Building community – a NEW! drama for five people

Characters and props: Minister (rolled-up piece of paper to represent building plans); Builder (brick, hammer or other building implement); Barista (coffee cup); Worship leader (microphone or guitar); Child/young person (Bible).

Minister: (enters and addresses the audience) Good morning everyone. Just one notice today. As you know by now, for the last twenty years, the church development committee has been meeting to look at the redevelopment of the church. Tomorrow night, we are holding an open meeting for anyone to come and share their ideas about the redevelopment. Refreshments will be served from 7.00, for a prompt start at 7.30. Thank you. (walks off)

Minister: (enters carrying rolled-up plans and address the audience) Welcome to tonight’s open meeting. I said we would start prompt at 7.30, so off we go. In my hand I have the most up-to-date plans for the development of the church which, in broad brush strokes, means moving a few chairs around, replacing a few signs, and of course a fresh lick of paint. I also note that we won’t be moving Mabel’s chair so don’t worry about that. So, does anyone here have any further ideas they think we should incorporate?

Builder: (enters carrying their implement and addresses the audience.) I have had a good look round the building, and I think with my expert help – and of course my low-cost assistance! – we could certainly redevelop this space in some significant ways. We could add in a partition here, a little jacuzzi-cum-baptism pool, a couple of showers down the aisles, a soundproof creche, some lovely double glazing in place of those stained windows and, don’t worry Mabel, we will leave your seat just where it is. (walks off)

Minister: (steps back to the front) Certainly, some interesting ideas. Anyone else?

Barista: (carrying their coffee cup and addresses the audience) Now, what I think this church really needs to really enhance it is coffee. Just imagine sitting in church on a Sunday morning and, in your hands, you have a venti mocha chai latte, with soymilk, sugar-free syrup, a dash of lime, and of course the obligatory latte art of an ichthus on the top. That is what will bring people into this church. Did you know that only 50% of the shops out there on the high street are coffee shops, the church would really be fulfilling a need in the community? (walks off)

Minister: (steps back to the front) Some very interesting ideas. Anyone else?

Worship leader: (enters carrying their guitar and addresses the audience) I am all for the jacuzzi and latte on a Sunday morning, but I think we have been missing a really important piece of the puzzle. What this church really needs is a revolving central stage area, a dry ice machine, some laser lights, some blackout curtains over those windows, and then and only then will we truly be able to enter into the presence of the Lord on a Sunday morning. People will come flocking through those doors to hear the majestic sounds offered through our new surround-sound systems. (walks off)

Minister: (steps back to the front) More interesting ideas. Anyone else?

Young person: (enters carrying their bible and addresses the audience) I have to say, I love all those ideas, but I am not sure that is what will bring my friends into this church. I have been having a read, and I found that what church really needs to be able to thrive, is to be community, a place of support, love and encouragement, with the odd challenge thrown in too. I just want people to be there, to walk through life with me and to help me develop my faith, not my surroundings. I wonder what we think about when we think of church. Is it the building? Or is it the people?

Minister: Hmm, a very good point indeed. (Minister and young person leave together, chatting)