J Scott McElroy, author of Finding Divine Inspiration and Creative Church HandbookAuthor

Scott is the author of Creative Church Handbook: Releasing the Power of the Arts in Your Congregation (InterVarsity Press) and Finding Divine Inspiration: Working with the Holy Spirit in Your Creativity (Destiny Image, and the Finding Divine Inspiration Study Guide and Journal (New Renaissance Resources).

His current book project (Releasing October 2024) is How to CARE: Crisis,Trauma Ministry, and Mental Health Ministry with the Arts. Trauma has been called the greatest mission field the church faces. But we’re often not equipped to respond in crisis, disaster, and trauma situations, or mental health challenges. This handbook will empower churches and artists to compassionately respond to traumatic events in our congregations, communities, and the world, with the help of the arts. In these times when words often fail, God has designed the arts to uniquely minister compassion, healing, and restoration. This handbook will offer churches a clear path forward to effective ministry in these troubled times. Releasing October 2024.  See more at: Http://CareArtsMinistry.org

Scott is collaborating with Art Therapist, Jen Alward (LPC, ATRL-BC) on this project.

Scott has a MATM (Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry), Worship, Theology, and the Arts specialization from Fuller Theological Seminar. He holds a Certificate of Trauma Informed Care from Indiana University.

Speaker

Scott speaks and trains nationally on the arts in the church, spiritual formation for the artist, learning to hear God’s voice, awakening the creativity of God that lives in every person, the New Renaissance and more. See his topics HERE. Contact him for a seminar, workshop or speaking engagement at  Scott (at) TheNewR.org

Writer/Editor

Scott writes on the topics of life, creativity, and faith, with articles carried on many websites, including Crosswalk.com, RelevantMagazine.com, and all the websites in the Salem Network. He is editor of CreativeChurchArtsIdeas.org. 

Writing/Editing Services

Scott is thrilled to get to help other writers bring their writing projects to life. From the spark of an idea to finished product, the process of crafting a message that can encourage or inspire others is a privilege and an art form. Learn about Scott’s editing, coaching, and consulting services HERE.  Contact him at Scott (at) TheNewR.org.

Arts Advocate

Scott advocates for the arts in the church, the New Renaissance, and the spiritual journey of artists through speaking, writing, media interaction, and personal meetings. Arts advocacy is also his primary role as founder of The New Renaissance Arts Movement, Arts Team Leader of IVAC at the Indy Vineyard Church, facilitator of the Vineyard Arts Community, and producer of the Creative Church Arts Conferences.

Non-Profit

Scott directs the non-profit New Renaissance Arts Movement, which serves to “Connect and Equip Artists and Churches for Inspired Creativity”. He oversees New Renaissance’s websites: TheNewR.org, CareArtsMinistry.org, CreativeChurchArtsIdeas.org -“Creativity and Arts Ministry in the Local Church”, and the Creative Church Arts Conferences archive, CreativeChurchArts.org

Voiceover Artist

As a voiceover artist, he hosted the Animal Planet TV series, “Wildlife Journal”, weekdays from 2004-2007.  He is heard on national TV commercials, video games, websites and more.

His recordings of mediation scriptures with music (by Marvin Adams)  “Fear-Less“, “Peace-Full “, and  “Courageous” are available HERE.

Visual Artist

Scott works with acrylics while painting live during church services. He prefers watercolors for personal expression, and enjoys physical design projects. He calls himself a “developing artist” in all these mediums.

Creative Career

Scott’s career in radio spanned 28 years and included on-air, promotions, production, and voice work at WCFL-AM 1000 and WLUP (The Loop) AM/FM in Chicago and WENS, WYXB, WNOU and HANK-FM in Indianapolis.

He served as director of production for Emmis Communications flagship WENS/HANK 97.1 FM, WNOU, and WYXB.

For 14 years, he produced and choreographed an annual fireworks-to-music show, “SkyConcert”, simulcast on WTHR 13 (NBC) and WISH TV 8 (CBS) and WENS and HANK-FM and viewed by several hundred thousand people.

As a film critic Scott delivered weekly reviews on radio, TV and in NUVO Newsweekly for several years.

He’s married to Danielle and has a daughter, Hailee and a son, Kaia. They live on a park in Indianapolis with their precocious puppy, Madeline.