Free speech
Drama gives people the freedom to speak out for the Gospel; the opportunity to share and encourage others. Becky and Erick McGraw ruffled some feathers when they started A.C.T.S. (Actors Committed to Service) at Decatur Independent Baptist Church several years ago. A.C.T.S. started with "reader's theatre" a dramatic form where the actors perform in a stationary position - facing the audience - while reading and acting out their parts.
It was a big success. The congregation came alive with excitement. And within a year, A.C.T.S. was performing full scale drama's complete with sets, and costumes.
To understand the significance of their success, it's important to understand Independent - Appalachian Mountain - Baptist churches are among the North American denominations who consider `preaching' to be ordained: The only means by which God intends to reach the world with the Gospel. Few other mediums are ever used in traditional evangelism.
Needless to say, Independent Baptist preachers tend to occupy themselves with evangelistic outreach and making house. Their congregations are composed of hard working, stoic folk. Emotionally contained blue collar families aren't - for the most part - consumers of the arts.
These practical folk are precious in God's sight and their pastor - Dr. Bill Boyd - applauds the "different beauty" they enjoy. Appalachian Mountain people love the outdoors, hunting and fishing and, yes, even gardening. County fair's and 4-H clubs are alive and well there. Horse and dog shows are much more attractive to them than drama. They're into gospel music. And like many churches across North America, they feel that money spent on "props" would be better reserved for their bus ministry or to send out missionaries or to purchase Bibles for evangelism: Drama hasn't always been so well received in churches.
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