Book Giveaway!
Below you’ll find a synopsis of Troy Bronsink’s new book, Drawn In: A Creative Process for Artists, Activists, and Jesus Followers. We think this book will mean so much to you and your creative team that we’re doing a giveaway of five copies of the book to five lucky commenters (details below).
“Get drawn into God’s beautiful creative process”
Inspiration, deadlines, planning, feedback, … all these words can bring up anxiety in a worship leader. Over the past 15 years of working with artists and faith leaders Troy Bronsink began to pay attention to these anxieties and notice what contributes to his own driveness as opposed to those times when he felt “in the flow”—leading folks in prayer, creating with a free spirit, and being drawn into God’s dreams for beloved community.
DRAWN IN: A Creative Process for Artists, Activists, and Jesus Followers is about the balance between risk and rest, and the ways we relate what we make in worship to a life of worship in God’s world, “on earth as it is in heaven.” This book is more about seeing beauty than about making beautiful artwork or music. It is more about being agents of justice than about directing justice projects. And it’s more about being God’s song than singing songs to God. It follows a hunch that the mutuality, openness, and focus required to make great art is also a part of our relationship with God and our active roles in our families, communities, churches, and cities.
The book begins by exploring God’s own creative process, both from accounts in Genesis, as well as throughout scripture, in Jesus’ own New Creation ministry, and in the church commissioned to be “God’s works of art, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepares in advance to be our way of life” (Ephesians 2: 10). It then focuses on the ingredients of creative work: our time, space, and material world—how they inspire us, how we learn through them, and how they are designed to host God’s glory. Drawn In then ends with a charge to “make your life a monastery.”
Awarded “2012 Best Book on Creativity and The Arts” by Hearts and Minds Books, Drawn In is full of exercises, prayers, examples from popular and fine arts, and biblical stories that address our identity as God’s works of art, and commission to create art within God’s grand work.
Troy Bronsink is a musician/author helping shape the future worship practices of the church. Troy’s friendships and artist’s experiences span a wide range of the American Christian landscape including Emergent Village and Liberty University, inner-city Atlanta and suburban Cincinnati, Young Life and the PC(USA). Troy has performed and recorded across folk, indie, and worship music genres (including 2012 Songs to Pray By). Presbyterian minister and consultant with over twenty years of experience in para-church, church planting, and worship ministry, Troy has spoken and made music with camps, conferences, schools, and congregations large and small. He currently lives with his wife and their two children in Cincinnati.
So… this is an easy giveaway. Just leave a comment below. Any comment – why you’d like the book for you and your creative team, what you struggle with creatively, why you love WorshipHouse… or just say “hi”. All commenters will be automatically entered to win one of 5 copies of the book. Comment by 2/27 to win! And, don’t be greedy… share the giveaway with your friends!
February 20th, 2013 at 8:19 am
I’m trying to read more in 2013 and opps. like this keep coming up. Sounds like a wonderful book!
February 20th, 2013 at 11:20 am
Love to recieve some fresh ideas on creating meaningful worship experiences
February 20th, 2013 at 11:29 am
Hey guys I’m so glad I found you. I just accepted the position of creative team leader for a church in Austin and your blog is just what I need. Thanks for sharing!!
You are a God send. Blessings to you all!
February 20th, 2013 at 11:42 am
Thanks so much for all you guys do. What an amazing resource!
February 20th, 2013 at 11:56 am
Because worship is a place where we have the chance to meet Jesus Christ, and it behooves us to pay attention to its many dimensions and possibilities…
February 20th, 2013 at 11:57 am
Hi.
Very creative, eh? This is why I need books like this one…
February 20th, 2013 at 1:05 pm
I am on the Worship and Music committee of a small church that is trying to update. This sounds good.
February 20th, 2013 at 1:14 pm
Our worship ministry has become much more of a community of artists in the last year since our worship committee has pursued God’s direction and a greater definition of worship beyond the music we share. We would love to learn more about the creative process and this book could be a great tool to continue to move us forward.
Thanks so much for all you do here at WHM. I was able to use one Dan Stevers vid “Scars” this morning in a public school setting as I shared my journey through bullying and God’s grace with middle school students in Spruce Grove, AB. Thank you so much.
February 20th, 2013 at 2:37 pm
I am one of the media crew and I love to get new ideas and learn how to reach each one in our congregation. Looks like a great book!
February 20th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Balance was the word that leapt off the page above for me. I’ve always said, ministry is either on your knees or on your toes, and wisdom is knowing which one, when. How I desire to walk steady in the balance of holy and happy obligation and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Thanks for listening!
February 20th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Hi, I’ve been looking for a book like this. Looks like a very nice resource. Blessings.
February 21st, 2013 at 11:21 am
we are told to use our gifts to the glory of God. In him we are given the strength and courage to trust in him to do his will for the ministry and mission of the Church.
February 21st, 2013 at 3:42 pm
Glad to have found you. I’m a graphic artist called to illustrate The Word. My tag line is: Drawing People Closer to Christ.
I’d be very blessed with this book.
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:06 am
In many ways I try NOT to be creative. As a preacher, I try to stick to the text, so looking at the topic of creativity would be an interesting one.
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:07 am
Looks like a great resource. Love the idea that the book begins with “God’s own creative process” and then goes to Eph. 2:10. We are created by a creative God, in His image, to be creative, just as He created us to be.
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:28 am
Always looking for books to share with our teams.
February 22nd, 2013 at 11:05 am
As a visual worship leader…this booking is drawing me in…we desire to be our best so we can give our best to Him!!
February 22nd, 2013 at 12:18 pm
I would really like to share this book with our pastor who is an artist and a musician as well as a wonderful pastor. Thank you for making so many things available to us!
February 22nd, 2013 at 12:33 pm
Would love to get into this book to help break the barriers of getting creativity and art into worship, and then the barrier of creativity beyond “managed work”, that it becomes life-flow and worshipful!
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:05 pm
I am always looking for help with creativity. then combining it with worship
February 22nd, 2013 at 4:37 pm
Sounds like a holistic, whole-life approach to both worshiping and creating. Would love to read more!
February 22nd, 2013 at 5:53 pm
I love Jesus, books and art!
February 22nd, 2013 at 8:52 pm
This looks like a great thought provoking book to get those creative wheels churning!
February 23rd, 2013 at 5:35 pm
It Is Gonna Be A Great Read Loaded
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:12 pm
Love reading books on creativity and the process. Been thinking about reading more creative books, and I’m sure our team here would love to read it too. Looks like a good one!
February 24th, 2013 at 10:24 am
Media is but a tool, when used properly, to shine God’s perfect light into the darkness of lost souls. Helping people find and follow Jesus.
February 25th, 2013 at 3:37 pm
We use media all the time at our church. It is a way to reach visitors and a way for us to show our worship.
February 25th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
This book beats the same as my heart…so thank you Troy for being a faithful servant with the talent God has given you. Will definitely look this book up and buy even if i dont win it. Thank you!
February 26th, 2013 at 12:50 am
Hey. Amazing ministry. Praying for renewed vision, strength and abounding grace for you guys. xoxo
February 26th, 2013 at 3:18 am
I believe that there is a desire within the Christian community to experience creative worship forms. I believe that we have gone through a time where more dry worship was expected and acceptable, but that there is a longing within people to rediscover their creative side – people are worn out with unfulfilling efforts.
February 26th, 2013 at 10:05 am
I really enjoy looking for new ideas!!!
February 26th, 2013 at 10:39 am
Being a pastor of an innovative church, we thrive on creativity. We believe in reaching out to the lost in a creative way. With this book, we know it will help us pursue this passion. This will give us the chance to own the book for free, which is something the volunteers are excited about. For sure, the contents of this book will provide us the thought process and realizations on how we can be more creative in ministry. Hope we are one of the five winners. God bless you, WorshipHouseMedia!
February 26th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Trying to up our creative process all the way across the board. This seems like a great resource.
February 26th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
We have a great creative team at my church and are always looking for ways to improve. We try to read through books together.
February 26th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
I love reading and gaining insight and wisdom from others.
February 26th, 2013 at 2:19 pm
Always in need and looking for a creative spark!
February 27th, 2013 at 9:33 am
I’m new to worship ministry leadership and would love to receive any help I can get! This book seems like it would be a great help to me and my creative team. Thanks, Worship House!
February 27th, 2013 at 9:43 am
Iron sharpens iron.
February 27th, 2013 at 9:52 am
We as a church are trying to enhance our worship experience through worship media and the arts. I would love to have a copy of this book as a catalyst to help our team think outside the box.
February 27th, 2013 at 10:10 am
I think our entire team could benefit from the ideas here! Can’t wait to read it!
February 27th, 2013 at 10:36 am
our church has been using worshiphouse for years as a great resource for inspiring video supplements. I trust that owning this free book will yet inspire us to serve the Lord in more creative and relevant ways! Thank you worshiphouse!
February 27th, 2013 at 10:41 am
Sounds like an awesome book!
February 27th, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Would Love To Read This Book
February 27th, 2013 at 7:21 pm
My biggest challenge creatively is procrastination. Desire is overcome with lack thereof.
February 27th, 2013 at 9:24 pm
I wish I had more time to devote to planning worship arts. It is a challenge being a volunteer worship leader having a full time job.