Applying the Four Principles

In addition to earnest and prayerful consideration, the Four Principles are applied to the theatre ministry as lines of questioning or analysis. When a script, production, or stage element is analyzed through the Four Principles, its ability to fulfill the Mission Statement is revealed. For virtually any aspect of the theatre ministry, the Four Principles are applied by asking, for example:

Matthew (believers):

How does this promote spiritual growth for a believer?

What impact / effect does this have on a saved person?

How can this be presented to best reach the believer?

Mark (unbelievers):

How does this profess salvation to the unbeliever?

What impact / effect does this have on an unsaved person?

How can this be presented to best reach the unbeliever?

Luke (factual):

How does this provide scripturally correct facts and doctrine?

What kind of scriptural support does this provide / need?

How can this be presented to best explain scriptural truth?

John (emotional):

How does this produce an emotional response with positive effects?

What type and magnitude of effect is intended by this?

How can this be presented to best reach an audience emotionally?

These are intended to be very general guidelines. Each script, production, or stage element must be examined individually in detail. Not everything is intended to fully express each of the Four Principles, and some will have different effects or different goals. Using the Four Principles starts the process of choosing or fine-tuning according to sound spiritual goals.

Statement of Purpose

Spotlight is a drama-oriented outreach ministry of Grace Baptist Church, committed to spreading the gospel through all forms of theatrical arts, in accordance with our statement of faith and the following principles:

· Principle of Matthew: A proving gospel written to God’s chosen people. Spotlight exists to speak to believers in Christ; encouraging them to further growth, re-dedication, and service; providing scripturally sound means to promote Christian faith.

· Principle of Mark: An action-oriented gospel written to gentiles. Spotlight exists to reach unbelievers; encouraging them towards a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; breaking down barriers between the lost and the Lord.

· Principle of Luke: An informative gospel written to a fellow believer. Spotlight exists to teach and equip Christians; both in the tenets of our faith, and in the theatrical arts; to provide a learning-teaching environment.

· Principle of John: A philosophical gospel full of emotion. Spotlight exists to encourage, uplift, motivate and reach Christian and non-Christian alike; to promote scriptural principles and present Biblical truths in effective, impacting ways.

Though written for differing audiences and with differing methods, all four gospels share the same purpose. In this way, our four cornerstone purposes, and all forms of theatre as used by Spotlight, have the primary goal of promoting the saving, life-changing “good news” of Jesus Christ.

Mission Statement

Spotlight is a theatre ministry of the Grace Baptist Church, upholding its statement of faith, and working both independently and in support of all other church ministries. Spotlight seeks to achieve evangelical, revival, and outreach results through all appropriate forms of theatre. Using the unique and powerful effects of theatre, Spotlight seeks to reach the minds and hearts of believer and unbeliever alike, to shine a light upon Christ that He may be glorified.

Mathew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.”

The Spotlight

The spotlight is an important tool in theatre. The same principles that make a spotlight useful for dramatics apply to Christians.

· The spotlight is meant to let a light shine from the inside out. Christians are commanded to do the same (Matthew 5:16).

· A spotlight that does not shine is cold and dark; it does not fulfill the role its creator intended for it. Living a lifestyle empty of Christ is not what God intended for mankind (John 10:10).

· Spotlights are, by design, intended to draw attention to someone else. Christians ought to focus all praise and attention on Jesus (Galatians 6:14).

· Spotlights reach through the darkness, illuminating so that the audience may see. Christians should provide a voice of truth in a world full of lies (1 Peter 3:15).

· Neither color, size, shape, or strength matters, so long as the light given by the spotlight meets the needs at hand. Christians of all genders, ages, races, abilities and experiences have a place in serving God (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).

As a spotlight strives to reveal someone greater than itself, so we seek to use all forms of theatre to draw people to knowledge of, salvation through, and peace in Jesus Christ.

Why a Theatre Ministry?

Theatre, in all of its many forms, has a powerful capacity to reach people. Drama has an innate ability to reach through intellectual and emotional barriers in ways that written or spoken words sometimes cannot. The success of the GBC passion plays is evidence of the powerful influence of dramatics on the human spirit. Often, scriptural truths presented in this way are more easily grasped; an emotional or humorous component further enhances the impact of the message.

A message is most effective when it is conveyed through as many means as possible. Grace Baptist uses preaching, music, and missions work as tools to spread the Gospel. A drama-based ministry provides the church with yet another effective tool to reach others for Christ. A theatre ministry encourages church members to action by creating service opportunities. The broad scope of theatre arts gives every church member the chance to take an active role in evangelism. This ministry is particularly open to wide age, experience, interest and ability groups.

The applications of a theatre ministry for a church such as Grace Baptist are innumerable. Short skits can highlight Sunday School lessons, or bring scriptural passages to life in a worship service. Small productions can be used as ministry supports for virtually any church group. Previously filmed segments can cover a wide range of spiritual and scriptural topics. More involved productions, such as the passion play, provide the ability to reach the lost in large numbers. A group of prepared, willing Christians can provide Grace Baptist Church with nearly limitless dramatics support.

2 Corinthians 10:5 calls us to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Drama can encapsulate thoughts and ideas in ways that no other form of communication can. A ministry that uses theatre as an evangelical tool has the ability to win souls for Christ, bring the backslidden back to God, and solidify the faith of believers.