Soul Dreamer Resources

The youth ministry resource Interlinc presents a free digital copy of its Fall “Youth Leaders Only” Music Resource Book. Interlinc is a resource that uses contemporary Christian songs and videos as starting-points for Bible lessons. The book has a variety of resources for youth leaders including Bible studies, articles, lesson plans and thematic listings of songs that can be used to teach lessons to students.

Read the Fall issue at: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/interlinc/ylo_200908

Learn more about Interlinc at their website: http://interlinc-online.com

Soul Dreamer Ponderings are questions that relate to career and calling for all types of dreamers. The questions might be posed in future Soul Dreamer Interviews as well. Feel free to leave a comment on your thoughts to these ponderings:

Author C.S. Lewis once made a statement that (paraphrase) “We don’t need more Christian writers. We need more great writers who are Christian.” Do you agree or disagree? Does it depend on the particular artist and calling?

Is there or should there be a difference between a Christian artist (writer, musician, filmmaker, etc.) and an artist who is a Christian – can both of them bring glory to God through their work and reach the world, even if one does it through “Christian-themed” art and the other indirectly?

In an upcoming Soul Dreamer Interview, a visual artist will give his view on these ponderings…

“Struggles of a Christian Artist: How to nurture your artistic soul” by Gary Nauman is a great article from Intervarsity Student Soul that talks about different ways to exercise and embrace the purpose of your artistic ability:

If you are an artist and a Christian, the odds are pretty high that you will be asked to make a poster for your church. (Okay, pass the tagboard and tempera powder!) When this happens to me, I find myself wishing that there were more ways for the church to use my artistic skills to bring God glory. Nonetheless, there are ways to find encouragement, inspiration and expression for your artist’s heart.

I am a Christian and an artist, and I care deeply about the contributions that we artists can make to the body of Christ. As Christians, our purpose — our “chief end” — is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. From our experiences as artists, we know that God has made us creative people who like to communicate and express ourselves visually. How can we bring glory to God through our artistic skills? And where do we find encouragement as Christian artists…

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Take time to reflect
• So where can you find encouragement and growth as a Christian artist?
• Do your art — and pursue what God has called you to pursue.
• Find a community that is committed to making art.
• Consider where you are in history and who God has made you to be. What does it mean to be a Christian and an artist in these times?
• In what ways are empathy, play, story, and the search for meaning part of your artistic make-up?
• What are you uniquely qualified to communicate?

Read the full article at Intervarsity.com.

Dream in Soul interviewed Gospel Comedienne Tranea Prosser, also known as Miz T who shared how she discovered her passion to make others laugh and turned it into her ministry.

In the two part interview she answers some of the following questions:

What would you say to those people who might not think humor belongs in church?

How can someone know how they are to use their gifts for God? What advice do you have for young people who want to venture into a unique ministry field but are afraid to take the jump, or feel pressured to go into a more “traditional” field?

Click below for Part 1 and Part 2 of the interview:

Comedy for the Soul: Q&A with Comedienne Miz T, Part 1

Miz T is bringing healing to hearts with a dose of humor…

Tranea Prosser, otherwise known as Miz T, discovered that her natural ability to make others laugh could be her key to reaching hearts for God. The native of Austin, TX, who is also a singer and worship leader at her church, says that her original comedy material is rated “I” for the innocent. Her comical content ranges from stories within the church to musical skits. Miz T recently released her debut comedy CD, “Back at ‘Ya, Lord!”, and is bringing her hilarious message to churches and other venues, with the goal of tickling and touching souls one joke at a time. Here’s what Miz T had to say to DreaminSoul.com about how she got started in her ministry, and how she’s living out her God-given dream…

Lessons On Laughter: Part 2 of Q&A with Miz T – Gospel Comedienne

In part two Miz T gives some wisdom on supporting one another in ministry, advice for young people, and tips on embracing one’s unique calling….

Dream in Soul interviewed Dr. Naima Johnston Christian singer and author of “Called To Sing: 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting Out In Music Ministry.” She is a licensed minister of the gospel through the International City of Refuge Christian Ministries, and holds a PhD in Education from The Ohio State University. As an educator Dr. Johnston empowers people to accomplish their destiny and discover their purpose through seminars, workshops, life coaching, conferences and training programs that she designs.

In the two part interview Dr. Johnston answered some of the following questions:

What is the best advice you would give to young or beginning music artists?

How should Christian artists regard their craft, and how do they stay focused on the task of ministry vs. industry?

Click below to read Part 1 and Part 2 of the interview:

Called to Sing: Interview with Author and Singer Dr. Naima Johnston, Part 1

Dr. Naima Johnston shares how she overcame many obstacles to respond to her call to sing. Her new book Called To Sing: 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting In Music Ministry addresses issues that many artists fail to recognize as potential problems that can stunt the growth of their ministries.

Attempted suicide at 14. Sexually assaulted as a teenager. Told she wasn’t good enough to sing at 18. Struggled with eating disorders in college. Abused by live in boyfriend at 22. Saved by grace at 24. Broken-hearted and desolate at 30.

These are some of the tribulations that Dr. Naima Johnston faced throughout her life. In her early 30s, after she left her position as the Associate Director of Student Life at Wright State University to pursue a career in Christian music, she found herself confused, financially bankrupt, emotionally drained, and doubting the calling of God.

After a serious year of reflection, soul searching and surrender, Dr. Johnston decided to rebuild her ministry with great enthusiasm and faith. Today she is a full-time minister and recording artist, and is free by the love of Christ. She shares her experiences in her book Called To Sing: 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting In Music Ministry. Geared towards independent Christian artists and those contemplating a career in Christian music, this book addresses issues that many artists fail to recognize as potential problems that can stunt the growth and development of their ministries.

As a minister, Christian recording artist and the CEO of Broken Box Ministries, Dr. Johnston uses her extensive personal experience as a “failure” to assist others who are building a music ministry. Here’s what she had to share with Dream in Soul and aspiring artists about following your call to sing…

Growing into Your Calling: Part 2 of Interview with Dr. Naima Johnston

In Part 1 of the interview, Dr. Naima Johnston introduced herself and her passion to share her past mistakes in ministry to help aspiring artists. In Part 2 she shares how she overcame many obstacles to respond to her call to sing, and gives even more advice on finding your calling. Her new book Called To Sing: 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting In Music Ministry addresses issues that many artists fail to recognize as potential problems that can stunt the growth of their ministries. If you missed it click here to read Part 1 of the interview.

Dream in Soul: How do you think someone knows what their ministry calling is? How do you know if you are called to sing?

Dr. Johnston: I think that we have to pursue our healthy passion. What’s that thing that you’ve always wanted to do? What’s that problem you’ve always wanted to fix? What’s that thing that’s a burden to your soul? I think you take that and begin to pursue that passion or try to fix that problem, or work to relieve that burden.

Sometimes I think we make the call of God so deep and difficult. Like it’s this elusive thing we can’t seem to get a grip on. But I think deep down most of us know what we’re called to do, it’s implanted in us before we are born. We just need to know how the Lord would have us to live out that call. Some folks have a true burden for missions work, then it gets specific, to a particular country and they go. Some people wind up living their entire life on the mission field, some go once a year. Some folks are called to full time music ministry to travel and share with others, some are called to stay in the local church and lead worship.

Prayer… lots of prayer about the thing that you are most passionate about and then start walking in that. I truly believe if you go forward with a sincere heart and an open ear, God will correct if you’re off course.

DS: How should Christian artists regard their craft, and how do they stay focused on the task of ministry vs. industry?