Change In The Church

What if we do the unpardonable in our church.
We . . gasp . . . make changes! . . For instance if we move the piano from the right to the left side of the stage.
Would the congregation allow it?
Poking fun at resistance to change, (even the slightest change), in the church.

Cast: 4 m or f

• Nell – waitress
• Pastor Fred
• Pastor Tom
• Pastor Sharon

Bible Reference: Isaiah 43:19

Set: standard

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

Lighting: standard

SFX: none

Props:

• tables and chairs
• cell phone
• magazines
• cups, creamers, lemon slices

Costumes: standard

Special Instructions: none

Time: 10

Sample script:

[Fred enters, holding a magazine. He sits at a table. Nell, the waitress, approaches.]

NELL:
Good morning, sir, welcome to the Bluebird Café. May I get you something to drink?

FRED:
I'll have my usual—a cup of coffee, please.

NELL:
Coming right up. Cream and sugar?

FRED:
No sugar. Give me two creams on the side.

NELL:
I can add a double cream for you, sir.

FRED (firmly):
No, Nell. I want my usual—the cream on the side. I’ll add it myself.

NELL (raising eyebrows):
As you wish, sir.

[Sharon and Tom enter.]

TOM:
Hi Pastor Fred, good morning.

FRED:
Pastor Sharon. Pastor Tom.

NELL:
Wow, you pastors are sure being formal with each other this morning! What can I get for you, Pastor Sharon, Pastor Tom?

TOM:
I’ll have my usual—that’s...

NELL:
Don’t tell me. Orange Pekoe tea with a slice of lemon.
And for you, Pastor Sharon?

SHARON:
Please, Nell, just call me Sharon.
And I’ll have a decaf coffee, please.

[Nell exits.]

TOM:
So, how are things at your church, Pastor Fred?

FRED:
Same as always, Pastor Tom. Holding the course is what we do at First Church of Topeka.
What about at Tenth Street Church?

TOM:
Same. At Tenth Street, we try to keep things... the same. The usual.
And Sharon, what about Second Avenue Fellowship?

SHARON:
Well, it’s exciting—lots of changes.

[Fred and Tom react with alarm.]

FRED & TOM (in unison):
Changes?

TOM:
You’re doing... changes?

FRED:
In the... church? Wow!

SHARON:
We installed new carpets throughout the church.

TOM (smug):
Oh, that kind of change—carpets.
We installed new carpets as well.

SHARON:
I like the bright new colors.
And I love the exciting new pattern.

FRED (terrified):
You chose... new colors?

TOM (also terrified):
And new patterns?

SHARON:
And we redesigned our stage in the sanctuary.

FRED:
You mean the people in the pews allowed you to change the stage area?

SHARON:
I included the congregation in the planning, and they’re all for it.

FRED:
Wow... That would never happen in my church.

TOM:
Mine either.

FRED:
Don’t get me wrong—I’m all for change...

TOM:
Absolutely! I’m a champion of change...
It’s just that my congregation has always wanted the usual.
Wanted things to stay the way they’ve always been.

FRED:
Exactly! So... change needs to come slowly.

TOM:
We’re moving the piano from the left side of our stage... forty feet over to the right.

FRED:
A bold move, Tom!

TOM:
We have a plan.
We’re going to move the piano... in stages.

SHARON:
Stages?

TOM:
Yep. We’re going to move the piano... half an inch... every month.
The congregation will never even notice the piano has been moved.

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