Torch, Spring 1992

I by Sandi Harner, t h"wh leodm •cro'5 the eo""''Y '" realizing that drama can be a powerful avenue of worship. Because it appeals to our senses, we can be deeply moved in our hearts-where real worship takes place. Watching a character act out a true-to-life scene, audiences can relate to the situation, even laugh at themselves, and be challenged with truth . After hosting the Lifeline Players, a traveling drama team from Cedarville College, one pastor said, "It was like taking a trip to the woodshed and loving every minute of it." The Lifeline Players have an effective drama ministry in about 40 churches and several Christian schools each year. Brandon Waltz, director for the team, says, "They use drama as a tool to encourage and challenge believers in their Christian walk. The team writes their own scripts and their program consists of several short and often humorous sketches. Their dramatizations allow the audience to hear and see biblical truth applied to situations in which Christians commonly find themselves." Many churches are creating their own drama presentations to enhance worship. In our small church in the cornfields of Ohio, several of us gather at 8:00 a.m. each Sunday for a quick final rehearsal of a drama sketch. I Then we bow our heads, asking God to use us in the morning service. As the director, I remind all of us, "Remember, we are performing for an audience of one-God. Let's do it to please Him ." For the past two years we have incorporated drama into our worship at Shawnee Hills Baptist Church in Jamestown, Ohio. Each week the services include short dramatic sketches or monologues. We write the scripts to complement the pastor's message, working from a schedule planned at least three months in advance. The purpose of our worship drama is to edify be)jevers. "Our dramas are an integral part of the message," Pastor Dennis Henderson explains. "They may be the introduction to the message, the conclusion, or perhaps even one of the points in the middle." We have found that, in order for the congregation to accept worship drama as an integral part of the message, those on the platform should not treat it as something "tacked on" to the order of service. Rather, worship drama should occur without introduction, flowing naturally into the message. We choose actors through thoughtful, prayerful consideration. A worship drama team will develop credibility with the audience as they exhibit a personal commitment to Christ and a consistency in the quality of their performances. In light of this, we try to choose actors who have a strong testimony in their daily lives and who can develop their skills with a minimum of direction. While most of our actors are inexperienced at first, they demonstrate good articulation as well as a lack of inhibition about working before an audience. We have found it best to work with a small group of the same people each week as we develop a rapport with each other and our audience and, at the same time, hone our skills with each performance. The Lifeline Players and our local church group are examples of how to implement drama in worship without a large drama budget. Both groups perform dramatic sketches with minimal props that are easily located. At Shawnee Hills men with skills in construction have volunteered to build simple props as needed. We have borrowed everything from a park bench to a dressing screen from a local school clinic. Workjng ahead allows us to locate necessary items or ask someone to make them. In addition, dramatic monologues such as "Appointment at the Well" by Rebecca Baker require only a cast of one, without lights or costumes. A proficient reader who is willing to prepare to read the piece with emotion and energy can offer a congregation the opportunity to experience the confrontation with the Living Water, to reflect on the meaning of that experience, and to internalize the very essence of worship. Worship through drama-as any other aspect of worship--should be performed with excellence. It requires planning, preparation, a certain level of skill, and above all a sense of reverence as we perform for God while we lead men and women to worship Him. Sandi Harner is an associate professor of English at Cedarville College. She developed and coordinates the professional writing program at the College and is a freelance writer for Southwestern Publishing Company and Union Gospel Press. She serves as drama director at Shawnee Hills Baptist Church in Jamestown, Ohio.