As some of my brothers and sisters here know, I've been slowly transitioning from a job as a financial analyst into a full time job in the arts (filmmaking). The issue here is that I have no desire whatsoever to make Christian films, nor do I entertain the notion that secular audiences will come to Christ because of my work in the arts. So lately I've been questioning my own heart and motives in order to keep a clean conscience, which is my main concern.
It seems I've always been inclined toward artistic endeavours and feel quite close to God while persuing these interests. It's as though God has given me an unusual ability to move people through story. I've seen this several times when observing audience reactions during a screening. I don't say this to boast because it's a gift from God that I didn't work for, though I've tried to cultivate that gift.
Those Christians who are musically inclined (I'm not!) have a distinct place in ministry, and it's a very biblical persuit. Filmmaking, being a farily recent invention, is something I wonder about. Is this a worthy persuit for a Christian man? Is an internal impression good enough evidence? I'm not sure. I enjoy what I do but that's hardly evidence since those persuing evil find enjoyment in that as well. So I guess I'm looking for some biblical counsel here. Many of those with whom I normally fellowship are a bit compromised and have a more lax standard than myself... so they see nothing wrong with it. This is why I write to the FBFF.
So what advice would you give a Christian man whose job is directing and writing mainstream films? One thing occured to me while looking for areas of biblical agreement and it's this.... is working as a finanical analyst more or less holy than making films? How do I minister to people at my current secular job? I minister mostly through obedience to Christ, which tends to draw attention from others. So should I look at filmmaking as a ministry or think of it as a secular job in which I minister to people through my words and actions?
I need some Counsel....
I need some Counsel....
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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My perspective
Dear JC,
My advice to you is to forget about what other people think about YOUR Christianity. It is strictly between you and God. Do not be that Christian that goes to church with the big fish on the back of your car saying "see I'm a Christian", don't wrap your Bible up in a pillow case like it's a present saying "see how well I keep my Bible" .... avoid the "look at me, I'm a Christian. Be like the Apostle Paul when he was faced with the dilemma of what the "world" thought of him. Its right there in 1 Cor 4:3 "... It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord." (1 Cor 4:3)
Take another lesson from Paul and stop worrying about practicing your Christianity in a Christian world. Be a Christian in a non-Christian world. Its right there in 1 Cor 9:19 "....Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law--though I myself am not under the law--to win over those under the law. To those outside the law I became like one outside the law--though I am not outside God's law but within the law of Christ--to win over those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it."
If you area good and motivated film-maker than do that. Go where the sinners are where the lepers of society are, there where you would find Jesus. People will see who and what you are by your actions without even picking up and preaching a word of scripture. From that point, when they ask about why you always such a happy guy you can simply point them the way.
Christ's Peace, Steve
My advice to you is to forget about what other people think about YOUR Christianity. It is strictly between you and God. Do not be that Christian that goes to church with the big fish on the back of your car saying "see I'm a Christian", don't wrap your Bible up in a pillow case like it's a present saying "see how well I keep my Bible" .... avoid the "look at me, I'm a Christian. Be like the Apostle Paul when he was faced with the dilemma of what the "world" thought of him. Its right there in 1 Cor 4:3 "... It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord." (1 Cor 4:3)
Take another lesson from Paul and stop worrying about practicing your Christianity in a Christian world. Be a Christian in a non-Christian world. Its right there in 1 Cor 9:19 "....Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law--though I myself am not under the law--to win over those under the law. To those outside the law I became like one outside the law--though I am not outside God's law but within the law of Christ--to win over those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it."
If you area good and motivated film-maker than do that. Go where the sinners are where the lepers of society are, there where you would find Jesus. People will see who and what you are by your actions without even picking up and preaching a word of scripture. From that point, when they ask about why you always such a happy guy you can simply point them the way.
Christ's Peace, Steve
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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_livingink
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JC,
I'm probably inclined to say that there are jobs that Christians do as opposed to Christian jobs and secular jobs. Paul was a tentmaker and John was a fisherman. At one time, they weren't Christians simply because the concept wasn't known to them. Later, Paul was both a Christian and tentmaker and the same for John and James as fishermen. We know that all 3 could be considered overseers and that overseers needed to have a good reputation with outsiders. We know that we must work within the world while not becoming part of it. We know that a financial analyst crunches numbers and that the steward who turned 5 talents into 10 must have been able to buy and sell, plant and harvest when appropriate, deal with both Christian and secular suppliers and brokers, etc. You could continue as an analyst performing your work honestly with a goal of helping your client, whether Christian or non-Christian, achieve a gain on assets. I believe you would be applying the principles that Christ established for his disciples since all gains accrue to God and God will decide who will be steward of his various goods.
You could make films. Not Christian films or secular films but films--period. They will reflect your heart. As a Christian, they should reflect light. They should be a beacon in the darkness since men love the darkness. So, in your films there will spring forth a limiting factor that will not let you show filth because the master you have chosen to follow didn't teach in that way. You'll have to study the way the old directors developed characters--John Wayne in The Searchers, Barry Fitzgerald in The Quiet Man, Don Knotts as Barney Fife, Ken Curtis as Festus--why do we remember them? They developed the character and made him come alive. Again, stewardship of what you're given to work with be it money or directing talent.
If, by holy, you mean to be set apart for service to God, then neither job is more holy. But, you yourself may be set apart regardless of your choice. List your assets and invest wisely--there is an accounting.
I'm probably inclined to say that there are jobs that Christians do as opposed to Christian jobs and secular jobs. Paul was a tentmaker and John was a fisherman. At one time, they weren't Christians simply because the concept wasn't known to them. Later, Paul was both a Christian and tentmaker and the same for John and James as fishermen. We know that all 3 could be considered overseers and that overseers needed to have a good reputation with outsiders. We know that we must work within the world while not becoming part of it. We know that a financial analyst crunches numbers and that the steward who turned 5 talents into 10 must have been able to buy and sell, plant and harvest when appropriate, deal with both Christian and secular suppliers and brokers, etc. You could continue as an analyst performing your work honestly with a goal of helping your client, whether Christian or non-Christian, achieve a gain on assets. I believe you would be applying the principles that Christ established for his disciples since all gains accrue to God and God will decide who will be steward of his various goods.
You could make films. Not Christian films or secular films but films--period. They will reflect your heart. As a Christian, they should reflect light. They should be a beacon in the darkness since men love the darkness. So, in your films there will spring forth a limiting factor that will not let you show filth because the master you have chosen to follow didn't teach in that way. You'll have to study the way the old directors developed characters--John Wayne in The Searchers, Barry Fitzgerald in The Quiet Man, Don Knotts as Barney Fife, Ken Curtis as Festus--why do we remember them? They developed the character and made him come alive. Again, stewardship of what you're given to work with be it money or directing talent.
If, by holy, you mean to be set apart for service to God, then neither job is more holy. But, you yourself may be set apart regardless of your choice. List your assets and invest wisely--there is an accounting.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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Thank you both for your comments. When I say that I have no interest in making Christian films, I'm talking about movies that are obviously made in order to convert nonbelievers. I don't appeal to cursing or nudity, though sometimes violence can be an effetive visual tool to convey certain truthes. Hotel Rwanda was a powerful film that would've been greatly lacking if not for the disturbing imagery.
I've found that it's not very difficult to witness to people on a film set. Standing around the craft service table shooting the breeze is how we socialize. When they see that I'm the only one not talking about how many chicks I've taken home, it becomes glaring obviously that there's a black sheep among the fold. This is sometimes an occasion for ribbing, but not if the black sheep is the director. People tend to hold their tongue around the "boss."
I've found that it's not very difficult to witness to people on a film set. Standing around the craft service table shooting the breeze is how we socialize. When they see that I'm the only one not talking about how many chicks I've taken home, it becomes glaring obviously that there's a black sheep among the fold. This is sometimes an occasion for ribbing, but not if the black sheep is the director. People tend to hold their tongue around the "boss."
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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JC wrote:
the same goes for Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart, etc.
i think CSteve and livingink gave great responses. the fact that you are concerned shows your heart is in the right place.
TK
Hotel Rwanda was a powerful film that would've been greatly lacking if not for the disturbing imagery.
the same goes for Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart, etc.
i think CSteve and livingink gave great responses. the fact that you are concerned shows your heart is in the right place.
TK
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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"Were not our hearts burning within us? (Lk 24:32)
I don't think you have to worry about talking about chicks on a film set, more like "are you gay or straight ?". During college, I used to work at one of the major three TV networks in Los Angeles.
The climate I met was who would sleep with who (male or female), what party you were at and is your drug habit casual or addictive. I had to laugh once when a guy from one the shows passed by and I jokingly said "Hi big boy, new in town?"...he responded by "leave me alone we know you're straight". I was floored that a positive aspect of my life had perpetuated the halls of this network. We had a lady in Guest Relations that held a weekly Bible Study so even within the bowels of this supposed "hell" Christians pocked holes into the devil's playground. I had several friends that were less than Christian (they didn't even try to be Christian) whom I often had lunch with and could tell it was almost a counseling session. You must prepare yourself to meet head-on many people that will disgust you, but by plowing through you will slowly but surely begin to position yourself as a positive power film maker.
You may not agree with Mel Gibson but he turned the Film Industry on its ears with the Passion. Look how long it took him to get there, but it has also taken a toll on his life and we can only hope he keeps on the high road and not the low road.
When people ask "Why are you always so damn happy" you know you are reaching them. I was probably just one of many Christian people that God was using and something I'd never see the end result to.
You should press forward in that which you have your best talent and love. Yes, sometimes that does not pay the bills, but luckily film making (initially) can be accomplished on a shoe string budget on a P/T schedule. Best of luck. Catholic Steve
The climate I met was who would sleep with who (male or female), what party you were at and is your drug habit casual or addictive. I had to laugh once when a guy from one the shows passed by and I jokingly said "Hi big boy, new in town?"...he responded by "leave me alone we know you're straight". I was floored that a positive aspect of my life had perpetuated the halls of this network. We had a lady in Guest Relations that held a weekly Bible Study so even within the bowels of this supposed "hell" Christians pocked holes into the devil's playground. I had several friends that were less than Christian (they didn't even try to be Christian) whom I often had lunch with and could tell it was almost a counseling session. You must prepare yourself to meet head-on many people that will disgust you, but by plowing through you will slowly but surely begin to position yourself as a positive power film maker.
You may not agree with Mel Gibson but he turned the Film Industry on its ears with the Passion. Look how long it took him to get there, but it has also taken a toll on his life and we can only hope he keeps on the high road and not the low road.
When people ask "Why are you always so damn happy" you know you are reaching them. I was probably just one of many Christian people that God was using and something I'd never see the end result to.
You should press forward in that which you have your best talent and love. Yes, sometimes that does not pay the bills, but luckily film making (initially) can be accomplished on a shoe string budget on a P/T schedule. Best of luck. Catholic Steve
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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