ffm 2007

Self-consciously straddling the gap between the Christian subculture and the broader secular world, Relevant Magazine both reflects and shapes young evangelicals' struggles to find their place in a postmodern pluralistic society. But what exactly is Relevant's strategy for "engaging culture", and how does it truly differ from what came before? What are the real driving forces behind its theological, political, and "progressive" cultural agendas? In this workshop, I'll use my in-depth critical study of the magazine and its parent company Relevant Media Group as an entry point towards discussing our current environment of generationally-based target marketing, commodified dissent, corporate-funded fake-indie record labels, ironic t-shirts, rebel rocker-activists, and Christianity's changing relationship with the culture industry.

Individuals involved with publishing on the topic of music will discuss the various big questions that arise in their work: how does one decide if something is "good"? What is the responsibility of the critic in different cultural contexts? What does it look like to do criticism well?

Liz Janes has been a part of the Asthmatic Kitty record label from the start, and has been front and center in watching it grow. Liz is married to Michael Kaufmann, who from a home office, assists in the development and management of the label. So as both an artist on the label, and one with a clear view of its internal workings, Liz has a lot to say about how the label is run. This is not a Christian label, but one can easily point to Gospel principles within its practice. In this workshop Liz will address her ideas about "Christianity" and "The role of the record label" by sharing the story of her own growth as an artist and the role that Asthmatic Kitty has played in that story. The floor will also greatly be open for questions and discussion.

Lenny Smith: There is an "alternate world" all around us: a world of wondrous joy and abiding peace and infinite supply. In this world, right here now, forgiveness is commonplace and love and kindness are continual, everyday events. Generosity always leads to increase and no one really wants to claim ownership of anything at all in this "fourth dimension." Sharing is everyone's preoccupation and creating is everyone's delight. There is a Presence, a Protector, a Provider, taking care of everyone, helping and encouraging, and always turning everything for good, without exception! Even the animals know about this place. The birds sing about it, the trees wave their limbs and the winds blow around and the waves roll-up on the beaches, celebrating the beauty and loveliness of this garden in which we live. There is a problem, though. Only the small children, and not even all of them, know about this happy world and can actually see it. And once they reach a certain age, something changes in their eyesight and minds and they cannot see it any longer and all too soon forget about this present garden. I believe there is a way to regain our sight and see again this "other realm," but, even among Christians, only one in a hundred finds The Way. But still the loveliness continues forever all around us.

Jan Krist: As writers and musicians we have learned the skills and acquired the tools needed to execute and perhaps even perfect our craft. The problem is, no matter how great a craftsperson you become, a well-crafted piece is not always a work of art. So what separates a finely crafted song from an artfully written one? What separates a good story from a great novel? At the heart of great art, music and writing are elements that transcend the ordinary and speak to us on a deeper level. "Stealing the Heart of Art" will explore the lives, work and philosophies shared by artists, writers and songwriters from Flannery O'Connor to Picasso to Randy Newman.