The Kingdom Among People

Back in 2012, while we were living in the US and entrenched in the midst of what many would deem a ‘successful’ church worship ministry, Ryan began to feel challenged by the Spirit and drawn towards something else—a reset in what his work was supposed to be. His job title of “Pastor of Worship and Creative Arts” didn’t seem to make a lot of sense and he’d often ask himself, “Do ‘worship’ or the ‘creative arts’ actually need a pastor?”

This maturation process was leading Ryan to get past the music, past the art, the production, the staging, etc., and focus squarely upon the persons creating these things. He was learning what it meant to be a pastor to Worshippers, to Creatives, and to Artists.

That perspective realignment shaped the heart of everything that followed and soon Ryan found himself the pastor of a thriving community of artists and musicians throughout our region, caring for people that often feel ‘on the outside,’ walking alongside with them, and being reliably available when life’s troubles might arise or in times when they might want to explore spiritual matters. Musicians and artists add to the beauty of the world around us. When those same people get a taste of their Maker’s love for themselves, the beauty they add is the beauty of the Kingdom itself.

Creatives often feel that people value ‘art’ but hold far less value for the ‘artist’ themselves. For us, ushering in a sense of the Kingdom and the love God has for the musicians, creatives, and artists in Dublin means to, first, be present and available as an unofficial ‘chaplain’ to those in the music and arts communities—a peculiar source of peace, care, and love without the need for reciprocation. Secondly, it means to cultivate a ministry of intentional hospitality, cultivating spaces that are warm and safe, where people feel the freedom to let guards down and speak their hearts without fear or threat. In that space, room is given for Love to take over and for people to know their worth in the eyes of the One that made them. This kind of work takes place in churches, pubs, shops, coffee houses, around dining room tables, on stages, and even in homeless shelters.

And so, we find ourselves wherever creatives may be found — because that’s the ministry work…the music is the easy part.