Spiritual Life at MasterWorks Festival

Bible Studies

Bible studies are at the heart of the experience. Year after year, Bible studies have been a favorite aspect of the MasterWorks Festival for students and faculty alike. The Bible studies not only serve as a tool for spiritual growth, but also provide ways of getting to know other students and faculty at a deep level. Making MasterWorks unique from other arts festivals, we believe the Gospel is the very power of salvation and want students to find that the God of the Bible is relevant today – even in the artistic culture. Small groups of students and faculty meet Monday through Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:00. Attendance is mandatory for all Festival participants. Students have two Bible Study options:

• The Festival Bible Study: designed for the spiritual growth of the artist, the Festival Bible Study is comprised of small groups of students, facilitated by one or two MasterWorks faculty members. Facilitators encourage students to participate in leading some of the lessons. Study materials are geared specifically toward biblical issues relating to artists. We recommend this track especially for first year students.

• The MasterWorks Movement Training Program: designed and offered for students who want to start a MasterWorks Movement at their own academic or professional artistic organizations. Participants will have their own separate Bible study curriculum, and will substitute a few small group meetings with practical large group seminars. Training will include seminars on planning MasterWorks Movements, leading small group discussions, evangelism in the arts, developing good Bible studies skills and more. It is our mission to effectively train, equip, send out and maintain relationship with artists who will influence others in their educational and professional arts institutions with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Students must apply for this program. We are looking for students who are serious about making a difference in the arts world.

Faculty Devotionals

Faculty devotionals are presented Monday through Saturday during the second half of the lunch hour. The world-class faculty and guest artists of the MasterWorks Festival spend half an hour sharing a devotional, testimony or scripture reading. Topics for devotionals range from personal testimonies to the challenges of being a Christian in the secular arts world.

Daily Quiet Time

Every day after lunch, 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM is set aside for campus-wide "quiet time". For those not acquainted with this practice, it is a time for all participants (both students and faculty) to be quiet before God. Faculty and students often pray, meditate, read scripture or have a combination of these practices. Should faculty or students choose to have a quiet time at another point during the day, they are expected to respect their colleagues by leaving this time slot free of practicing, rehearsing or social activities and to maintain a quiet setting for others to make use of this opportunity for personal reflection.

Sunday Worship

Sunday services at the MasterWorks Festival are times of campus-wide worship and sharing in the Word of God. Bringing together the talents of each artistic program, no specific denominational liturgy is followed. The focus of these services is to glorify God through the reading and preaching of His Word, the singing of songs and hymns and worshipful presentations of artistic offerings by faculty and/or students. Attendance is required at Sunday morning services.

Evening Worship

Optional worship services are offered several times each week after evening Bible studies. These informal gatherings focus on praise and worship, and students and faculty are encouraged to bring instruments to play, as well as to sing and dance to the glory of the Lord.

Morning Prayer

Morning prayer meetings give students and faculty another opportunity for fellowship through prayer. For half an hour before breakfast, faculty and students meet for a time of prayer and intercession. This is a time to lift up personal petitions as well as prayer for the efficacy of the festival. This activity is optional.