Drama, The Visual Language Part 2

Drama...To do it or not to do it...that is the question Part 2 By Howi Tiller

Nothing will ever replace Biblical preaching, praying and fasting in bringing revival to the church or new souls into the kingdom. This book wasn't written to encourage the church to substitute its evangelism with a drama or short sketch every Sunday morning. It was however, written to encourage the church to take a fresh look at drama as a viable contribution to the local church's outreach. Any ministry, whether it's the choir, Sunday School or a drama must stay under the umbrella of the leadership and authority of the church. So, before we go too far into this book, please let it be understood that it is not my desire to infer that drama is the answer to all the evangelistic questions. Again, however, drama is arguably a tool that the church can greatly use in the last days to preach the gospel. And if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. The question that should be asked is, "why aren't we already doing it?" This book will help to answer that question. I've been involved with drama for over twenty-five years and have seen the incredible opportunities that God has afforded to us when we used it wisely. I think there is a tendency to think that drama in the church is only making room for Hollywood. That possibility does have some merit, but if the driving force behind the drama ministry is about equipping the church and evangelizing the world then I think we must prayerfully investigate the viable possibilities. Sometimes, individuals can lose sight of the ministries' mission and lean towards a hollywood-ish expectation and approach. It's true that drama can be taken advantage of in the wrong way and one person's talent takes over the ministry and ruins the effectiveness that the drama ministry could have had. I address that when I teach drama conferences and instruct students to keep their motives pure and their talent under the umbrella of authority. The, "look at me", syndrome can ruin it for everyone involved in the drama ministry. In traveling to many churches over the years, I sometimes come across someone who doesn't want to be in drama if they can't be the, "star", or have a major role. I let them know right away, (in love) that this is not about them and to keep their priorities right. It's hard for some people to stay humble when they are getting all the attention. Hopefully, the pastor and drama director will recognize when things are getting out of sorts and will re-emphasize the correct priorities. With all that said, it is still worth while to create a healthy drama ministry that can be a genuine arm of evangelism in the local church. It takes time and effort to generate a solid foundation from which to build a launching pad for this vital end-time ministry. Some churches are experimenting with short sketches and song interpretations as a part of the Sunday morning service. Many are having great success and using the drama ministry wisely. An organized effort will help keep the ministry fresh and keep people from going through burnout. Many churches perform the large Easter or Christmas musicals and then don't have the energy to do drama any other time of the year. This is usually due to inexperience and taking on more responsibilities than they are qualified to do. I tend to lean toward what I call, "Less Is More", in my approach to the drama ministry as a whole. If you will adopt this theme, you will save yourself many headaches and heartaches. Don't purposely cut corners because you are too lazy to do the job right, but have a very good idea where to say, "I must have that prop", or "that prop makes the set too busy and it doesn't add to the overall effect. Let's save the money and use it in advertising". The
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pastor will be happy if you come under budget, too. Money or the lack of it seems to be the main problem in initiating a drama ministry. You may have to convince the pastor that the drama ministry is not excess baggage that the church will have to carry. Be patient, walk softly and carry a big script. When it's your turn, set a precedent and make the church cheer for more (in a manner of speaking). Remind yourself and your drama team that you are messengers of truth and that the drama ministry belongs to the church for its benefits. You can preach through a drama or sketch. Some of your visitors won't come to the traditional church service, but they will come to a play. In reality an anointed drama ministry can have the five-fold ministry in operation. A drama can teach, preach, help pastor, evangelize and be used in prophetic ministry. The Bible is the message, but the five-fold ministry is the method that God uses to encourage and equip the church. I know that the five-fold ministry operating in the drama ministry is very much dependent on those involved and their sensitivity to the Lord. It is there to happen, but you must know that it's there before it can take place. If your play is Biblical and truthful shouldn't any thing be possible? Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying that the five fold ministry will be in operation during a dinner drama as you are performing a comedy sketch about marriage or finances, but more during an anointed monologue or song interpretation where the Holy Ghost is really working and moving. Again, it depends on the person involved and his or her calling. It's very important as to whom is involved in the drama ministry. The message is paramount, but so is the messenger at times.

To order anointed scripts go to www.howitiller.com

Drama, The Visual Language Part 1

Drama, The Visual Language Part 1 By Howi Tiller

The last twenty years for the church have been years of great change. The message has not and cannot change. However, there seems to be an awakening and openness in respect to changes in the method by which we communicate the message. As an evangelist/dramatist who travels extensively across the United States, I am witnessing an evolution in evangelistic efforts and our approach to winning souls. The prevailing question is asked, "how do we win this generation"? Pastors and church leaders are concerned that the church of today isn't reaching today's mind-set. In our efforts to find the missing ingredient we most often miss the simple method that Jesus gave to us by example. Jesus taught by painting a story with words. Not just stories, but stories or parables that were relative to his generation and specifically to whom he was speaking to at that given moment. He didn't have a pulpit, a choir, or notes, (this is not to say that we shouldn't have them) and yet he delivered the essence of Heaven to everyday common folk on earth. Maybe we should look at how Jesus really ministered. He was being dramatic when he knelt in the sand and wrote a message in the sand with His finger. He was being dramatic when He told the story of the, "Rich man and Lazarus", and when he described the law of the sewer when He said, "A man went out to sew seed. Some fell on rocky soil and some on fertile soil"... and so on. His stories appealed to the emotion and yet His words were also able to touch the intellect of mankind. It didn't matter if he was talking about finances, agriculture, marriage, birth or death, Jesus' stories were relative and timely. Jesus told the story, "A man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and on his way he fell among thieves. He was beaten, robbed and left for dead". What is the significance of the story? The person He was telling the story to was a lawyer. Jesus knew the lawyer would understand the story of a crime. Jesus' communication was relative, timely and interesting. What He had to say was heavenly with human application. I think it would be wise if we took a closer look at the dramatic way in which Christ addressed life's issues through truth and principles. If we were to measure Christ's method of communicating with what we think today's standard is, Christ would be a failure. He didn't have a pulpit, a choir or a program. There isn't anything wrong with those items, but maybe we need to re-think the evangelism process. Christ spoke in parables, wrote in the sand, prayed in a garden, preached and then had a picnic out on the hillside. Dramatic, to say the least. Not that what He did was just drama, it wasn't…it was reality. My point is that we need to look closer at Christ's template and adjust accordingly.Drama truly is the visual language or method that can cause the audience to travel down the road of truth with you. We cannot match the passion that Christ exemplified on the cross. He is the only one that can do that. We can however, have great passion for souls and ministry. As you read this book, pray that the Lord will anoint you with a passion to reach souls, not just how to do drama better. A passion for souls will carry over into having a passion for drama as a ministry. Souls, truth and ministry are the driving forces behind every great end-time evangelistic effort.

BRING A PENCIL TO REHEARSAL www.howitiller.com

One More Round - Barlow Girl Song

Here is a scene out of One More Round from the CODE West 2009 DVD.

Many of you are looking for neat youth songs to act out to...well we have a really awesome song interpretation to the song by Barlow Girl called, One More Round. We turned it into a fight scene with a referee who is on the take. To order the DVD go to www.howitiller.com/misc.htm and scroll down until you see the order button for CODE West 2009. It was a lot of fun and works well for youth...especially for teenage girl's event.

CODE WEST dates are June 24-26, 2010 in Hanford, CA. It will be our 10th Anniversary and planning on having an incredible time.

New Youtube video clips

Hey,
We've added many new video clips of the song, Unto the Lamb which is a great Easter song or can be used anytime of the year. Also, Crosses and Crowns for Easter or for anytime of the year as well. If you are looking for an awesome high energy song then watch the clip of Stand Out by Tye Tribett. We even have some new balck light puppets for sale. Visit us on youtube by searching howitiller.com or our site at www.howitiller.com/instructional.htm and have fun perusing through our site.

Spring Tour in California

Well, it's almost that time again, but we are planning our spring tour with the full length play called , "The Opening of the Hand" 4 actors play 16 characters as the script takes us from the sandy shore of the Sea of Galilee, to Calvary and the gate just outside the Temple in Jerusalem.

If you want a small cast script for your Easter season...visit us at www.howitiller.com/Easter.htm and scroll down until you see the full length scripts.

Dance of the Broken Bones
Mind and Heart
Spectacle
The Great White Pearl
The Opening of the Hand

There are many snall cast Easter sketches as well that you can download for this year.

Sunday School Conference in Ohio

I'm not a children's evangelist, but I teach a lot of Sunday School Conferences to encourage SS teachers to come alive with their story telling, acting and illustrations.

We'll be in the Columbus area in March to teach. So, you may want to think about having us come you way...either to your local church or SS Conference. Reach us at howitiller@aol.com or at 918-760-3561.

Easter Play or Drama called The Encounter

Looking for a moving yet, user friendly script with music and song interpretation?

Then The Encounter might just be what you are looking for. It is a compilation of professionally written sketches that uniquely weave a wonderful story with 3 chosen songs.

On My Cross By FFH
Crosses and Crowns By Natalie Grant
Unto the Lamb By the Hope Project

All these can be downloaded from i-tunes.

Visit our site at www.howitiller.com/Easter.htm for more information

You are not out of time yet, but Easter is a week earlier this year so don't wait too long.
Hey! You want us to help. I have a couple weeks that are still open if you want help and an incredible drama weekend. You can email us at howitiller@aol.com or call us at 918-760-3561.
We'll help to make Easter happen for you.