Ministries in Action Podcast: ReNew York Interview
When we first started this ministry, we had no idea how we would resource other ministers. Our website has hits from all over the world, we’ve spoken at different churches… and we’ve been featured on a couple of podcasts as guests!
This podcast, hosted by Melodie Tunney, begins with her describing that “God, the ultimate Creator, uses creative people like musicians, painters, dancers, actors, and entertainers to impact the world on behalf of the Gospel.” We were honored to be able to talk about not only how we try to embody that ourselves, but also how we try to foster that through our amazing community of creatives!
We describe our daily work:
ReNew York hosts "two events every month" to equip Christian artists and foster conversation. These events are "an easy approachable short-cut to profound conversation." Beyond gatherings, Amy and Danielle engage in "event planning, online resource creation, and meeting with different people… like professional friends!" We also actively "participate in the culture making of New York" through personal "writing or auditioning."
A glimpse into our community:
We also share about how the ministry surprised us by “serving as a lifeline… for many who wouldn't be going to church or don't go to church, whether it’s due to chronic illness or past church hurts." Amy highlighted the holistic care, "walking through like big tragedy and seeing them through like life transitions,” and gave the example of one of our best friends: a painter who lost her dominant arm to cancer. We watched as she found new artistic expression with her left hand, and her "lefthanded paintings have resonated so much more with people." Simultaneously, we highlight how ministry trainings have led to tangible multiplication, as friends of our artists investigated God for themselves! Lastly, we laughed together at how diverse our community is, making photos look staged, and how that’s really just a reflection of being in a diverse area and holding space for others.
Some of our biggest challenges:
We shared honestly about how it can be hard to have "very limited resources," and how our creativity serves us as we stretch every dollar we have… But as the ministry grows and inflation grows with it, how that task gets harder and harder. We also share that there can be some strain in being a two-person team wearing "a lot of hats,” particularly in light of some personal struggles with overresponsibility or anxiety.
Our advice for others who sense a call:
Seek Wise Counsel: "Having other wise voices is really important."
Embrace Sabbath: "The biggest indicator of burnout is whether or not they take a Sabbath." Make it a "non-negotiable."
Daily Scripture Reorientation: "You've gotta be in scripture." This helps "get out of your own head and reorient."
Release Worldly Metrics: "Don't be too hung up on like worldly ideas of success and failure." Trust God's unique plan.
We are so grateful to Melodie and Ministries in Action for having us, and we really hope this podcast will encourage and strengthen ministers all over the world!
