Executive Director

Brian Brown is the founder and executive director of the Anselm Society, a Colorado-based organization dedicated to a renaissance of the Christian imagination.

In the course of his career, he has worked as an executive and brand strategist for dozens of mission-driven organizations, helping them translate their vision externally (to reach the right audience effectively) and internally (to build a strong organizational culture). Learn more.

Brian is the co-editor of Why We Create: Reflections on the Creator, the Creation, and Creating (Square Halo Books, 2023), and a contributing author to several scholarly works including Why Place Matters (ed. Wilfred McClay) and Faithful Creativity (forthcoming, ed. Matthew Niermann). His writing, teaching, and podcasting focuses on equipping Christians to see, live, and work like people of heaven.

Brian lives in Colorado Springs with his wife Christina and two children, where they enjoy singing, gardening, and less impressive-sounding activities. They have been tolerated graciously for over 15 years by Holy Trinity Anglican Church.

To contact Brian or send a speaking, interview, or writing invitation:

 

Content

Clips

Why our imaginations are redeemed

How can we see our story as part of the Great Story?

This is why you're not sure if you matter to God

 
Articles
How to Love the World
How to Love the World

You heard you’re not supposed to love the world. You heard wrong.

You're Not a Writer
You're Not a Writer

You’re too busy, too tired, and too distracted. But that doesn’t need to be the end of the story.

How to Live Like a Narnian
How to Live Like a Narnian

A threefold theology of how to fix our relationship with material reality.

Anselm Appears on "The Habit" Podcast
Anselm Appears on "The Habit" Podcast

The Anselm Society’s executive director, Brian Brown, was a guest on The Habit Podcast with Jonathan Rogers, to discuss how our creativity relates to God’s.

When Christmas Feels Empty
When Christmas Feels Empty

Places, like people, only realize their potential when they are loved.

Interview: Anselm Society Founder Brian Brown Talks about Why We Create
Interview: Anselm Society Founder Brian Brown Talks about Why We Create

“I didn’t just want examples, I wanted explanations.”

Upstream Podcast Interviews Brian Brown
Upstream Podcast Interviews Brian Brown

Shane Morris interviewed Anselm director Brian Brown on beauty in the home, hospitality, and the vision of Anselm.

Series Introduction: The Centric Genius
Series Introduction: The Centric Genius

A vision for a new kind of Christian artist.

The Home Altar
The Home Altar

Why something large and churchy sits in my living room. (Courtesy Cultivating Oaks Press)

The Redeemed Imagination and the Problem of "Safe" Art
The Redeemed Imagination and the Problem of "Safe" Art

An interview in the Circe Institute’s Forma Journal.

What is the Place of Art in the Church?
What is the Place of Art in the Church?

Four crucial pillars for reuniting faith and art.

Art and the Shaping of God's People
Art and the Shaping of God's People

Explaining the Anselm Society’s interest in forming artists. (In Cultivating Oaks Press)

Heroes Sing On in the Face of Dragons
Heroes Sing On in the Face of Dragons

Anselm director Brian Brown recently wrote a letter to the Anselm leadership team, which he gave permission to the Cultivating Project to publish.

Interview with Director Brian Brown
Interview with Director Brian Brown

Read about the vision for the Anselm Society, why we didn't pick an easier name, the role of artists in a church, and what Firefly can teach us about community.

Courses and Lectures (Members Only)
Webinar: Writing and the Problem of Christianity
May 16
Webinar: Writing and the Problem of Christianity

In this webinar, Anselm director Brian Brown draws from Sayers and Pieper to cast a renewed vision for both your identity and your creative process.

Course: How to See Like a Saint
Jun 22
Course: How to See Like a Saint

A five-part class by Brian Brown on what the saints have to offer our Christian imaginations.

The Great Time War
Sep 24
The Great Time War

Matt Mellema, Michelle Drake, and Brian Brown.

Q&A: All About Anselm
Sep 27
Q&A: All About Anselm

An interactive Q&A with Brian Brown and Jane Scharl.

The Great Story: Mining the Hidden Riches of the Gospel
Sep 25
The Great Story: Mining the Hidden Riches of the Gospel

Brian Brown’s opening lecture from Imagination Redeemed 2021.

Patronizing the Arts
Apr 29
Patronizing the Arts

Brian Brown’s opening remarks from Imagination Redeemed 2017.

Podcasts
Living the Life of the World to Come
Living the Life of the World to Come

Brian joins Michael Minkoff of Renew the Arts for a conversation about Taylor Swift. Oh, and how imagination and art empower us to live like people of heaven.

How to Live Like a Narnian
How to Live Like a Narnian

A threefold theology of how to fix our relationship with material reality.

Anselm Appears on "The Habit" Podcast
Anselm Appears on "The Habit" Podcast

The Anselm Society’s executive director, Brian Brown, was a guest on The Habit Podcast with Jonathan Rogers, to discuss how our creativity relates to God’s.

How Gardens Teach Us to Cultivate (with Christina Brown and Amy Lee) (S3 E18)
How Gardens Teach Us to Cultivate (with Christina Brown and Amy Lee) (S3 E18)

Christina Brown and Amy Lee share about the art of gardening and God's story.

Upstream Podcast Interviews Brian Brown
Upstream Podcast Interviews Brian Brown

Shane Morris interviewed Anselm director Brian Brown on beauty in the home, hospitality, and the vision of Anselm.

Inviting Artists into Church (S2 E6)
Inviting Artists into Church (S2 E6)

What happened when Pastor Kevin Boaz invited a member of his congregation (Amy Lee) to read an original story on Sunday morning.

Jonathan Pageau: Creating for Others (S2 E5)
Jonathan Pageau: Creating for Others (S2 E5)

With iconographer Jonathan Pageau: how can we be people who are defined by seeking magic and meaning even in tough times? How can we build creative practices and communal rhythms that foster such a perspective?

Lancia Smith: Cultivating Centric Artists (S2 E4)
Lancia Smith: Cultivating Centric Artists (S2 E4)

In our continuing series discussing the unique call of the Christian artist ("centric genius"), Brian interviews Lancia Smith about her work with The Cultivating Project.

John Skillen: Who Makes the Art Work? (S2 E3)
John Skillen: Who Makes the Art Work? (S2 E3)

John Skillen talks about the ways in which the church used to create art together...and just maybe, how it can do so again.

Discussion: The Centric Genius, Part 2 (S2 E2)
Discussion: The Centric Genius, Part 2 (S2 E2)

Do artists have to give up being “weirdos?”

Discussion: The Centric Genius, Part 1 (S2 E1)
Discussion: The Centric Genius, Part 1 (S2 E1)

In which Brian, Heidi, and Lancia summarize the concept of the "centric genius" and discuss its implications for both artists and churches.

Series Introduction: The Centric Genius
Series Introduction: The Centric Genius

A vision for a new kind of Christian artist.

Father Christmas (S1 E11)
Father Christmas (S1 E11)

Does Father Christmas belong in Narnia? Brian picks a fight, we continue Lewis and Tolkien's debate, and along the way, we hit on how to portray morality in literature, and even the true meaning of Christmas gifts.

Food & Art (S1 E10)
Food & Art (S1 E10)

After a trip to France ruins Heidi for normal life, the group discusses food, art, and why hospitality has always played a central role in Anselm Society gatherings.

Josh Bales: Mental Health and Church
Josh Bales: Mental Health and Church

Therapist, songwriter, and priest Josh Bales thinks Christians can get to a healthier place when it comes to bringing together mental health, faith, and science.

Lancia Smith: Loving your Audience, Serving the Work
Lancia Smith: Loving your Audience, Serving the Work

In this lecture from Anselm's 2019 Rocky Mountain Artists' Retreat, Lancia Smith explores the relationship between being true to your calling, and loving your audience--and reveals how relationships can strengthen our calling.

Jeromie Rand: How to Integrate Faith and Craft
Jeromie Rand: How to Integrate Faith and Craft

Father Jeromie Rand from Denver's Church of the Advent explores how learning how to love God through your craft can unleash the full potential of who you were made to be.

The Eternal Identity
The Eternal Identity

Fresh off the 2019 Rocky Mountain Artists' Retreat, we pick up some threads from the retreat: is "artist" something you'll be for eternity? Should you look inward or outward as you seek to answer the question, "who am I?" And what does it mean for God to redeem and perfect your creative work?

Artists and Pastors: Secret Kindred Spirits?
Artists and Pastors: Secret Kindred Spirits?

Many of the things which make the church unhealthy for artists are equally applicable to pastors. In this episode, we explore the gulf that often separates pastors and artists...and wonder if it's not nearly as wide as one might think.

Amber Salladin: The Singing Community
Amber Salladin: The Singing Community

At Imagination Redeemed 2019, Amber Salladin led this breakout group in an interactive and song-filled exploration of the singing community.

Junius Johnson: Creating in the Ruins
Junius Johnson: Creating in the Ruins

Junius Johnson speaks on the "sacred theater" of art for the fallen world.

John Skillen: Art and Christian Community
John Skillen: Art and Christian Community

John Skillen speaks on the historical role of art in shaping Christian communities.

Hans Boersma: Reenchanting the Universe
Hans Boersma: Reenchanting the Universe

At the Imagination Redeemed 2019 conference, Hans Boersma gave this lecture on the Psalms and worship.

5 Steps to an Artist-Friendly Church
5 Steps to an Artist-Friendly Church

S1 E7: How does a congregation become a place known for its hospitality to artists—and make art an integral part of the life of the church?

What Do You Think of Redeemed Imagination Podcast?
What Do You Think of Redeemed Imagination Podcast?

Have you enjoyed listening to Redeemed Imagination as much as we’ve enjoyed crafting it?

Please take a moment to share your thoughts on the Redeemed Imagination podcast with us:

Panel: Bringing Art Back into Church
Panel: Bringing Art Back into Church

S1 E6: Hans Boersma, John Skillen, Junius Johnson, and Brian Brown discuss sacred art and how to bring it back into our places of worship.

Art vs. Sermons
Art vs. Sermons

S1 E5: What is the role of art in spiritual formation? What does it look like to form Christians? Maybe the pastor and his sermons don't have to be quite so alone in that task.

Is Beauty Necessary?
Is Beauty Necessary?

S1 E4: Does beauty matter? If you're listening to this podcast, you probably think the answer is obvious. But would you go so far as to say it is essential to Christianity? Is it, in fact, impossible to do Christianity well without it? In this episode, we argue exactly that.

Are You A Secular Christian?
Are You A Secular Christian?

S1 E3: What is a Christian imagination? Is it the same thing as a Christian worldview? In this episode, we explore how it is possible to be a practicing Christian yet still see the world through mostly secular eyes--and imagine what it would be like if a renaissance of the Christian imagination actually took place.

Mythbusting the Imagination
Mythbusting the Imagination

S1 E2: Imagination isn't about fantasy, nor is it the province of artists. In this episode, we debate imagination's role in how we understand the world around us...and how we live.