More information about
THE BOARD
MAIN POINT
Many churches are filled with "good intentions." They want to meet the
needs of the people in their congregation as well as meet the needs of the surrounding
community and perhaps the world at large. Their intentions may be admirable. But, a church
that is caught up only in accomplishing a list of "good intentions" may be
missing the one basic intention for which it was created -- obeying God and God's
mandates. This sketch takes a humorous look at one congregation that has tailored its
presence to please the community and pay for a new building, but has forgotten about
preaching the gospel.
CHARACTERIZATION
Harry is the president of the church board. He is in his 40s, amiable and
objective. He likes to hear all sides of the story and is a peacemaker. He comes to the
board meetings right from his office job, so he wears a suit.
Marjorie has been the church secretary for 25 years. She looks and dresses like Aunt Bea (The Andy Griffith Show). She is in her early 60s, and has enjoyed the new popularity of the church and her new responsibilities as a board member. She tends to giggle and blush a lot.
Wade is in his late 60s, wears a suit because that's what board members are supposed to do. He is a dusty old member of the church who never liked listening to sermons anyway. He speaks his mind freely, and likes a good argument now and then.
Megan is a woman in her early 20s. She was elected to the board to represent the younger generation. She is a bit flighty, yet has definite opinions ... most of them are "politically correct." She dresses bright and wild.
John is a mild-mannered pastor in his 50s. He has been overwhelmed by the changes that have taken place in his church over the last 25 years. His sanctuary is now a public auditorium. Things have gotten out of control, but he has no idea how to bring the church back to where it should be.
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
The setting and opening lines should look as if auditions are being held in the room. If
table mikes are used, be careful of bumping the table and the sound of pages rustling.
When discussing a prospective "act," the dialogue should be quick and animated;
these people are opinionated.
Marjorie loves to look at, and have control of her list. This should be obvious by the way she refers to it and rifles off the information from it. When John enters, we don't want the audience to know he is a pastor. The clergy attire is optional ... but if used, make sure the collar cannot be seen under the raincoat. When he removes his coat, it should be because he is nervous and hot, not because we want the audience to now know he is a pastor. The lines will tell them that.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:11-13 on the nature and mission of the church; 1 Corinthians
1:18, 2 Timothy 4:2 on preaching; 2 Timothy 2:15 on right intentions.
RELATED THEMES
Though the main focus of this sketch is a church with misguided intentions, it would work
well for any message related to having a healthy church life, evangelism or church
leadership.
