If You Build It...
(A drama about building the church)

Director's Notes:
Building the church is more about laying brick and mortar...

Cast:
Claire: Works at the church
Johnny: An architect
Nancy: Another architect

Props:
Some blueprints (or rolled up paper)
A couple of business cards
A portable phone

Setting:
The church auditorium or chapel

(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE where Claire is talking on the phone. Johnny walks in.)

Claire: Yep, that would be great. Well, that’s what the church is here for now isn’t it? Yep, Sunday School is at 9:30 and the service is at 10:30. Okay. Okay, thanks. Bye.

Johnny: (Looking around) Yeah, I can see the possibilities…

Claire: Can I help you?

Johnny: No, the question is, can I help YOU? Johnny O, architect.

Claire: (reading card) "If you build it, they will come?"

Johnny: Nice slogan, eh?

Claire: Sure. Oh, that’s right, you’re the architect. Please to meet you. I work here at the church. I’m Claire Johnson. (holds out hand)

Johnny: Pleasure. (Hands her business card)

Claire: (looks at the card) Well, Johnny, like I said on the phone, I’m not sure we really need an architect…

Johnny: You don’t need an architect? Why, poor woman, of course you do. (Dumps all the blueprints on her).

Claire: What are these?

Johnny: Blueprints of course. Every church I build has to start out with blueprints. We’ll use these to lay the foundation for the church, the cornerstone, if you will. Heh heh.

Claire: Well, I think the blueprints we need to go by are from God’s Word.

Johnny: Hmm. Well, yes, that’s all very interesting but you see, these are blueprints. (starts talking to her like she’s a child) We need these to build the church. B-l-u-e-p-r-i-n-t-s.

Claire: I know what these are.

Johnny: Okay, well, let’s find out some other things. (pulls out his tape recorder). March 21st, 1999. Northside Community Fellowship with a Mrs. Jones..

Claire: Johnson.

Johnny: Sure, whatever. (turns it off) Let’s start off simple. What kind of church is this going to be?

Claire: Well, one that’s a loving, serving church. One that reaches out to unchurched members of our community and helps foster and nurture the God’s process of changing lives.

Johnny: No, no, no, not that stuff. I mean what kind of architectural style? Victorian, post Modern, Art Deco, what?

Claire: I don’t know. It doesn’t matter does it?

Johnny: Doesn’t matter? Doesn’t matter? Of course it matters. I mean, this place looks like it used to be a grocery store or something. Okay, whatever, (speaks into recorder) Post Modern I think although client is obviously clueless. Let me ask you another question, Mrs. Jones.

Claire: (going to correct him but gives up) Okay, what?

Johnny: Who’s going to build this church?

Claire: Well, that’s easy. With God’s help, the committed believers here- the congregation.

Johnny: Hold, hold, hold it. Are you telling me that this whole church is going up with unskilled labor? I mean, even with divine intervention, we’re going to have a nightmare on our hands unless you tell me that everyone here is a carpenter!

Claire: No, you see, the people of the church hear God’s word taught in a relevant way, use their spiritual gifts to serve here, and then through prayer and supplication, tell their friends.

Johnny: Hmmm. (starts recorder) Must hire contractor and fast!) Well, Mrs. Jones, you obviously are a little behind the times and surely you must have just started here. Might I inquire as to who the owner of this church is?

Claire: That would be God.

Johnny: God eh? I see. (speaks into recorder) Woman is delusional, recommend good councilor) Are you sure about that?

Claire: Oh yes, quite sure.

Johnny: I see, well, Mrs. Jones, I’m afraid that I must be going. I don’t think that you completely understand what it takes to build a church. Goodbye (grabs blueprints and walks out)

Claire: (dumb founded ) Well, that was interesting. (In walks Nancy with blueprints)

Nancy: (Looking around) Yeah, I can see the possibilities…

Claire: Can I help you?

Nancy: No, the question is, can I help YOU? Nancy Smith, architect. (hands her card)

Claire: (rolls eyes) O no, here we go again…

(LIGHTS OUT FAST)

END

© 1999 Dave Marsh