Taking It to the Streets

Using the Arts to Transform Your Community

by: J. Nathan Corbitt, Vivian Nix-Early

• Format

  E-Book

  ISBN

  9781441215352

  Pub. Date

  Sep 2003

  SRP

  $24.00

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About

This extensive handbook combines real-life stories with tested methodologies to create a new paradigm for the role of the arts in Christian ministry and mission.

Taking It to the Streets provides a historical perspective and theology for understanding the transforming power of the arts, a vocabulary for discussing the arts outside the sanctuary, and creative methods for bringing faith to action in the streets of society. An ideal textbook for urban missions and youth ministry courses, it will be a valued resource for churches devoted to creative mission.

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Endorsements

"There is a great distance between wanting to make a difference for poor people in the inner-city and knowing how to do it. Nathan Corbitt and Vivian Nix-Early, along with the amazing cast of characters they introduce to you in these pages, have traveled that distance by way of their imaginations and the arts, in the name of Jesus. Here is a book full of stories, inspiration, and practical wisdom about transforming lives in absolutely beautiful ways. Go artists, go!"--Bart Campolo, president, Mission Year

"This helpful book on the role of the arts fills a significant gap in the growing literature on holistic faith-based programs."--Ronald J. Sider, President, Evangelicals for Social Action

"This volume is the first of its kind. It will challenge the church to think out of the box and embrace the full counsel of God as it enhances the growth of God's kingdom in our inner city neighborhoods. The authors bring both joy to the recipients of this book and praise to the Creator who gave creativity to His people. I highly recommend this exciting work to both pastors and all those interested in community development." --Dr. Manuel Ortiz, Professor of Ministry and Urban Mission, Westminster Theology Seminary

"Taking It To The Streets is a wonderfully innovative and useful book. I've already incorporated some of its rich material into my own work and teaching. Here's what I'm thinking: If church leaders and artists will read this book together and take its message to heart, good stories will fill the earth. That's a worthy goal in a crazy world."-Charlie Peacock, musician and author of The AWAKE Project, At The Crossroads

"Nathan Corbitt and Vivian Nix-Early have provided us with one of the key missing links to Christian community development efforts. The arts can finally take a seat next to all the other efforts that the church has been using for social transformation. More importantly, the authors show how vital the integration of the arts is, not only in an individual's life, but in how we relate to one another, and how we build community. And they provide us with models that inspire us to unleash our creativity and use it to make a difference in the world. An extremely important book for all those engaged in building the NU JERUZ."-Grace Roberts Dyrness, associate director of the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California

"Taking It to the Streets is a prescient resource not just for arts in urban ministry, but urban ministry in general. It reads like a newspaper, loaded with quotes, facts and anecdotal accounts to go alongside theological and philosophical analyses. The profiles of individuals at work creating the Nu Jeruz with their lives read like a Who's Who of urban arts ministry, North America c. 2003. Whether artist, urban minister, clergy, student or academic, you will find plenty in Streets to stimulate and challenge you and others around you."-Rudy Carrasco, associate director, Harambee Christian Family Center

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