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March 2002 Table of Contents
Production Results
You Can't Add Drama To That!
By Keith McClung
Minister of Music & Fine Arts
19th St. Church of God, Parkersburg, WV
If you are like me, you are right smack-dab in the middle of Easter or re-couping from the experience of a busy, but beautiful season. I don't know about your ministry, but many churches get stuck in the box of presenting strictly seasonal dramas. Is this wrong? Absolutely not! I believe that God enjoys our praise through drama; especially when it is a true sacrifice of praise. Many of us realize the importance, and effectiveness, of the use of drama, but we lack the time, and sometimes-vision needed to carry out the word of God through drama.
So many times, we can get "tunnel-vision" when it comes to drama. We tend to put the costumes away with the anticipation of breaking them out again next Easter or next Christmas. This article is a challenge to you to think OUTSIDE of the box! I read a recent church growth survey that showed a statistic of churches that use drama on a regular basis for their sermon topics, event promotions, and much more. The majority of these churches have experienced growth especially among the Age 20 - 49 demographic.
Why is this? For those, of us, who fall in this group...we are a visual people. We grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons and were truly part of the entertainment generation. When reaching out to the "unchurched" we need to use the great message of salvation, but taking a different approach now and then. Drama can do it! It has worked for us!
Countless drama books have been published to help inspire you. Here are some ideas that have worked for my local church ministry, and hopefully, may lead you down a path to utilizing drama throughout the year in your church ministry.
Patriotic
As BIG or as little as you want! Find a great piece of music recognizing congregational members and attenders through the branches of the armed forces. Throughout the piece, have those men and women, who served in those branches, to stand when their branch is mentioned. At the finale of the song, hoist up the largest flag that you can find and ask the rest of the congregation to join in standing. WOW! What an impression this makes. You can pull this tune out several times throughout the year, while taking time to thank many courageous men and women who have served our country.
Right to Life Sunday
National Right to Life Sunday focuses on the sanctity of the human life. This can be a very moving, and emotional, day for your church attenders. This past year, my church presented a drama focusing on the emotional scars abortion leaves on a woman. The drama also shared that the love of Jesus Christ can remove those scars. Soon after the service is over, I noticed a lady wandering the backstage area. She tracked me down to say that our particular drama was exactly what she needed to see for her own healing. The guilt of a past abortion was driving her over the edge. We thank God that we were able to help this lady who, with our help, is now volunteering at a local Crisis Pregnancy Center.
Banner Worship Processional
Our church has many praise banners that are often moved around the building from time to time when we remember! Surprise your congregation by having a banner processional during a Sunday Morning Service. Many churches present this form of worship on a weekly basis, while the majority do not. Is this drama? Not particularly, but it does show our praise and worship through the Fine Arts of creating beautiful banners that Praise God with their statements and graphics.
Mission Emphasis Sunday
The traditional tried and true scene...Children dressed in costumes representing our world. What song is our favorite with this great scene? Sandi Patty's..."Love in Any Language." Need I say more? (P.S. Add the flags! We found ours on E-bay!) This service is always topped off with a great "Around the World" Lunch after service, which benefits our missions programming.
Sermon Tie-Ins
Potter Theme? - Of course, our music tied in with the theme, but not until a short drama took place with Jesus turning the water into wine! As a 2-part sermon, the following week featured an actual potter at his wheel. Throughout the sermon many pots were created, and re-started, to show that there is no perfect vessel for God, just willing vessels. What did we do the next week? We broke the pot! God can still use cracked pots!
Discipleship? - We actually held a "studio-style" audition for disciples of Jesus Christ, with a modern day twist. While quite humorous, it was still very effective. This drama skit was presented at a time when we needed a large number of volunteers for our Junior and Teen Ministry areas.
Miracles? Many miracle songs are out there. The traditional, "In the Name of the Lord" gives you the opportunity to re-use a tune from a past Easter production. Add the drama of Jesus performing many miracles back to the song for a memorable Sunday morning service. Let your imagine roll with this area! Hint: Don't tell your congregation when drama is being used with the music. Catch them off guard! They will enjoy it!
Human Videos
Master's Commission, a wonderful traveling evangelistic drama team, recently paid a visit to our church. Many of the drama scenes were coupled up with today's best Christian Music. Sit down with your CD's and let your imagination wander!
So, where do you begin? First, in prayer. Let God work through you with great ideas to reach people through drama. Second, bounce your ideas off other people whether it is during your church staff meeting, choir rehearsal, or among friends. Third, delegate...delegate...delegate...! Disciple others to become involved with drama. Giving ownership to others, in ministry, births new disciples in Jesus Christ.
As always, your comments are welcomed and appreciated! Keep on "Acting Up" Until HE Comes!
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