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March 2002 Table of Contents
Special Feature
The World of Drama in the Church
(And what's new in that world.)
By Bob Hoose
(of Custer & Hoose)
It's exciting to see how things have been changing in Christian Theatre over the last ten years. Church drama groups have been presenting short Sunday morning sketches for a while now, and they are eager to branch out into new applications of their ministry... "OK. Wait, wait", you say, "It's great to see that you're all hopped up about this drama stuff, Hoose. But is it really all that effective? I mean, what's it supposed to really do anyway?" Well… now that you've stopped me, that's actually a pretty good question. In fact, up until a very short while ago, the typical ministry council debate might have sounded something like this:
Chairman: "Let's bring this meeting to order. Thank you. As the church committee for "Discerning the Proper Application of All Things", we need to discuss…drama…ahem, ministry"
Member 1: "My opinion is, it simply doesn't belong in the Sanctuary, they seem too…happy"
Member 2: "Maybe it could fall under praise and worship."
Member 3: "Uh…no, it's not repetitive enough."
Member 4: "How close should it be to the pulpit?"
Member 1: "Must I remind you they use comedy? Isn't humor near the pulpit against our doctrine?"
Member 3: "How about if they make announcements in the parking lot?"
All: "PERFECT!!"
However, with time we've come to see that drama, and the Christian Arts in general, can be helpful tools to communicate God's message. We live in a society that is very comfortable with visual, entertaining, presentations.
So, then you say: "Ah! Then it's only entertainment. I knew it!" Au contraire, my fair doubting one. Drama can be entertaining, yes, and I submit that there's nothing wrong with that. Breaking through those congregational crossed arm barriers with a little humor and some thought provoking empathy is nothing to be ashamed of. But drama is far from "only entertainment." Sometimes the live images of theatre can help make an idea or concept more concrete for an audience. Let's not forget, even Jesus used the common drama medium of his day, storytelling. In the book of Matthew, Jesus' disciples asked why He spoke in parables to the crowd. Jesus said: "This is why I speak to them in parables: 'Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.'" Jesus himself used whatever it took to help make His message clearer.
I recently heard Paul McCusker, who is the Executive producer for the Adventures in Odyssey radio programs, and a very talented and seasoned dramatic writer, speak about Art. He told us of how he'd been challenged recently by a man who said that Christian drama should preach the Gospel, nothing more, nothing less. Paul disagreed, and raised the question: What is the purpose of Art in the Church? He went on to present us with a very provocative image by comparing Christian Art to a fragrance. He said: "Think of the power of the fragrance of a Rose, the aroma of bread baking in the oven, or a sauce cooking on the stove, or meat on a barbecue. Think of the smell of a woodfire burning in the distance on a cold, crisp winter's night. Think of the perfume or scented lotion used by someone you care about but haven't seen for a long time. Think of the images, the memories, and the thoughts that come from certain fragrances.
In a fragrance, our God-given sense of smell directs us to the source - not by proclamation, but through nuance and subtlety. We can see in our minds and hearts the beauty of the Rose by its fragrance alone…and this is the fundamental difference between preaching and art. Preaching tells, Art shows."
So what can Christian drama "do?" It helps us emotionally empathize when it shows us a character's struggles and choices. Like a fragrance, it subtly directs us to the source of our passions. It draws us in and stirs our memories, reminding us of what we know to be true. It challenges us to think and dares us to feel. Not bad for something that started out making announcements in the parking lot.
With this kind of momentum moving them forward, Church groups are trying their hand at larger more challenging productions. After all, there's only so much you can do with a five-minute sketch. A full play or musical is a much richer field to dramatically plow. Drama ministries everywhere are searching out, and experimenting with, new materials and venues. Their efforts range from dessert and/or dinner theatre events to large seasonal productions. Of course, that means new materials must be created, and Christian publishers have been stepping up to the task. For example, Lillenas Publishing started the push by releasing the Deborah Craig-Claar/ Mark Hayes musical I'll Be Home For Christmas, which really gave church drama ministries something they could sink their theatrical teeth into. Here was a Broadway style musical that challenged the drama people, was fun to sing for the choir, and had enormous outreach appeal.
"So what's next?" you may ask. To quote a famous cartoon character, the answer is: "To infinity and beyond!" As Christian actors continue to improve technically and widen their vision for the future, theatre ministries will find new innovations to communicate with the world around them. Lillenas is currently releasing All On A Christmas Day, a new Broadway style musical humbly created by Custer & Hoose (of which I am one half) and Dennis and Nan Allen. This musical takes us on a roller coaster ride through many comic and dramatic Christmases in one man's life, as he discovers that being "important" isn't found in money, power, or prestige, but by being in the arms and will of Christ. It is funny and upbeat, poignant, and as pleasantly "fragrant" a musical as you can find. The musical styles are varied and fun, it incorporates some new technical ideas, the characters are challenging, and it has a clear message. It says, "God is always ready to forgive, no matter what we've done or how old we are, He is always there."
Now, if you're thinking, "That sounded like a shameless commercial." You're right, but I believe every word of it. However, before you rush to judgment on me, please allow me to mitigate the shamelessness of my mentioning a new work with which I have been personally involved. I think it only fair to recommend to you two other "Broadway-style" works that one might also consider: Four Tickets for Christmas (Deborah Craig-Claar/ Mark Hayes/Lillenas), The Christmas Post (Deborah Craig-Claar/Robert Sterling/Word). Any of these will challenge and bless your church and arts ministry.
As I said when I began, it has indeed been exciting to see that the Arts, that God Himself created, have continued to grow and flourish. There are more and more opportunities for people to apply their God given talents and make a difference for Christ.
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