Director’s Notes: We know there are certain facts when it comes to how God uses his people within the church:
1) The Spirit gives unique spiritual gifts to believers.
2) The Spirit leads believers to use these gifts within (and outside of) the church.
The problem is that sometimes we see a need in the church and feel compelled to fill it immediately. While this can be a good thing for short term situations (a family needs money), it can be a bad thing for long term situations, especially if we don’t have the gifts to be effective in that ministry. God may have brought the need to the forefront so someone else (who has those gifts) could fill it.
Have we prayed about it? Do we have peace that this is where God wants us? Too many times we are reactive. This wacky drama (are there any other kind I write???) addresses this.
BTW, Jeff’s lines are read deadpan – very matter of fact, either looking at her or into his cereal bowl. The idea that he is the mom’s group leader seems as normal as breathing or driving a car.
Cast:
Jeff: A husband
Sandy: A wife
Lucas: Their son
Props:
A phone
A magazine
A receipt
2 chairs
A table
A box of cereal
2 bowls
A can of Coke
A coat
Setting:
Home kitchen
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE)
Sandy is at the table reading a magazine and Lucas is reading the cereal box and eating. Jeff comes stumbling in, in his pajamas. Sandy watches in disbelief as Jeff gets a coke and sits down. He then grabs the box of cereal pours it into his bowl, opens the coke, pours it in and begins eating.)
Sandy: (shakes her head at the breakfast he has made) Good morning.
Jeff: (grunt)
Sandy: What time did you roll in last night?
Jeff: This morning.
Sandy: What?
Jeff: What time did I roll in this morning? 3:30.
Sandy: You were at the church until 3:30?
Jeff: Yep.
Sandy: What in the world were you doing?
Jeff: Fixing the sound system.
Sandy: The sound system?
Jeff: Yeah. I’m the new sound guy.
Sandy: What do you know about running sound?
Jeff: Not a thing. That’s why I was still there. I blew out the speakers.
Sandy: You’re kidding me.
Jeff: Nope. I blew out the speakers and had to go out and buy some new ones.
Sandy: You had to buy new speakers?
Jeff: Yep. Here’s the receipt (pulls it out of his pajama pocket). Don’t worry its tax deductible. I should know. I’m the church treasurer.
Sandy: What? When did you become the church treasurer?
Jeff: When the pastor couldn’t find anyone else.
Sandy: You don’t even know how to balance the checkbook.
Jeff: Hey, somebody’s gotta do it. (Looks over at Lucas and lifts the cereal box) Aren’t you supposed to be in school?
Lucas: It’s Saturday.
Sandy: See? You’re already doing so much at the church that you don’t know what day it is. (The phone rings and Jeff picks it up)
Jeff: Hello? Oh, hey Lisa. Huh. Yeah, Thursday night. 7 o’clock. Right. Okay, see you then. Bye. (Hangs up phone.)
Sandy: Was that Lisa Brennan?
Jeff: Yeah.
Sandy: What did she want?
Jeff: She wanted to know what time Mom’s group was.
Sandy: And why would she ask you?
Jeff: Because I’m the Mom’s group leader.
Sandy: You’re the Mom’s group leader? You can’t be the Mom’s group leader!
Jeff: Of course I can. Besides, no one else was doing it. (pause) Can you help me make some brownies for the group?
Sandy: See? You can’t even make brownies. You can’t be, I mean, (sighs in resignation and she goes back to reading)
Jeff: (awkward silence. Jeff looks over at Lucas who shrugs his shoulders. He looks back at Sandy) Hey, what’s that?
Sandy: It’s a family fun book. I thought that maybe we’d go to Luray Caverns after church on Sunday.
Jeff: Can’t.
Sandy: Why not?
Jeff: Because I’m teaching youth group.
Sandy: Teaching youth group? What in the world do you know about teaching youth?
Jeff: (turns to Lucas and picks up the box he’s reading) Hey boy. Does your Dad tell good stories?
Lucas: Yep.
Jeff: (puts the box down) See. I teach the youth.
Sandy: Wait a minute. You think telling your son bedtime stories constitutes as teaching? This is ridiculous Jeff. I think if you’re gonna serve at the church you should at least have the gifts to do so. And besides, you are already (counts on fingers) ushering, playing drums, and making welcome calls, not to mention….
Jeff: (looks at watch) Whoa! I gotta run.
Sandy: Where are you going?
Jeff: Wedding ministry. (Getting coat on)
Sandy: Wedding ministry? We don’t have a wedding ministry!
Jeff: We do now. Gotta go! (Looks at son as he leaves) Boy.
Lucas: Dad.
Sandy: Wait a minute! You’re still in your pajamas!!!
Jeff: “God careth not about clothes, woman!” (He shouts as he runs off)
Sandy: (watches him go, shaking her head incredulously. His phone rings.) Hello? No, he just left. No. Huh? (standing up) HE SIGNED UP FOR WHAT????
LIGHTS OUT FAST
END
(c) 2002 Dave Marsh
Hello and welcome to Stage Right, the online drama ministry of EXW. My name is Dave Marsh and there are a few things you should probably know about me. First, I’m not a ‘theatre guy.’ I’ve never quoted Shakespeare (at least seriously), and I’ve never played Daddy Warbucks in Annie. Second, I received my ‘training’ in writing, directing, and acting at a church called Willow Creek (in Illinois.) Third, I’m an online games producer by trade but my real passion is found in telling others about Christ through contemporary church drama.
I have a few opinions about drama in the church as well. I think that contemporary drama is both underutilized and misunderstood. I believe it is something like 5-10 years behind contemporary worship. When many churches think about using drama, it usually involves the Passion Play or a children’s Christmas musical. Many people don’t have the opportunity to experience what are called ‘slice of life’ dramas. These dramas may last only 3-4 minutes long but create a powerful (and many times humorous) illustration on any given Sunday. I also believe that any church, no matter what size, can use drama effectively, giving God glory, and inspire/convict normal folks like you and I to walk closer to God
So, what’s Stage Right all about? It’s about offering you the advice and resources you need to help you create and act in contemporary Christian dramas. I’m no expert, but I’ve seen lives changed as I continue to strive for excellence in this area, constantly praying that God would use me to tell others about how to live for Him. Over the coming weeks and months, I hope to provide you with articles about creating a drama philosophy, working with your pastor, developing a team, writing short effective scripts, directing actors, and acting on stage. I also look forward to hearing from you, taking suggestions on topics that you feel should be covered
Over the last 3 years, I’ve written over 45 dramas that are easy to memorize, require few actors, and are highly humorous and relevant. These dramas are available to you for free and will be added to this site over the course of the next few months. You can currently download all of these dramas from my personal site (www.dave-marsh.com) and can contact me personally if you wish (dave).
I look forward to serving you here at EXW and want to thank Steve for asking me to jump on board.
In His hands
Dave Marsh