I’ll admit it. I sometimes get peeved when I hear the words “drama group” and “skit” used instead of
“Theatre ministry” and “Play”. They’re what I call “dignity sappers”. To me taking a wonderful art form
like theatre and calling it “just the drama ministry” and taking moving scenes that reveal the message of
Jesus Christ and calling them “just skits” trivializes the entire act. It’s like calling Rembrandt's religious
paintings “just drawings on a canvas”. It’s like calling all of Martin Luther’s foundation shaking hymns
“just a pretty song”. Theatre is an art form involving a group of people relating deep and insightful
messages to an audience. It is a holy communion between the performers and the audience. It takes training,
years of study. Not just anyone can complete a degree program in theatre and it takes a lot of talent to be a
true theatre artist.
“Theatre ministry” and “Play”. They’re what I call “dignity sappers”. To me taking a wonderful art form
like theatre and calling it “just the drama ministry” and taking moving scenes that reveal the message of
Jesus Christ and calling them “just skits” trivializes the entire act. It’s like calling Rembrandt's religious
paintings “just drawings on a canvas”. It’s like calling all of Martin Luther’s foundation shaking hymns
“just a pretty song”. Theatre is an art form involving a group of people relating deep and insightful
messages to an audience. It is a holy communion between the performers and the audience. It takes training,
years of study. Not just anyone can complete a degree program in theatre and it takes a lot of talent to be a
true theatre artist.
I mainly come to this view of theatre from ten years of studying it in school and making it on my own.
But in many ways that elitist view is completely bogus. That’s because in real life (contrary to popular belief)
ANYONE can do theatre. In essence all actors are doing is playing dress up for a living. We stand onstage
and pretend to be someone else. In the theatre ministry we mirror Jesus’ stance or all inclusiveness by letting
anyone take the stage and share the love of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen. The Bible assures us that
anybody can tell stories, sing, and dance. The Bible also mandates that as God’s children we should share the
love of Jesus everywhere we go.
So if it’s not because of sheer arrogance why do I still dislike the idea of using words like “drama ministry”?
Because I’ve learned that, even with a major in performance and a minor in design, there still many things that
a Drama Ministry does that is not covered in a “drama” department. Here is just a list of other programs that a
Drama Ministry does that goes beyond acting out dramatic scripts.
But in many ways that elitist view is completely bogus. That’s because in real life (contrary to popular belief)
ANYONE can do theatre. In essence all actors are doing is playing dress up for a living. We stand onstage
and pretend to be someone else. In the theatre ministry we mirror Jesus’ stance or all inclusiveness by letting
anyone take the stage and share the love of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen. The Bible assures us that
anybody can tell stories, sing, and dance. The Bible also mandates that as God’s children we should share the
love of Jesus everywhere we go.
So if it’s not because of sheer arrogance why do I still dislike the idea of using words like “drama ministry”?
Because I’ve learned that, even with a major in performance and a minor in design, there still many things that
a Drama Ministry does that is not covered in a “drama” department. Here is just a list of other programs that a
Drama Ministry does that goes beyond acting out dramatic scripts.
· Human Music Video: A narrative dance to a popular Christian song.
· Puppet Shows: Puppetry can be defined as “manipulating something that isn’t alive to appear
that it is alive.
that it is alive.
· Musicals: Drama groups are often run out of the music department of the church. I remember that
in my old church to be involved with any of the production that the youth group did you would have to be
in the Youth choir. But music and theatre are two completely different arts.
in my old church to be involved with any of the production that the youth group did you would have to be
in the Youth choir. But music and theatre are two completely different arts.
· Dowel Rod Ministry: This can get lumped in with Human Music Video. But it actually comes from
a different part of dance called Prop Specific Dance. It’s all about using the dowel rods as ways of
enhancing the silhouettes of the dancers. Sometimes I believe that dowel rod ministries have yet to reach
their full potential because there are so many things that can be done with them far beyond just dancing
with them and using symbolism. There are several novel things that can be done with them as in juggling,
twirling, making music, balancing, stage combat…etc. But Dowel Rod ministry is a wonderful new art
form that is popping up in Churches everywhere because it has a novelty factor and is suitable for all
ages.
a different part of dance called Prop Specific Dance. It’s all about using the dowel rods as ways of
enhancing the silhouettes of the dancers. Sometimes I believe that dowel rod ministries have yet to reach
their full potential because there are so many things that can be done with them far beyond just dancing
with them and using symbolism. There are several novel things that can be done with them as in juggling,
twirling, making music, balancing, stage combat…etc. But Dowel Rod ministry is a wonderful new art
form that is popping up in Churches everywhere because it has a novelty factor and is suitable for all
ages.
· Clowning and Mime: These are very old ministries in the church and also some of the oldest
traditions in theatre. They come from as far as the days of Rome and spring from the art of
Commedia Del Arte. In most Theatre programs they are taught in physical acting classes. They are also
a lot of fun and sometimes involve magic tricks, physical comedy, and lots of wit.
traditions in theatre. They come from as far as the days of Rome and spring from the art of
Commedia Del Arte. In most Theatre programs they are taught in physical acting classes. They are also
a lot of fun and sometimes involve magic tricks, physical comedy, and lots of wit.
These are a lot of things that the Drama Ministry does and not a one of them are necessarily covered
in the regular Theatre education. And a lot of times when someone takes over the theatre ministry they
are just a music/theatre/dance person with little to no knowledge of the other fields. And sometimes a
little knowledge or reference goes a long way to helping the drama director meet the needs of the
entire drama ministry. That’s why Christ on Stage was created. In here are several resources for all
aspects of the Creative Worship Ministry from music to drama to puppetry to dance along with
several tips for technical theatre and practical devotions that can enlighten your actors and use in
your rehearsals. Keep looking back here to find those references that you need to take your Drama
Ministry to the next level!
in the regular Theatre education. And a lot of times when someone takes over the theatre ministry they
are just a music/theatre/dance person with little to no knowledge of the other fields. And sometimes a
little knowledge or reference goes a long way to helping the drama director meet the needs of the
entire drama ministry. That’s why Christ on Stage was created. In here are several resources for all
aspects of the Creative Worship Ministry from music to drama to puppetry to dance along with
several tips for technical theatre and practical devotions that can enlighten your actors and use in
your rehearsals. Keep looking back here to find those references that you need to take your Drama
Ministry to the next level!
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