Are Christians too Inadequate to Take the Theatre Industry?

And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.

- Deut 28:13

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

- Gal 2:20

To the Arts and Entertainment mountain, I say, "What glory and shine I give you as you express and form culture with your gifting and talent. This is the fullness of My creativity given to the world through you as vessels and instruments. Do not downplay your importance in society, for it is you who shape and breed culture and worldview. I have commissioned your angel to stand watch and call you back to your original purpose -- bringing Me glory and showcasing every facet, tone, texture, and nuance of who I am to mankind. This is the reason for your expression. It’s My goodness and My character," says the Lord. "This is the recovery journey for you to regain what My church gave up when you were at your prime and most important place of development."

- Pastor Nathan Kassas, Associate Pastor of TORCC-NY, Apostle to the Arts

- from TORCC-NY’s Season Casting 2023

I am watching Broadway implode (anyone else see this article?), Hollywood continue to suffer the devastating effects of the writers/SAG-AFTRA strike, and therefore words come to pass that the Lord would bring this about. And why is He bringing it about? So that the believers can be poised to take their place on the mountain of the Arts and Entertainment Industries.

But the big concern in my heart is, are the Christians ready? And I am concerned the answer is no, not at the moment. I think this is for many reasons, but one is their own inadequacy.

Are we looking up at the Industry, wishing and wanting and hoping we can be a part of it? Has admiration of our favorite artists become idolatry? Are our ideas of what our own art can look like coming from the world, or from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit who lives in us?

But the big concern on my heart is, are the Christians ready?

I personally do not believe that we are in a dispensation of raising Christians up to create art that looks like what the secular world is already doing, or even try to reform secular companies. Why invest in visions that were not borne of the Spirit of Christ? The Lord wants to launch HIS visions in HIS people that will bless the Church and the world alike. He has a vision for His people that can only be birthed through the intimacy and relationship we have with Him. Otherwise we are merely learning how to do the same old thing that’s been done already and hasn’t brought about any Godly transformation to the Industry.

But the first step is for His people to believe and know that we know that we know who we are as His own. When we truly know Who it is who lives in us and our true identity in Christ, then we won’t be looking to the world for answers, and we won’t be trying to build upon visions the world has built. Shouldn’t we rather seek Him for His new, Heavenly vision than invest in building up theater companies that aren’t even interested in doing His work, and even seem to be opposing it? We might have something to learn from them, but the truth is that they need what we have more than we need what they have.

Do you believe He can do bigger and better through you than what you see in the world’s top theater and arts companies? If not, WHY NOT? Whatever the answer to that question is - inadequacy, rejection, discouragement, etc. - those are the issues He wants you to bring to Him. He wants to renew YOU before he sends you out to renew an industry.

REGA Arts is a Christian Theatre Company with the mission of training and raising up Christians to have a career in the theatre industry, and creating new works of theater. It is affiliated with Times of Refreshing Christian Center, NY (TORCC-NY) as its spiritual oversight, under the leadership of Dr. Robyn Kassas, Dr. Tony Kassas, and Pastor Nathan Kassas.