Being Salt: EP2 Fathering Artists: The Vulnerability and Affirmation of Creative Expression

KC and Tehillah share an inspiring conversation about the role of fatherhood in the artistic journey, specifically in dance. They explore the importance of receiving affirmation from God, the vulnerability of the creative process, and how artists, particularly dancers, can find their identity and strength in God's love rather than external validation.

Summary of Talking Points:

• The Vulnerability of Dance: Dance is more than just physical movement; it embodies the cognitive, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the person. The intimacy of dance is a powerful, vulnerable expression that transcends other art forms.

• Father's Affirmation: God's affirmation is essential for artists to thrive. It gives confidence, freedom, and authenticity to the creative process. Artists, including dancers, should seek affirmation from God rather than external sources.

• Creating from a Place of Rest: The importance of taking time to rest and recalibrate with God. When artists reconnect with the Father, their work flows more freely and authentically.

• The Need for Disciple-Making in the Arts: Artists need community and discipleship. As dancers and creatives face challenges in their art, a deeper relationship with God can bring healing, strength, and purpose.

• A Blessing for Artists: KC prays over dancers and creatives, asking for healing, courage, and clarity in their artistic journeys, and for God's beauty to shine through their work.

• Full Transcript

  Speaker 1 (KC):
  Yeah, so my name is Casey Clark. I’m from North Carolina—originally Charlotte, but recently my family and I moved to a really small town just north of Charlotte. We’re living a small and slow life, and it’s been a really beautiful thing. I have a long history in the arts. I grew up in the church singing, but I was never without a drawing utensil in my hand. So, art and singing have always been part of my life, and there's a little bit of history of dance, which you probably didn’t know about. I’ve always been involved in the arts. When I was in high school, I knew academics were not my thing, and liberal arts weren’t my thing either. I knew I was going into art. So, I went to art school, graduated, and spent most of my post-college years as a full-time artist. Then in 2006, I made a big shift and accepted a position as a worship pastor, which is where my identity as an artist really started to take shape. I wouldn’t have called it that at the time, but I can see now that that was when God began to point me toward a trajectory that involved creativity, no matter how it was expressed. My wife and I are in that journey together.

  Speaker 2 (Tehillah):
  Wow, I didn’t know a lot of that! Now I’m curious about your dance background—tell me more!

  Speaker 1 (KC):
  Well, I was always moving. I loved it. We were always in church plays, and there was some dance involved. But really, it all kicked in when breakdancing hit the scene. I was all in! I wasn’t great at it, but I just couldn’t help it. Around my freshman year, breakdancing was big. By the time I got into high school, I started hanging out with some guys who were getting mentored by this senior, who was an excellent dancer. We all started going to clubs together, dancing, and eventually, the school asked us to do a routine at the basketball game. We practiced and did that for a while. But I never wanted to be out front in the dancing; I just liked being part of the crew. That was my thing. I love dancing, but I never really wanted to be the center of attention in it.

  Speaker 2 (Tehillah):
  Oh my gosh, I had no idea! That's so fun! I love that. And it’s really great to hear, especially since you’re always talking about watching dance and having these powerful worship experiences in your later years. But I had no idea there was actual dance in your background. That’s so cool.

  So, now, shifting a bit, can you share with us how you would describe dance as being different from other art forms? There’s the obvious difference—dance being a physical medium that works with the body—but beyond that, how has God spoken to you through dance differently than through songwriting, singing, or other art forms?

  Speaker 1 (KC):
  I feel like dance is the full embodiment of so many things—cognitive, emotive, physical, spiritual, and emotional. It’s like an amalgamation of all those things in action. When I see dance, it’s not just movement. It’s intentional, and there’s something beautiful about watching someone move spontaneously, even if they’ve put in the work beforehand. There’s this nuance that’s hard to describe—when someone has truly worked on their craft, their spontaneous movements are filled with a depth that goes beyond just dancing. It’s like the dance captures ideas and emotions in a way that is embodied—thoughts, feelings, and spirit expressed all at once.

  I remember we talked about how dance is like sculpting the air—how it slices through history. When the Messiah came, it was this moment that split time, and dance in worship can feel like that. It's more than just a routine; it’s a moment captured.

  For me personally, dance represents the full expression of an idea. It’s the highest expression of vulnerability because when someone is dancing, especially in worship, there’s no veil. They are completely exposed in their expression. It’s intimate, vulnerable, and powerful. And for me, that’s something I hadn’t always understood until I began seeing dance in worship.

  Speaker 2 (Tehillah):
  I love that, especially when you talked about it being the full embodiment of all these things. It makes so much sense. When I think about dance in worship, it’s not just movement—it’s a deep response to God. There’s this intimacy in it that can make us feel uncomfortable at times, but it’s that same vulnerability that makes it so powerful.

  As dancers, we’re often looking for validation or a place where we can be seen and accepted for who we are, but many times that acceptance isn’t there. We may feel uncomfortable, even rejected. So, how do you feel about the way the church sees dance? How can we as dancers find that affirmation we need from God and still walk in our calling?

  Speaker 1 (KC):
  I think the first thing is, dance, just like any art, is vulnerable. We have to face the reality that people will react differently to our work, whether it’s in dance or any other medium. What I’ve come to realize is that the most important affirmation comes from God. If I am seeking affirmation from God, I don’t need to seek it from others.

  It’s easy to get caught up in wanting recognition, but it’s so important to first receive affirmation from the Father. And that affirmation is rooted in His love for us, not our performance. That’s the foundation for everything we do. When we get that right, we stop needing to prove ourselves, and we can just create.

  God has given us these gifts, and we need to come to Him first. If we’re not affirmed by Him, then we’re going to start looking for it in other places. As dancers, as creatives, we need to let God affirm us before anyone else does. That’s where our true identity comes from.

  Speaker 2 (Tehillah):
  That’s such a good word. It reminds me of David, when he danced in the streets, and Michael ridiculed him. But God was pleased with David because he was responding in joy. Dance is this incredibly intimate act of worship, and we should always bring it to the Father first. We don’t need to worry about the validation of others.

  Speaker 1 (KC):
  Exactly. And I think when we start looking for external validation, we lose sight of what’s truly important—our relationship with God and creating for Him. Whether it’s dance, music, or any art form, our gifts are meant to be offered to God first. That’s where the intimacy is developed. If we do it out of a place of striving, we will miss that depth of connection.

  Speaker 2 (Tehillah):
  Absolutely. I think it’s crucial to always come back to the Father’s love and affirmation. When we dance or create from that place, everything changes. There’s so much more peace and freedom in our work. And that’s where the power of art lies.

  Speaker 1 (KC):
  Exactly. And when we have that grounding in God’s love, we can’t help but create in a way that honors Him. We don’t have to strive for approval, because we’ve already been validated by Him.

  Speaker 2 (Tehillah):
  I love this. I think this conversation is something dancers, creatives, and anyone pursuing art need to hear. Thanks so much, Casey.

  Speaker 1 (KC):
  Thank you. And let’s just keep encouraging each other to do our craft with God, knowing that we are His beloved. It’s from that place that all good things flow.