A Call For The Recovery Of Visual Arts In Reformed Worship

The Presbyterian Directory of Worship provides authority and guidance for artists and liturgists who desire to proclaim the gospel through various art forms. This article describes this document and imagines new possibilities for the role of the arts in Reformed worship. There has never been a time when the arts have not been present in the development and language of human expressions of faith in the Presbyterian church. The Directory for Worship suggests possibilities for worship, invites development in worship, and encourages continuing reform of worship. Incorporating all the arts in worship as a form of proclamation and prayer is clearly lifted up throughout the Directory for Worship. Possibilities In the Christian tradition, the arts have always been essential. Today there is no corporate act of worship by any group of Christians that does not appropriate some aspect of the arts to enact and proclaim its praise and prayer. In the processional or recessionals, the choir direc…