More information about
ONE LAST SUNDAY
MAIN POINT
It happens all across the country every Sunday: a whole bunch of people
trying to find a church. It's a tiresome process: dressing right, parking,
getting the kids to the right place. Meeting new people, deciding where to
sit. Smiling, feeling awkward.
Most people donCt have much patience for it. In fact if a church has any hope of getting any but the most die-hard visitors to stick, church officials have to spend some time thinking of the whole process from the guest's perspective. That's what this skit does.
For our purposes, it doesn't matter a whole lot whether Greg and Cindy are believers or unbelievers, churched or unchurched. The same factors are at work any time people decide to try a new church. Sure, you can devise great programs to attract and welcome new people. But in the end it boils down to friendliness. People will stay where they feel a sense of genuine interpersonal comfort and ease. They will flee any church that ignores, excludes, or demands too much too soon.
CHARACTERIZATION
Greg grew up in the church and is familiar with all its quirks. He doesn't
expect a whole lot because he's been on the inside. He's also more secure,
and doesn't depend as much on the responses of other people. He should be
played with an easy-going assurance on top of a determination to do the
right thing.
Cindy is more relationally driven. She wants to fit in, but isn't sure where she fits. No one has shown her individual attention, so she concludes that she's not wanted. Since she didn't grow up in the church, her expectations are a little higher. Though she genuinely wants to go, she's tempted to take the easy way out and avoid the risk.
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
1) You can play this with a table and chairs, or with the actors just
sitting on the floor/steps. Whatever is easiest.
2) The mood should go from playful and relaxed, to mildly adversarial. But don't let a genuine argument erupt. They mostly agree. Keep it fun.
3) The pace should be unusually fast. Keep the lines clipping along, and eliminate virtually all space between lines.
4) The pace would suggest quite a bit of movement. The actors can't really do this sitting down the whole time. But don't have them constantly on the go. Have the action peak toward the end, and make sure you end with them close together.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
The most obvious link is the story in James 2 about welcoming new people
into the assembly. Also related is the Great Commission itself in Matthew
28 and the commendation of the church in Thessalonica for their outreach
into their entire community (1 Thessalonians 1: 4-10).
RELATED THEMES
This is the perfect complement for Friends' Sunday or any time you're
featuring outreach. Link it to teaching on evangelism, church growth or
friendliness. It should make both visitors and members acutely aware of
the challenges of bringing new people into an existing network of friends.
