the way He intended you to do it.

9. Pray more than you practice.
Practice a lot.

10. Forget about good.
Don’t use applause as proof of greatness.

11. Daddy, what do you think?
Never let a thought enter your head that your heavenly Father doesn’t think of you.

12. Stand on someone’s shoulders.
Get mentored – in life and in music. You can travel farther carried on the accomplishments of those who came before you. And the view is so much better.

13. Make mistakes faster.
Move on to the next risk.

14. Be present.
Press delete on yesterday. How? Repent, don't forget to forgive yourself too!

15. Love your audience.
Seriously – you won’t be as nervous. They want to like you!

16. Scat.
When you forget the words, do what Ella did: make up something else ... but not words.

17. Collaborate.
The space between people working together is filled with conflict, friction, strife, exhilaration, delight, and vast creative potential.

18. Identity. 
Our identity is often in the opinion of others, instead of with God. We sacrifice peace with God  - in order to look cool with man. Don’t. Know who & Whose you are!

19. No need to be mediocre.  
'Best' is a slot available to everyone, somewhere.

20. Why not you, why not now?  
We’re listening for your answer…

Have some wise guiding words that you wish to add? Send them to me...