ΤΟ B. L. B. WHOSE CONSTANT COOPERATION AND EARNEST ENCOURAGEMENT HAVE INSPIRED THE MESSAGE OF THIS BOOK AND TO The Scores of Young People IN MANY CHURCHES IN MANY STATES THROUGH WHOSE ENTHUSIASTIC COOPERATION THE POSSIBILITIES OF "WORSHIP IN DRAMA" HAVE BEEN DEMONSTRATED FOREWORD BELIEVING that "worship in drama " is not only possible and practicable, but intensely desirable, the author ventures to embody in the following chapters some of the results of the delightful experiences of participating in such worship in many churches in a number of States. The suggestions which follow are not the theoretical imaginings of an idealist, but the result of very practical experiences. In the course of a decade, in all kinds of churches, in city and country, in small town and rural districts, the principles mentioned in the following chapters have been tested. The development of interest in Religious Drama in this period of ten years is little short of marvelous. And the development of available material for the use of church-drama groups has been rapid and various. Sometimes the development has been strong in its emphasis on the importance of right technique, sometimes on the appreciation of the material. And in this development many courses of study have been prepared, many lectures given, several books have been written. But the writer believes that there is need for more emphasis on the worship side of the dramatic presentation in the church. If this is omitted or neglected, perfect stage technique will not make even a Biblical drama what it ought to be. It is possible to worship truly in and through drama, and this book is sent on its mission in the hope that a constantly increasing number of young people may discover and appreciate that fact, and that in some small measure these chapters and dramatic material may help toward that end. CHARLES ARTHUR BOYD. |