BOOK REVIEW
“CHURCH PEWS, POTLUCKS AND A TANK OF GAS – A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR THE INDEPENDENT
CHRISTIAN ARTIST” BY CHUCK NEIGHBORS | Review by Mel Doppler
Chuck Neighbors is an actor and writer. For
over 45 years, he has toured throughout
North America as well as to 18 countries on
6 continents. His most popular show, a oneman
dramatic adaptation of Charles Sheldon’s
classic “In His Steps”, has been featured on
radio and television and performed before
thousands of audiences. Chuck is a husband,
father and grandfather and lives in Salem,
Oregon with his wife, Lorie. For information on
bookings, shows, and to purchase this and
other books published by Chuck Neighbors
please visit mastersimage.com. You can also
find Chuck’s books on Amazon.com.
Let’s face it. Being an artist – any artist, in
any context – is hard. Being an independent
artist is really hard. But being an independent
Christian artist may hardest of all. Regardless
of your medium or format, whether fine arts,
music, performance of any kind (dance, drama,
spoken word), it is tough to follow your passion
and make a living pursuing it. If your art is what
you eat, live and breathe then you have a calling
and this book is for you.
Chuck Neighbors opens the green room door
and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what
it’s like to not only to pursue art as a Christian
but how to make a living as an independent
Christian artist. His many years of experience
and hard learned lessons are generously
shared from a desire to help you succeed in
following your calling and using your God-given
gifts to minister to others. Chuck’s intent is to
equip you with the practical tools he had to
learn the hard way so that you can stand on his
shoulders and flourish as an artist.
When you consider Chuck’s career spans an
impressive 45 years, you realize he has to be
doing something (or things) right. Sure, he must
be talented to be able to support his family as
an actor and performer, especially given his
intentionally targeted audience which is the
church. But anyone who has tried to make a
living as an independent artist in any context
will appreciate it takes, tenacity, resilience,
intelligence and a whole lot of hard work to
achieve that level of success.
Chuck takes a long hard look at practical
and important basics that can set a strong
foundation for a lasting and financially viable
career pursuing your calling as an artist. As
you may have already discovered, talent,
connections and opportunities are not enough
to build a sustainable and successful career.
It requires work – unglamorous, tedious and
necessary work like booking shows, arranging
travel and bookkeeping.
“Reality check: to make a living
in the arts requires a calling.”
He addresses fundamental questions like how
to choose which name you should perform
under, or have your ministry under, the best
structure to operate your ministry from and how
to establish yourself as unique or a standout.
He also addresses that age-old dilemma of
promoting yourself as an artist when you are
called to ministry.
A large portion of this book is dedicated to
things most people won’t tell you about.
Like how much to charge, how to effectively
negotiate your rate, how to close the deal and
build long lasting relationships with decision
makers and audiences who will invite you back
again and again. Chuck also gives excellent
insights into diversifying your income without
straying too far from your art or calling.
If you have ever been a touring artist of any
kind, you will understand some of the unique
challenges that present themselves such
as being away from family for long periods
of time, not being planted in a local church
due to your travel schedule and the lack of
accountability while you are on the road.
These are issues Chuck has grappled with
and he gives wise counsel on managing your
time, and suggestions that will help you build
systems into your life to keep you balanced
and connected to others who can help you stay
healthy emotionally and spiritually.
In the Chapter entitled “Redeeming
Entertainment”, Chuck tackles head on
the stigma that can be attached to being
an “entertainer” as a Christian artist. His
perspective is refreshing and liberating. He
reframes the need for the arts in the Church,
the benefits of entertainment, art for arts sake
and the underlying purpose and pursuit of
ministering to others through entertainment.
If you have ever struggled to justify your art,
to yourself or to others, then you will find this
chapter balm to your soul.
If you are thinking of pursuing your art as a fulltime
career, and especially as a ministry, then
do yourself a favor and buy this book. For a
small investment, you will reap a large return.
Honestly, some of the lessons contained in this
book could save you lots of heartache and a
load of money. Thanks, Chuck, for the paving
the way and sharing your wisdom with those
who are following in your footsteps.
Melissa Doppler
Graduate of Hillsong College, worshiper, avid
reader, leadership junkie, and writer with a passion
to help others discover their God-given purpose.
Check out her blog.
MelissaDoppler.com
July 2020
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