Director’s Notes:
I was asked to write this drama about how some folks believe it’s okay not to attend church if they are out enjoying God’s nature. The problem with that, of course, is that church is so much more than just listening to a message!
Cast:
Dave: Guy out fishing
Props:
A fishing pole and various fishing gear
Cell phone
Thunder sfx
Setting:
Out by a lake
Dave (v.o.): Yep. This is the life. Nothin’ like waking up at 5am, driving for two hours, hiking down to the river bank and casting a line out. Yep, nothing like it. I mean, I’m the luckiest guy in the world. Yeah. Actually, I’m the king of the world. (stands up, puts fists on his hips and shouts like in Titanic)
Dave (yells.): “I’m King of the World!”
Dave (v.o.): Heh. Yeah, nothing like it. This is what’s it’s all about! Nothing but nature out here. Just me and nature and (cell phone rings) and the trees and (continues to ring) and my cell phone. Sigh.
Dave (v.o.): (Looks at the caller id) Oh no. It’s my wife! How did she find me? You can’t get a signal out here. I’m in the middle of nowhere. (hits head) That’s right! She’s got an “in” with God. It must be all the reading and praying and stuff. Curses. (closes eyes and grits teeth and pushes the Call button)
Dave (talking): (Strange voice) Hi, this is John. You’ve reached my voicemail and… what? Oh, ha ha. Well, I was just playing a little joke. No! I wasn’t avoiding you. No,… look, if I was avoiding you then I wouldn’t have answered right? What? Yes, I know what day today is. It’s Sunday. Huh, so? Look honey, go ahead without me. Yes, I’m serious. What? Really? You think I have to be in church to worship God? Well, that’s what you said. (listens) Ok, ok. So that’s not what you said but I think that spending time out here is just as good as going to church. What? Look… Honey,…(holds phone away from ear)… (starts making static noise) Sorry honey, I’m losing you…. Bad signal…. Hello? (hits off button).
Dave (v.o.): (sarcastic looking at phone) Ohhhh, too bad. Lost the signal…. Ok, I’m gonna be sleeping on the couch but, I mean, there was no way she was gonna understand. I mean, how do I become a fisher of men if I don’t fish more? I’ve got to believe that the Bible says that we should spend time in nature rather than in a stuffy old church right? Yes, I do believe it does. First Hezikiah I believe…
Dave (talking): (Stands up) “And behold, the people didst go upon the mountain and the King didst say to them “Goeth out of the temple and waketh up real early and take thy chariot to a desolate place and hiketh down 1, nay 2, hours and then bringith up the fish instead of going to church and, er, … um…”
Dave (v.o.): Okay, maybe it doesn’t say that but I’ve got to believe that anything I can do in church I can do here. Yeah, that’s right. Anything I can do in church I can do out here. Okay, let’s go through the service…
Dave (v.o.): Worship. Yeah, I mean, I can sing out here just as well as I could at church. (clears throat)
Dave (singing):
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that made my tears for fears,
and Mark Grace he plays first base; (starts squirming and looking around)
and I don’t remember any more of this song,
La la la la la la.
Dave (v.o.): Okay, so maybe I can’t worship as well. But I mean, that’s no big deal right? I can still do the other things. How about tithing? I can tithe just as well here. I mean, I put my $5 in the box when I entered the state park. That’s just like tithing. You’ve got to admit that giving to Smokey Bear is something that God would definitely approve of. Yeah, got that covered.
Dave (v.o.): Alright, what else? How about fellowship? Well, I can talk to, er, um, the animals. Heh. Yeah, (starts singing and doing a little dance from Dr. Doolittle) “If I could walk with the animals, talk with the animals, grunt and screech and squawk with the animals…” (back to v.o.) Heh. Yeah, loved that movie. Yeah. Okay, well, maybe I can’t fellowship but I can still serve God. I mean, I can serve out here just like I can in the church.
Dave (v.o.): (looks around for some time) Okay, well what about a message. Yeah, and I know just the right one. (He lays down, props his head on a rock and puts the hat over his eyes) “Rest in the Lord… Psalm 37” Heh. Got that covered right God?
(Thunder and lights flicker)
Dave (speaks): (sits up fast) Oops…
LIGHTS OUT
END
(c) 2003 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