Church weddings, funerals, and most Sunday services reflect the values and dramas of their communities, even when the ministers are the main or sole actors. This point is illustrated by examples ranging from American television masses to the Zairean three-hour services in the Congo. Of greatest interest to readers might be the Sunday services at ordinary parishes, which also range from friendly but uninspiring to innovative and inviting. There are also two exceptionally vital churches analyzed here: an evangelical church in the Pentecostal tradition and a social justice parish in the tradition of Martin Luther King Jr. Today one can hardly buy an item in a store or on the Internet without being asked for an evaluation, yet church services are seldom evaluated. There can be no improvement without evaluation. This book proposes a method of evaluation in eight steps that must be rigorously scientific and at the same time offer a vision for spiritual growth. The prophet Elijah found God in earthquakes and fire, but most people find mystery through art, music, rhythm, chanting, expressive readings, evocative rituals, and enlightened homilies. Today people expect “mystagogy” rather than routine performances. Mystagogy can be learned and improved through evaluation, to which this book desires to make a major contribution.

Church weddings, funerals, and most Sunday services reflect the values and dramas of their communities, even when the ministers are the main or sole actors. This point is illustrated by examples ranging from American television masses to the Zairean three-hour services in the Congo. Of greatest interest to readers might be the Sunday services at ordinary parishes, which also range from friendly but uninspiring to innovative and inviting. There are also two exceptionally vital churches analyzed here: an evangelical church in the Pentecostal tradition and a social justice parish in the tradition of Martin Luther King Jr. Today one can hardly buy an item in a store or on the Internet without being asked for an evaluation, yet church services are seldom evaluated. There can be no improvement without evaluation. This book proposes a method of evaluation in eight steps that must be rigorously scientific and at the same time offer a vision for spiritual growth. The prophet Elijah found God in earthquakes and fire, but most people find mystery through art, music, rhythm, chanting, expressive readings, evocative rituals, and enlightened homilies. Today people expect "mystagogy" rather than routine performances. Mystagogy can be learned and improved through evaluation, to which this book desires to make a major contribution.

Slice of life dramas are a tool to capture the imagination of viewers and communicate good news by telling stories that mirror real life. Slice of Life Worship Dramas (Volume 1) contains fifteen short, ready-to-use drama scripts that focus on moments in time and emotions to which people can relate. Themes in volume 1 include second chances, courage, doing good, forgiveness, love, spiritual growth, anxiety, kindness, God’s provision, truth, and more. The DVD included in this book contains live performances of twelve of the dramas, as recorded by the Wooddale Church media staff. Slice of Life Worship Dramas also contains helpful hints to assist in launching a drama ministry, working with church leaders, building a team, choosing scripts, and running effective rehearsals. "Read these scripts, and you will be impressed. Hear these stories, and your heart will be touched. Experience these dramas on the stage, and you will be changed."Leith Anderson, PastorWooddale Church, Eden Prairie, MN "These dramas contain a rare combination of humor, reflection, insight, and development of theological thought that fit in almost any worship context."Dan Collison, Worship Arts PastorWooddale Church, Eden Prairie, MN"Great dramas for worship services are like appetizers before a special meal. Slice of Life Worship Dramas is filled with humorous, powerful, keen dramas that set the table for the main course. I have used many of these stories for my sermons."Joel K. Johnson, Senior PastorWestwood Community Church, Excelsior, MN"Touching our emotions in a short drama is difficult, but Shelly has mastered the art. Slice of life dramas help people feel the truths they long to understand. These short dramas are authentic and create beautiful pictures for the pastor to develop with the sermon."Mark Hostetler, Director of Crosswalk MinistriesCross of Glory Lutheran Church, Brooklyn Center, MN

Christian Drama for the Worship Service offers various Christian drama forms appropriate for worship and entertainment. Included are dialogues, monologues, mimes, performed narrations, interpretative readings including reflections and poems, reader's theatre, and one-act plays. All have been produced. Also offered are essays about the nature of theatre, theatre in the church setting, and essays on directing.

Slice of life dramas are a tool to capture the imagination of viewers and communicate good news by telling stories that mirror real life. Slice of Life Worship Dramas (Volume 2) contains fifteen short, ready-to-use drama scripts that focus on moments in time and emotions to which people can relate. Themes in volume 2 include God’s power, sin, transformation, temptation, integrity, outreach, patience, missions, trust, grief, and more. The DVD included in this book contains live performances of twelve of the dramas, as recorded by the Wooddale Church media staff. Slice of Life Worship Dramas also contains helpful hints to assist in launching a drama ministry, working with church leaders, building a team, choosing scripts, and running effective rehearsals. "Read these scripts, and you will be impressed. Hear these stories, and your heart will be touched. Experience these dramas on the stage, and you will be changed."Leith Anderson, PastorWooddale Church, Eden Prairie, MN "These dramas contain a rare combination of humor, reflection, insight, and development of theological thought that fit in almost any worship context."Dan Collison, Worship Arts PastorWooddale Church, Eden Prairie, MN"Great dramas for worship services are like appetizers before a special meal. Slice of Life Worship Dramas is filled with humorous, powerful, keen dramas that set the table for the main course. I have used many of these stories for my sermons."Joel K. Johnson, Senior PastorWestwood Community Church, Excelsior, MN"Touching our emotions in a short drama is difficult, but Shelly has mastered the art. Slice of life dramas help people feel the truths they long to understand. These short dramas are authentic and create beautiful pictures for the pastor to develop with the sermon."Mark Hostetler, Director of Crosswalk MinistriesCross of Glory Lutheran Church, Brooklyn Center, MN

For parish leaders who want to turn their faith formation gatherings into fun and interactive teachable moments, this invaluable resource is a must-have. Its ninety-two short and easy-to-stage gospel plays can be reproduced for all parish catechetical gatherings.