what we believe

 

Inspire Creative Company  is a collective of artists from across denominations seeking to grow together in community in order to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the production of creative works.  We work in collaboration with our brothers and sisters in Christ, adhering to Biblical principles for our Core Values, Theology,  and Code of Conduct. 

Inspire Creative Company is not affiliated with a specific church or denomination.  We work in close partnership with many local churches, but we are our own non-profit organization.  We value and appreciate members from many different branches of Christianity.  We adhere to the Apostles' Creed for our beliefs:  

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, 

Maker of heaven and earth.  

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, 

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, 

born of the virgin Mary, 

suffered under Pontius Pilate, 

was crucified, died and was buried.  He descended into hell.  

The third day He rose again from the dead.  

He ascended into heaven and sits 

at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.  

From thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.  

  

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, 

the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body, 

and the life everlasting.  Amen.

Core Values

1.  Following Jesus.  As Christians, we submit to Christ as the final authority over our lives.  Christ is the head of the Church, and we are the body of Christ.  

  • “And he (Christ) is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” (Col 1:18)  

  • “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Cor. 12:27) 

 

2.   Artists matter.  Inspire is a refuge for artists.  It takes a brave vulnerability for artists to create and share their art with others.  The gifts of art and music are a powerful language and gifts from the Holy Spirit that can cross cultural and political barriers to speak the gospel of Jesus.  We value the individuals who speak these languages and aim to invest in them as people over product.  Practically speaking, this means meeting people where they are and giving them resources to grow in their faith and their artistic skill sets.   We aim to give to artists, not take from them.

  • (Exodus Chapters 35-39) Bezalel and Oholiab were “filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom and understanding and knowledge to make artistic designs” and “the ability to teach others” these skills. 
  • King David was a songwriter and musician, writing the book of Psalms, which are worship songs!  He was called a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14)

 

    3.  Conduct matters.  We promote a healthy community with the understanding that we are a work in progress.  We do not expect perfection.  Come as you are, and be open to allow Christ to move and create positive change in your heart.  We simply encourage each person to be yourself and submit to Christ in all things.  The way we treat each other matters!  Our works cannot save us, only Jesus can do that.  But we aim to please the Lord in the way we conduct ourselves out of love and thanksgiving for the grace we freely receive in Jesus.  We aim to conduct ourselves according to the Inspire Creative Company Code of Conduct. 

    • “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not by works, so that no one may boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8)  
    • “What shall we say, then?  Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means!  We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”  (Romans 6:1-2)

     

    4.  Artists in community.  As artists, we are often tempted to try to go it alone when we feel challenged or misunderstood.  It is not good to be alone!  We need each other as the body of Christ.   

    • “Now the body is not made up of one part, but many.  If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the Body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be a part of the body.  And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason cease to be a part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? And if the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?  But in fact God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.  If they were all one part, where would the body be?”  (1 Cor. 12:14-20)  

     

    5.  Creative overflow.  Our creative output is a result of our time spent in community with Jesus and other artists.  When we take time to be filled with the Word of God in community with other artists, we can pour into creative works.  As this creativity flows out of us, it can overflow into our community to spread the Gospel of Jesus through our creative works.  

    • “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)

     

    6.  We love local.  The artistic stories of our neighbors can impact our community in a unique and powerful way for Christ.  Loving and investing in our neighbors is our priority.  We do this by providing opportunities for artists to connect with their community for Christ using their artistic talents and abilities. 

    • “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge in the flesh; rather serve one another humbly in love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “ (Galatians 5:13-14)