The Heart of the Artist

I bought this book back in August but I didn't have a yearning to read it while up at college. Now that I'm back home and have more free time than I can deal with, I decided to open up the pages of this ebook.The book is divided into ten chapters dealing with topics that most have either experienced or witnessed in the church. The following topics were on character, humility, teamwork, excellence vs perfectionism, handling criticism,jealousy, managing emotions, leadership, sin, and spiritual discipline. Not stating specific sins I know I have struggled with each topic.Each chapter opens with a fictional scenario that can happen anywhere. The author goes into detail on how and why we struggle and what does the Bible offer for council. He then ends every chapter with questions on the topic for group discussions though they can be use for self evaluation.I didn't particularly like reading this book. It wasn't because the information was baseless but because it was too convicting. I've been struggling with bouts of doubt and depression and this book confirmed the conclusion I arrived to, no matter how hard I try I can't save myself. None of my gifts, skills, or talents could ever relieve me of the burdens of my heart. Only Jesus can save. The gifts we were given to Him are to be used to give Him glory and praise.Though you could get all this information from the Bible or a book on discipleship, I appreciate the effort the author took to target the artists(musicians, singers, dancers, poets, a/v technicians, actors, etc) in the church who need some encouragement while serving Christ and His people.I would recommend this book for anyone who would like to that their artisanship to higher heights in Christ and build up whatever ministry their hands take part in. The book is a bit wordy for only pages for an ebook but I can guarantee this you will learn something from your edification.

As a drummer in the praise team at a large church (1,500) I had gone through a study of this book with my team several years ago between services on Sunday mornings. It really brought the entire group into focus with a common goal. I even read it again a bit later on my own to review some of the points that hit home with me specifically (excellence vs. perfection, jealousy, etc.).Then a little over two years ago, I moved and was part of the "birth" of a new contemporary church with a group of musicians and singers with unbelievable talent. The church has grown quickly and we are currently making plans for our 2nd (and possibly 3rd) expansions on a facility that is less than 16 months old.As we have grown, it could be easy to get caught up in an "aren't we special" mentality. While we have been blessed with humble servants and developed close personal relationships, we have been so "busy" that we haven't spent as much time as we probabl should have to build those spiritual bonds. I proposed this book as a place to start, ordered copies for everyone and we are currently in week four and haven't gotten out of the 1st chapter.We have two services each Sunday and our group meets immediately after the music from the first service. In the short time we have been "in the book", I have received "thank you's" from everyone for introducing them to "The Heart of the Artist". We have already grown closer, to each other, to our God, and to our purpose as musicians in his church.This books forces us to take a hard look at ourselves as artists in the church and to evaluate our hearts, our goals, and our true motivations. And to see that it's not about the talent, it's about the HEART. The book points out that it is not always easy to change, but to truly address character and integrity, we first have to make an honest assessment of where we are now, not always a comfortable thing to do. We can then use the principals presented here to move forward and help us use our talents to serve others and not ourselves.

This book is the very best primer I've found for worship teams. It is essential for Worship Leaders to know why we do what we do, and to know that our worship team members are there for the right reasons. After 20+ years in music ministry, I still use Rory Noland's Heart of the Artist as a manual for new worship team members, and it can be used as a Bible study for the whole team. Too often we focus on the mechanics of leading worship, e.g. playing or singing the right notes the right way, which is very important, yet we sometimes fail to address the "heart" of the matter. If you are a worship leader who has struggled with "difficult" band members, had to fire someone from the team, or even if you are simply struggling with feeling motivated, this book is essential for you to read. Mr. Noland gives biblical support for all of his points and makes clearer the murky area of serving with artistic temperaments. This book was a groundbreaker when it was written, and though there are many sources available today, "The Heart of the Artist" is, in my opinion, still the best manual out there for building and maintaining a worship team with a right heart.

This is my second time reading this book. I read it with our former praise team when I lived in Virginia about ten years ago. Now we live in Florida and we are reading through it again with another praise team at a different church. This book is just as relevant now as it was then. Because I am a church musician, the words of this book are almost as if I were looking into a mirror. It is almost as if Rory wrote this book to me personally although we have never met. He gives great solutions to avoid pitfalls in church ministry whether you are an instrumentalist, a vocalist, a sound technician, or a leader in the music ministry. If you serve in the music ministry at your church in any capacity, I highly recommend this book.

Practical suggestions for seeking God. Learn to humbly serve the church and others with the gifts God has blessed you with.

good book, the practical problems encountered are discussed and whats the primary goal of a person in ministry is specifically focussed !!

Rory Noland passes on some extremely useful tips from his vast experience as a worship band leader and musician, and his pastoral viewpoint is a real help

Este é um livro excelente para artistas que querem ser influentes, pois querem desenvolver tanto a sua arte como o ser caracter.

loved this book!! what a great tool for Christian musicians.