Torch, Spring 1997

- Benefits of Using Drama to Reach Hearts We live in a world of visual communication. Visual communication, for adults and children alike, is the primary source by which information and instruction are received in our culture. This visual orientation can be used effectively in communicating biblical teaching and in worship. Pastor Bill Barber of the Plymouth Baptist Church in Plymouth, Michigan has built a very successful drama ministry in his church, annually offering a three- to four– week series of dramatized messages. In full costume and stage makeup, he has told the stories of Abraham, Jacob, Simon Peter, and Thomas, to mention a few. Pastor Barber states, "Drama seizes the visual orientation of our culture and employs it as a vehicle for God's truth. Dramatization that is faithful to the context of Scripture creates an 'I am there' experience...even for twenty– first century audiences." Drama communicates with a contemporary audience. Robert Smyth of the Lamb's Players, a professional Christian theatre company, states: "The church today is exploring fresh ways to communicate to the society around it. Many churches recognize that while the truth of Scripture does not change, cultural expression does." We all recognize that it is becoming more and more difficult to his audience analysis. It would be foolish of us not to recognize that methods of communication change as cultures change. People who are passionate about communicating truth should be on their toes, looking for effective ways to share the truth." The role of Christian drama as a communicate with strangers in our tool to reach hearts takes on even culture. Traditional door-to-door greater importance in the work of evangelism and personal distribution Leland Ryken. He suggests in The of literature have become Liberated Imagination, "The increasingly dangerous. As the tools Christian witness, moreover, needs of traditional evangelism lose to use the best cultural forms effectiveness, it behooves the church available and to use all such forms to explore alternate tools with which in order to appeal to the whole range church service. As Pastor Barber states, "In attending a drama, there is no intimidating 'spotlight' shining on the unbeliever as is often perceived in a regular church setting. Instead, the spotlight is on the biblical character, and that invites an unbelieving friend to draw near to the truth." Drama is a Powerful Means for Expressing Biblical Truth Successful church dramas cause audience members to come to a deeper understanding of Bible content and the importance for application of biblical truth. The wonder of Bethlehem, the horror of Golgotha, and the thrill of the empty tomb have all been portrayed in ways that clarify and deepen an awareness of the inspired biblical record. Performed religious drama helps a visually-oriented audience to see more clearly the wisdom of serving Christ and the folly of not addressing life's issues through biblical truth. The joy of salvation, parental heartbreak over rebellious children, and fear of giving up a comfortable lifestyle to go to a foreign mission field are examples of contemporary issues that can be dealt with through biblically sound drama. Herbert Sennet writes in Religion and Dramatics: The Relationship Between Christianity and Theatre Arts, "A dramatic presentation has the unique quality of empathetic identification that few art forms offer.. ..Drama can be used quite effectively to get the message of the church across so that it becomes a catalyst for God to work in the heart of the viewer." The Message of the Drama Must Be Biblically Accurate to share the truth of Scripture. of society." Often, religious dramas take Pastor Greg Gibbs, a 1991 Drama communicates with an artistic liberty in developing Cedarville graduate and director of audience in a unique way. As dialogue and minor plot situations leadership development at the Christians, we are concerned that for biblical dramas. They "fill in the Kalamazoo Community Church, our culture is increasingly suspect of gaps" by adding words and plot says, "The Bible suggests that the church, and we must recognize complications to the biblical record. people of faith must understand both that some people are literally afraid This is totally appropriate as long as I the times and the cultures ~ein~ to visit an evangelistic church. These the ultimate message or theme of the / addressed. Paul's presentat10n m people may be more willing to drama remains solidly biblical.