A Manifest manifesto
Brenton Stacey
Co-convenor
Manifest Creative Arts Festival
Faithful creativity is missing from our culture and, largely, from our church. It seems the choice has either been to be faithful (in the church) or to be creative (in the world). The Manifest Creative Arts Festival aims to present a third choice: to explore, encourage and celebrate faithful creativity.
Perhaps we have ourselves to blame for the lack of faithful creativity. William Romanowski, author of Pop Culture Wars, writes about how Christians typically appropriate, condemn or consume culture. Our true calling, he says: to transform culture.
The influence of the mass media on popular culture means artists are best placed to meet this challenge.
Manifest seeks to create a community of artists who share a common belief: that churches should foster creativity and become centres for creativity and creative influence in our communities.
We recognise a common belief is meaningless, though, unless it influences behaviour. In Flickering Pixels, Shane Hipps writes about how technology shapes your faith. He also asks: “How does your faith actually manifest in this world to bring about justice, altruism, compassion, and peace?”
To answer this question, we must acknowledge the fallenness of our world and the brokenness of our lives. Wisdom calls us to seek redemption, to act justly and to love mercy. Faithfulness calls us to share these truths in partnership with our Creator and Re-Creator.
Manifest may challenge some of your perceptions and attitudes. It will help you better appreciate beauty. It will inspire you. But it will not act for you. Our call to faithful creativity must become your call.
Manifest welcomes you to our community. Join us in print, in person or online.