It was a very serendipitous moment. Shortly after having this discussion I was reading in St. Benedict's rule and came across this passage.

If there are artisans in the monastery, let them practice their crafts with all humility, provided the Abbot has given permission. But if any one of them becomes conceited over his skill in his craft, because he seems to be conferring a benefit on the monastery, let him be taken from his craft and no longer exercise it unless, after he has humbled himself, the Abbot again gives him permission. The Holy Rule of St. Benedict, Ch. 57.

A great deal of counsel is there for Christian artists. Just substitute the word church for the word monastery.

Of course, I'm sure that the idea that artists are to be in some sense servants of the church and therefore, to a certain extent, accountable to her, is anathema to artists -- even Christian artists. Artists engage in art for art's sake, not for the sake of any community to which they belong, unless, of course, it's the Arts Community.