SermonStudio

Theme

Sometimes the wise and learned are confounded by spiritual truths and they are revealed to those who are trusting enough to believe Jesus' words.

Summary

Barney Willis, a young college student, is supposed to speak on the "Future of the Church" but can't seem to get started. The reason is revealed by his family.

Playing Time: 10 minutes

Setting: Your church

Props: Guitar

Costumes: Contemporary

Time: The present

Cast: BARNEY WILLIS -- a college student

REV. WILLIS --his father

MRS. WILLIS -- Barney's mother

RUTH WILLIS -- Barney's sister.

BARNEY: (ENTERS WITH GUITAR AND CROSSES TO CENTER STAGE. RETURNS TO GET STOOL AND RETURNS TO CENTER. SITS ON STOOL AND STRUMS) I don't know what to tell you. I'm not a singer. Can't even play this thing, really. I do this for my own entertainment. You know, it helps to pass the time. I'm in college. I don't have a major yet. What I mean is, not really. Not now. I've got several majors, really. I just can't seem to get interested in any of them. You know. But what I mean is, I really get interested in something but it doesn't last long, you know. I really admire someone who has a major. I'm a senior, or at least I should be. I really was supposed to have graduated a year ago, but with changing majors and all, well, I kinda got messed up somewhere, you know. I really don't think I want to graduate anyway. I don't know what I want to be. You know. (HE STOPS STRUMMING)

Hey, let me tell you why I'm here. I'm supposed to talk to you about the future of the Church. (HE STRUMS AWHILE AND THEN STOPS) "The Future of the Church!" (LONG PAUSE. HE STRUMS AGAIN)

Why me? I just can't seem to get started, you know. Hey, I bet you didn't expect to see me up here playing a guitar, huh? Well, I didn't either, but the guitar makes me feel better. I can sorta hide behind it, you know. I guess I was asked to speak about the future of the church because I'm a religion major, among other majors. Or at least I was a religion major. Officially I still am. But I decided to change. Anyway, as far as the computer at school is concerned, I still am -- a religion major, that is. Anyway, I was asked to speak here, before I decided to drop religion, as a major, that is.

Well, here goes: (HE STOPS STRUMMING)
"The Future of the Church!" (LONG PAUSE. HE STRUMS AGAIN)

Hey, I forgot to tell you my name. It's Barney Willis. My nickname is "Slice." I used to run track. In high school, not college. The guys on the team gave me that name. It was meant as a compliment at the time. Now I don't know. I suppose I should get to my speech. It's not very interesting.

Oh, well, here goes: (HE STOPS STRUMMING)
"The Future of the Church!" (LONG PAUSE. HE STRUMS AGAIN)

You know, I wasn't even supposed to make this speech, but Dr. Barlow, he's head of the religion department, he asked me. It seems that the singing Hunters couldn't make it. He said a cold has got most of them. You know how a cold goes through a family. Especially traveling in that bus, or camper, or whatever it is. I felt quite proud to be asked. To replace the singing Hunters, that is. I saw them once in Pittsburgh. They were holding a whole week of meetings. I even heard the five-year-old preach. Pretty good. (HE STOPS STRUMMING)


It was right after that I got to thinking about changing my major. (LONG PAUSE. HE STRUMS AGAIN) Five years old. Really preached. Sang too. I can't do either very well. But here I am. (HE STOPS STRUMMING)
Funny when you think about it. I'm replacing a singing and preaching five-year-old with a cold. (LONG PAUSE. HE STRUMS AGAIN)

You know something? I know a lot of preachers that act like they're five years old. Well, never mind. Let's get on with it. (HE STOPS STRUMMING) "The Future of the Church!"
(LONG PAUSE. HE STRUMS AGAIN)

It is important, isn't it? The Church, I mean. Well, isn't it? I don't know. My father, he's a minister, he always says it's important.

REV. WILLIS: (ENTERS AND STANDS APART AS IF IN BARNEY'S MEMORY. BARNEY STOPS STRUMMING) The church is important, Barnabas. (HE STRUMS AGAIN)
The Church is an institution, Barnabas, and it will continue to be a vital force in the world. As an institution of great significance it helps to strengthen the lives of millions of people ... Now, Barnabas, about your grades ... (BARNEY STOPS STRUMMING)

If you don't improve those grades, Barnabas, I'll have to take some drastic steps to help you. (PAUSE)
Barnabas, are you listening to me? Well, why don't you say something? (PAUSE)

Barnabas, do you realize I'm the pastor of a twelve hundred member church? I doubled the membership of that church in ten years. And as their spiritual father I can talk to any one of them about their religious life. They all respect me. Why? Because they realize that I have the training and the background that can demand respect. The experience I've had proves that I know what I'm talking about. Do you know, Barnabas, that I have three degrees? That means something. I counsel people who come to me with various and sundry problems and I solve those problems for them. It's what I've been trained to do. Now tell me, Barnabas, with all this knowledge and experience and success that I have attained, why is it I cannot talk to you? (HE STRUMS AGAIN)
Will you cease that stupid playing! You know it makes me nervous. (BARNEY STOPS STRUMMING)

Thank you. Now, about those grades, Barnabas, they are not up to the standards that your mother and I have set for you. When I went to school, as you know, I was Phi Beta Kappa. I was also president of my fraternity and as you know, I was an outstanding athlete. Now, at the same time I was engaged in youth work for the Church. I was doing my part, Barnabas. Can you honestly say the same about your own contribution to society? Can you? Of course you can't. Your mother and I want to be proud of you, Barnabas, but we cannot be proud of you if you aren't someone to be proud of, can we? (PAUSE)

Barnabas, look at your brother, Jerome. Now, there's a son your mother and I can be proud of. I know you are proud of him too, aren't you? (HE STRUMS AGAIN)

Your brother has taken a firm grasp on his life, Barnabas, and is moving toward a great future in the Church. He now has his own church and I'm sure will do great things and have a long and profitable career. We want to be proud of you in the same way, Barnabas. You want to be successful, don't you? Of course you do. Well, you have to get those grades up. Study. Apply yourself. You can be successful like I am. Like Jerome. The Church has a future, Barnabas, it certainly does and your career in the Church can be just as successful. (PAUSE)

Barnabas, what did you ever lack as a child? I provided all you ever needed and wanted. I was a success in my field. What did you ever lack? (REV. WILLIS EXITS. BARNEY STOPS STRUMMING)

BARNEY: What did I ever lack? I don't know. I really don't know. I can't put my finger on it ... (HE STRUMS AGAIN) ... but something. Well, anyway, you see, my father thinks the Church is important. I don't know. It is important to him. I just couldn't get interested. Anyway, I have to start this speech. (BARNEY STOPS STRUMMING) "The Future of the Church." Do you know what? I'm not doing so well up here ... (HE STRUMS AGAIN)

Aw, shoot, the head of the religion department knew I wouldn't do so well, I guess. I'm doing as well up here as I do in class. Anyway, I guess the Church is growing. I mean, isn't it? It must be, my mom is so busy with her work ... her church work. Well, I guess it must be growing.

MRS. WILLIS: (ENTERS AND STANDS APART. BARNEY STOPS STRUMMING) Not now, Barnabas, dear, I'm going to be late for the luncheon. Now, where is my appointment book? I think I have something for tonight, but I can't remember what it is. Well, I'll just have to look for it later.

Good-bye, Barnabas, If you want something to eat it's in the refrigerator. Maybe some of that leftover lamb ... (SHE EXITS. HE STRUMS AGAIN)

BARNEY: That's my mom. Leftover lamb. She's very busy, as you can see. So, as I was saying, that must be an indicator of the growth ...

MRS. WILLIS: (YELLING FROM OFFSTAGE) Barnabas! (BARNEY STOPS STRUMMING. MRS. WILLIS REENTERS)
Barnabas, I almost forgot, if Mary calls, tell her that the sloppy joes are all right for Friday night. Bye. (SHE EXITS. HE STRUMS AGAIN)

BARNEY: Mary who? Oh, I guess any Mary who calls. Anyway, you can see what I mean. She is busy. So, that must mean that the Church is growing, right? It's growing all right. You should hear my dad. (REV. WILLIS ENTERS) Oh, I forgot. You already have. We don't want to go through that again, do we. (REV. WILLIS EXITS) I've got to do my talk. (BARNEY STOPS STRUMMING) "The Future of the Church."

It's funny, when I was preparing this speech, I got to wondering, does the Church have a future? I wonder ... (HE STRUMS AGAIN) I was thinking ... maybe the only reason the Church has lasted as long as it has is that people that make their living at it, I mean the ministers and others, well, maybe they keep it going just so they can continue to make their living.

RUTH WILLIS: (ENTERS WISTFULLY HUMMING A TUNE) Hi, Barn.

BARNEY: Hi, Ruthey. (HE STOPS STRUMMING)

RUTH WILLIS: Whatcha doin'? Practicin' a new song?

BARNEY: Very funny. You know I can't play.

RUTH WILLIS: Well, what then?

BARNEY: Well, I was just thinking about the Church.

RUTH WILLIS: You know what? I just made up a new song. Want to hear it?

BARNEY: Of course.

RUTH WILLIS: You know, Barn, if you ever learn to play that thing, you can play my songs.

BARNEY: Maybe some day I'll take lessons.

RUTH WILLIS: You could play and I could sing.

BARNEY: Let's hear your song.

RUTH WILLIS: It goes like this:

There is light,

In heaven there is light;

There is light,

In heaven there is light.

BARNEY: That's nice Ruthey, but ...

RUTH WILLIS: There's more. It's got two parts to it. The other part goes like this:

Jesus, Jesus is the light.

He's the light.

Jesus, Jesus is the light.

He's the light.
Then you put the two parts together. Let's you and I do it, okay?

BARNEY: All right. (THEY MAKE A FEW ATTEMPTS, BARNEY FOLLOWING RUTH'S LEAD AND THEN FINALLY GET IT RIGHT)

RUTH WILLIS: That's fun.

BARNEY: I like it, Ruthey. It's so easy, and it's very pretty. I've got to get back to work.

RUTH WILLIS: Homework?

BARNEY: No. Just trying to get my thoughts in order.

RUTH WILLIS: You're not getting like Daddy, are you?

BARNEY: I don't know. What do you mean?

RUTH WILLIS: I mean, whenever I want to talk to him he's trying to put his thoughts in order. Just don't get like him, that's all. See ya later. I've got another verse. (SHE EXITS. HE STRUMS AGAIN)

BARNEY: Well, I better get back to it. Uh, well, here goes ... (HE STOPS STRUMMING) "The Future of the Church." Normally I would have something to say, but I just can't seem to get started.

What can I say? I suppose you're getting a little impatient with me. I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to leave. I'll guarantee you I've wanted to leave ever since I got here. If you want to leave, just slip out. No one will mind. Certainly not me. I won't tell a soul.

Maybe there's not much to say about the future of the Church. I've got this friend. He dropped out of school and now he's a park ranger. He loves it. Close to nature and all that. He says he's close to God. Well, anyway, he goes to this church and the people just love each other. Nothing special about it, not big or anything, but the people take care of each other and they honor Jesus. It's nice. Maybe I'll visit sometime. Who knows?

RUTH WILLIS: (ENTERS) Hi, Barn. You still here?

BARNEY: Sure. Some of the audience left, though.

RUTH WILLIS: Here's the other verse.

BARNEY: Let's hear it.

RUTH WILLIS: There is a love,

On earth there is a love,


There is a love,

On earth there is a love.
Let's sing it together. Want to?

BARNEY: You bet. (THEY DO AND IT SOUNDS GOOD)

BARNEY: I like it, Ruthey, but I want some time ...

RUTH WILLIS: To get your thoughts together. Come on, Barn, I want to sing. I want you to sing with me.

BARNEY: But, Ruthey, look at all those people out there. They came to hear me speak about the future of the Church, and they're still here. I can't let them down.

RUTH WILLIS: Well, hurry up and do it then, and then come sing with me. (SHE EXITS)

BARNEY: "The Future of the Church." I'm tired of talking about it. I want to go do something about it. (AFTER BARNEY EXITS WE HEAR RUTH AND BARNEY SINGING TOGETHER)