The Heart of the Artist, Second Edition - 2nd Edition by Rory Noland (Paperback)

About the Book

Rory Noland's classic The Heart of the Artist explores character issues facing Christian artists including servanthood versus stardom, handling criticism, jealousy and envy, managing your emotions, and more. Now in an updated second edition it is the ideal resource for artists who want to use their gifts more effectively in church ministry.

Book Synopsis

Discover How to Flourish as an Artist in the Church. Over 150,000 Copies Sold.

God is interested in your art and your heart. The Heart of the Artist, now in an updated second edition, deals head-on with issues every person in an arts ministry faces, including:

• Servanthood versus stardom
• Excellence versus perfectionism
• Handling criticism
• Jealousy and envy
• Managing your emotions
• The spiritual disciplines of the artist
• And much more

Each chapter includes provocative questions for group discussion and personal action steps for individual application. Somewhere between pride and self-abasement lies true humility--just one aspect of the balanced character God wants to instill in you as a musician, a technical media artist, or other creative person involved in ministry.

The Heart of the Artist will give you a better understanding of yourself and your unique place in the body of Christ. You'll find wisdom and encouragement that can help you survive the challenges and reap the rich joys of a ministry in the creative arts.

Review Quotes

'As worship leaders, it is incredibly important to create a culture of integrity and authenticity on our teams. Reading this book with my team really broke the ice for us to honestly talk about struggling with sin as creatives in the church. It's a tool that I will come back to again and again.'-- ZACH JONES, Director of Worship, Flatland Church, Omaha, NE

'Every endeavor is directly related to character, which is developed over a lifetime. In this new version of The Heart of the Artist, Rory Noland reveals a pathway essential for Christian artists to experience successful ministries. Skill is included in the development of an artist, but character and a willingness to obey Christ is the foundational requirement. Every Christian artist needs the content of this work to guide them on this amazing journey.'-- STAN ENDICOTT, Chief Culture Office, Slingshot Group

'I took my team through this book, and I will never forget our discussions on what we had read and how it began to shape us. But I never expected it to grow a healthy team of worshipers like it did. This book caused ministry to flourish simply because we chose to be worshiping artists and not performers. It weeded out that mindset. This is the one tool that I can definitely say empowered authentic worship.'-- LEE LUKAZEWSKI, Adult Ministries Pastor, Christ Community Church

'This book heavily influenced me in a critical time in my life. I was wrestling with my role as a worship leader in a megachurch, looking for answers to many questions. Rory seemed to know what was happening inside my heart and head and provided the answers. Better yet, he pointed me to where to find the answers: Scripture. After I soaked up the content, I used it as a framework for Bible study and discipleship with my team members. Later I was blessed to start a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving artists of all walks of life. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next generation being exposed to its biblical truth, historical facts, and practical tools for living and serving as a Christian creative.'-- BEN SHAFER, Executive Director, 402 Arts Collective

'This book is simply one of the greatest tools you can put in your tool belt as a worship leader or creative in the church. Whether you've been in ministry for twenty days or twenty years, it will challenge you toward godly character and leadership development and provide you with practical insights for stewarding your creative heart as well as the hearts of the creatives you have been entrusted to lead.'-- KYLE FREDRICKS, Worship Pastor, Harvest Church, North Indianapolis

'This book not only was highly influential in my own ministry and leadership journey but also is a resource I have used time and again in the development and formation of young leaders. This second edition with new content is a godsend for today's generation of creatives and creative leaders. Rory will continue to save artists who read this from unnecessary landmines and help them walk more fully in God's plan and purpose for their lives and gifting. Whether or not you've read it before, it's a must-read!'-- TIM FOOT, Vice President of Senior Leadership and Experience, Slingshot Group

'Twenty-one years ago, I read the first edition of this book. At that time, it impacted, influenced and shaped our worship ministry in profound ways. Worship pastors everywhere are now rejoicing that we have a second edition. I commend Rory for addressing the challenging character issues we all deal with. His real-life illustrations, his connecting us to Scripture, and his discussion questions and action steps make this one of the most comprehensive worship resources anywhere. This new edition is as important now as his original was twenty-one years ago--maybe more.'-- DENNIS WORLEY, Lead Worship Minister, Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood, TN