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Monday, May 14, 2007
The Watershed Mark (1) : Garold and Lori Anderson Writer : Dawn FungDawn Fung talks to Garold and Lori Anderson, pioneers of Watershed Arts, a centre and an organic network of thinkers and artists. Garold and Lori Anderson had visited Singapore in December 2006. Yearly they invite various artists to a retreat in France to share questions and life together. Their ministry reaches specially to artists, meeting their needs as Christians in a world and sometimes church, that may not understand. This is Part 1 of the interview.  Garold and Lori AndersonGarold & Lori : Watershed Arts is an international organisation committed to the encouragement of art and the mentoring of artists. Our approach to those tasks is from a biblical world-view. When Jesus arrived on planet Earth, it seemed that one of His greatest missions was to challenge the way people viewed life, God, and God's ways. That's also a large part of Watershed. The core issues stay the same, but the packaging changes. The key is to figure out what those core issues really are. The word 'watershed' means a place of decision. Without decisions we don't move on. Without good decisions we move in bad directions. The vision for Watershed began many years ago before we had a name or an official organisation. Watershed is just an extension of something we have always done - to create an organic sense of community and encouragement for artists - a place where people can make good decisions. Dawn : Could you give me some examples of what you mean by core issues and packaging? Garold : How we 'do' church is the packaging of God's core desire for us to gather for teaching and encouragement. The gathering must happen: the style, the size, and the location can be quite unique. Words and phrases that are often 'holy' to us are also usually just 'disposable' packaging. The term 'born again', for instance, is just one way to express our core need of a fresh beginning - a cleansing. 'Bread of life' may have been a good way in a Jewish culture to communicate how Jesus is the basic food for every soul, but it's actually a bad example in grain-poor Kenya. The woman at the well was trying to debate about the 'packaging' of worship. She is asking, "Where is the proper place - these mountains or Jerusalem?" but Jesus' answer went to the heart, "Worship isn't about a place. It's about spirit and truth." (See John 4) When I was on tour in East Communist German, my tour manager, an atheist said, "I love the piece you do about the creation of the world. It's beautiful, but do you really believe that stuff, the Genesis account of creation?" In answer I said, "I don't think it's possible for the Bible or anyone to explain to us what really happened. Genesis uses artistic language to tell us that God, like a sculptor, was 'physically involved' with the creation of mankind. Then, with a kiss, it says He breathed life and spirit into His creation. These images communicate how intimately involved God was at the beginning of life and how intimate He still desires to be in our lives." I was able to say those things because I believe the core issues of Genesis are not the science of creation, rather the heart behind that event. Shortly after that conversation my tour manager decided to begin his journey with that God. I have found that explaining the core issues through whatever packaging is necessary, be it words or action, because it creates an open door for the consideration of God's ways. Dawn : What kind of culture is Watershed Arts contributing to your target group? Garold & Lori : We are trying to promote a culture of real life that can only truly come from an honest, living relationship with God. It's a journey of balance and breadth. If someone is way over on the right side of the page we encourage him to consider the left as well, and visa versa. Some may not view this as the most outrageous way to produce art, but we see it as the way to find truth and equilibrium for life. In practice it places a person in a position of great tension. It's the place we feel that Jesus always stood.  FranceGarold & Lori : In a remote village in France we offer artists and other creative thinkers an environment that is free of distractions and where they can freely question life, its purpose, and their motives. In this very casual environment we help them to reconsider their connection to the Source of Life. From whatever source a person is drawing their life sustenance determines what will come out of them, in creating works of art and just life in general. Everything we've done has come from experimentation. We just try things. In the midst of our 'trying' we've realised that a relaxed, 'open-home' environment allows people to be themselves and to express themselves freely. It's what being in a kitchen does to most people; they get honest and intimate because they feel safe. That's our place in France. Our home is constantly filled with guests. It's great. Then every year we organize two artist gatherings. It is a time of networking, spiritual input, relaxation and just enjoyment of life and conversation. It is a time for winding down and just "being". It is a possibility for 'sound boarding' one's thoughts, questions, and new ideas to a group of like-minded people. We have short times of input then we discuss the topics on long walks or over fine cuisine. This year the 'input person' will be a pastor/teacher who was formerly a Buddhist monk. It's a very interesting and very encouraging time. For more information on Garold and Lori Anderson, and Watershed Arts, please visit http://watershedarts.com/ Next issue : we speak to Garold and Lori about marriage in ministry and how they cope individually in growing Watershed Arts.
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