I’ve been thinking a lot recently about how the Church engages in the arts, in particular drama. Drama in my humble opinion is an amazing and valuable resource but to often it is used in a way which is out dated and ineffective. Someone I know described it as the church being addicted to Mediocrity. It saddens me to agree but a lot of the time I’m inclined to agree with him.

How often is drama reduced to a 2 minute sketch, performed by teenagers who don’t like drama but have been asked because it’s nice to involve young people in the service. They’ve been given the script a few days before but haven’t read over it until the morning, therefore making it un-rehearsed and still being read off the page. My question is: Would you ask someone who doesn’t play the guitar to be part of the worship band and not only that but not even get them to practice before hand?

I’m not saying there isn’t a place for 2 minute sketches within a church service, if you search hard enough it is possible to find a few out there that aren’t cheesy!!! But when they are stuck in the service for a bit of variety and not used to make a point in some way it annoys me. Drama has the ability to talk to people in a way that a sermon just can’t, it has amazing potential.

And why restrict it to a church service? Why not use it in out reach, as a way of engaging people outside the church with God? All Saints church in Chester has set up amazing drama clubs that run out of the Church for kids, teenagers and even adults. Through it they have seen people become christians, and not only that but built amazing community and powerful relationships.

Drama is a powerful tool, why have we reduced it to something so mediocre?