philosophy
Church drama is an incredibly powerful medium. Think about it, it is a unique tool to do so many different things. It first and foremost supports the message and reinforces what will be said in a visual way. It makes people think (or re-think) how they view God and the world around them. It allows people to "insert" themselves in the drama and personalize it for themselves. It draws people in who may be looking for more from a church program. And, because we are a media-driven nation, it offers a level of "edutainment" where people are taught and entertained at the same time. Contemporary church drama is:

More acceptable - It is being looked at more and more as a legitimate form of communication and it needs to be handled professionally and not hokey which makes the congregation squirm

Presents truths in a unique way - It can offer something to the service that music and message can’t (more later). It also allows for personalization and helps the  congregation see themselves in the drama. Finally, it leaves a lasting impression.

Provides substance entertainment for the church and unchurched - More than simple ‘brain-in-neutral’ entertainment, dramas can be directed both at the churched and unchurched and hit them where they are in modern culture. It offers something else that they can enjoy at church

Support - The purpose of drama is to support the message. Driving home key elements again and again and reinforcing what will be said in the message is the goal. Obviously this can be done blatantly or subtlety. The drama, in fact, is really using the most successful tool available to a good speaker: illustration. A good pastor will no doubt captivate his congregation by using solid illustrations to make his points. Even before they get up to speak, the drama has laid an example, an illustration of what they will communicate.

The drama needs to, of course, have a message tie-in. Simply getting a bullet-point list of what the pastor is going to speak on should be sufficient in either writing or finding an appropriate drama. Building the drama around, touching on, or alluding to these points will not only reinforce in peoples mind the subject spoken on that week but it will allow the pastor to refer (at their discretion) to clarify their points. Church drama should be looked to as a service agency. It is there to wholly support and serve. It is not a replacement nor should it upstage the message from the pastor. Again, the drama should be a visual illustration and should not attempt to try and say everything the pastor will say.

The most important thing a drama must do is bring honor and glory to God. It may be funny and wacky or heartfelt and serious but when you write it and when people perform it, it's only because you have a desire to glorify the Lord and help others understand what God is trying to say to us on that day. Here are some things to keep in mind... 1 Corinthians 10:31 – "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Take your gift seriously, not yourself. These are my general philosophies on drama.

Click on the link below and continue to read about writing dramas....

Writing Dramas >>