A Visualization/Demonstration of Real Life Events...(A.K.A. Drama Ministry)
Tonight we were given an opportunity to express our passions to other Leaders of the Journey. I was the first to volunteer, because I knew that if I waited any longer, my heartbeats would grow heavier and harder, which would ultimately distract me from what I had to say. My vision is clear, and it has been for over a year now. We, the Journey, have the potential to start a team that will encourage those who have a gift of dramatics and arts, to create new levels of open engagement. The background story on this is, I went to the Worship and Arts Conference in Chicago at Willow Creek last year, and was indescribably moved by the 6 to 8 minute Drama sketches that tapped into the heart of many different perspectives on real life experiences. One was about a pastor that was too busy and had a breaking point moment that allowed him to reevaluate the meaning of his profession. Another, was about a wife who just could not get rid of the voice of her father who had past, and her husband was confronting her about her dead father coming between them, and ruining their marriage. Another was a comedy sketch about boardroom brainstorming that capitalized on many things that could go wrong, it was hilarious!
I can hardly describe what I saw, and what an impact it had on me. But, if you saw the 6 to 8 minute sketch at the Summit today after lunch on being approachable in your position, you received a great example of what a great visual of real life events is all about.
Open Space - Input Form
Other people who participated:
Steve W.
Julia
Steve H.
Jackylin H.
Randi W.
Topic: How to increase the effectiveness of the Journey in our mission by...
- Bringing people in (engagement and involvement).
-Dramatic Scripture reading (ex: Heidi's message).
-Keeping it simple - Start small...do that well...than build on...little by little. (Once something is done poorly...people never want to see it again.)
-Incorporate Dramatic Scripture reading with worship set.
-Film it to make it "Journeyish!"
-Get Junior high and High schoolers involved
-Utilize the people and resources at the Journey (Those with experience, and those with potential to grow).
-If doing something incorporated with the message...maybe do it once a month to ensure as much preparation as possible.
-Referencing Sarah's Martha message and the reading of the Max Lucado picture book.
-Referencing of Kevin's Stereotypical Christian Idiot.
"The only thing worse than no drama is...BAD DRAMA...We had enthusiasm and a few willing volunteers, but no experience with crafting drama sketches for church."
- Nancy L. Beach
-Programming Director of Willow Creek Community Church.
(Drama Ministry: Practical help for making drama a vital part of your church by Steve Pederson).
My goal in leading this team is to find those who have the ability to do the work it takes to excel in writing, finding and crafting works of art that opens us up to experience scripture and people in a way that we never have before.
I personally pray, that I and others are not afraid of the PROCESS. But, that we on this team, will be committed to doing everything it takes to have the support of other leaders in our church. It is only through creating those brilliant life-checking or identifying moments that will cause this team to increase the effectiveness of The Journey...and not BAD DRAMA!!!
What do you think?
Talent needs a place!
Lindsay G.
In the spirit of, "No drama is better than bad drama", I agree with you 100%! In following Willows example, I believe that if the audition process is done well and creates community rather than simply selecting your team. Those who are not selected will be cheering on those who were, and will also be greatly encouraged to join drama outside the church to work on the areas they've received in the feedback time.
What we've heard at the Leadership Summit, was that we need to be able to disappoint people from the start. This will look different in all ministries, but in this one, it will be made clear the first round of the audition process. That's right...there are rounds of auditions, if we follow Steve Pederson's audition process for the Willow Creek Drama team.
My hope is to have an "empty chair" leadership style. By that I mean, I am the beginning initiator, but as soon as someone else is found that has more experience and a better grasp on leading this team, there will be a switch of leadership. My hope is to one day become the assistant director to a director who you have described, Dave. This will motivate the team to know that the longer we are in motion the better we will become. For it is not for ourselves alone, that we volunteer our time, it is through becoming what God has created us to become. We will fall short, no doubt, it's inevitable! Because God has created us to be like Jesus. But, if we are striving to become what God wants, than we are succeeding. It is only when I, or the team starts traveling the opposite direction that we are failing. Experience is crucial! Potential is crucial! The ability to keep learning and keep striving to new heights is crucial! As soon as it has becomes clear that one is not moving foward, that is when they will be asked to step back and reevaluate why they think should be on this team. Because this is a visual ministry, those on the team will have visual evidence of where they are at. No one is exempt from being asked to step back and be reevaluated. Even if we are not in front of the Journey, this team would benefit to get started. Creating relationships is crucial to having a brilliant team. But, first we need a project, and that is what I am working on currently!
What do you think?
Yup Yup
Hey Lindsay, I'm excited to see this opportunty discussed. Powerful dramas can work amazingly well to get people thinking (and feeling) life's important topics. yes.
Talent
OK, I need to be up front on this topic.
I've seen a lot of dramas over the years. And my experiences have been that drama can often be about campy skits put on by people with no acting skills and cheesy scripts.
I think initially, a drama team starts out with people who have talent but then as more skits happen, the people who don't have talent but want "audience" time start creeping into the team. And then the person who is the drama visionary has to struggle with hurting people's feelings by saying No or letting people who can't act on the team in the interest of "being nice."
For these reasons, I think the person who runs this team needs to have acting and/or scripting talent themselves, be a good judge of competence of potential players, and have the strength to be able to say No to someone who either lacks talent or is only interested in an adoring audience or both.
In the Psalms, there is a verse that exhorts us to make a skillfull noise to the Lord. Anyone involved in the Sunday morning needs to have chops. The verse does not say to make a half-baked cacophonous noise to God. Right?
Today's culture is pretty sophisticated in terms of what it expects of its entertainment. Many YouTube videos have clever production and people who actually belong in front of a camera.
So, my point here is not to shut this idea down at all: I agree that a drama can be powerful. But it can't be powerful if the acting is lame and the scripts are cheesy, full of Christian cliches or full of bad dialogue. I'm impressed with the amazing depth of talent here at Journey, so I'm just saying that we should have high standards for this and that it should not be allowed to become a platform for people who can't act or write but who want an audience and adoration.
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I believe in God because every once in a while, I hear a voice that says, "You're my favorite."
Yup Yup
Lindsay G.
I am equally excited to talk about this team's potential and where it's going. I was trying to develop a bit more material before the announcement of this team. But timing must be in God's hands because I have not been able to get the material required before launching this idea. I am in the process of getting a project for a potential team to be working on. I am meeting with a few others to help find this project. Once that is found and goes through the list of leaders to approve it than we will be able to have something TO discuss! I keep repeating to myself..."Lindsay, PROCESS....Lindsay, PROCESS!" That will not make sense to you unless you recall one of the Bill Hybel sections on leadership. It is hard, but at the same time is a requirement!
Thanks for your excitement, it's very supportive!
Definitely In Support
I love movies and have a long list of them that I think reveal God, usually in spite of Hollywood's best efforts to suppress spiritual themes. And I have seen some definitely powerful church dramas. I also like Rob Bell's Nooma series.
Also, don't be so quick to dismiss yourself as a viable leader. One of the things I most respect about Jeff Wenke is his willingness to share leadership with many people. From EPIC to messaging to sharing the teaching platform with different teachers, he is an uncommon leader. Similarly, you could work with someone who has more theater experience and co-lead the ministry. At the risk of contradicting myself a bit, passion can compensate for lack of experience.
I'm looking forward to seeing how you lead this ministry.
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I believe in God because every once in a while, I hear a voice that says, "You're my favorite."
Commercials.
Lindsay.
I’m excited to see how this thing unfolds…
In the mean time, I’m flaky, afraid of commitment, and travel a lot…but from time to time am inspired and have an idea.
this is such a time
I have an idea for a series of short viral commercials to advertise TalkInChurch.com
Here’s what I need:
1) About 4-5 actors, good on camera. Male & Female
2) 2-3 hours of unlimited access to an elevator
3) 9 pounds of only red gummy worms.
The last one is a personal favor.
Yicks! This is the first time seeing this post! :(
Hey Josh,
We are having a meeting on Dec. 2nd at a near by location after the second service. Let’s see who would be right for this opportunity.
For the elevator…maybe we could use my sister’s building…the catch is that it is in San Francisco.
It would have to be a day trip! I love those! Or, we could talk to anyone who lives in an apartment building that has one. I have one person in mind.., but I would have to ask her!
I hear you about the commitment. If we can find key players to commit, it will not be a pressure for you! That is the stage we/I am in right now. Sorry, I did not check this sooner! Looking forward to the adventure!
Lindsay G.
Yicks! Check my post!
Woops, I should have just replied, instead I created a new post!
Lindsay G.
Elevator
Vanessa got us an elevator here in town
Elevator
Oh…great! I lined up another one too! We’ll see who’s elevator wins! Just kidding! That is great! We are well on our way. ;)
Lindsay G.