Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 6, 1995 TAG: 9504180016
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Slaughter, minister of music at Bonsack Baptist Church, believes he's found the key to doing that- consultant Ev Robertson.
For 20 years, Robertson was senior drama specialist for the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board, providing advice to Southern Baptist congregations around the country.
A couple of years ago, staff cuts at the agency left Robertson with a retirement package, but no job. He began free-lancing, sharing his experience in professional theater and as a college drama professor with churches in exchange for expenses and a flexible honorarium.
Slaughter contacted Robertson a year ago, shortly after staging his second Easter pageant at Bonsack Baptist. Although Slaughter was pleased with the result of his congregation's efforts, he wanted even higher quality.
``We have a responsibility, when you're doing it for the Lord,'' Slaughter said. ``We want to do our absolute best.'' For him, that meant getting some advice specifically on the dramatic presentation. He felt competent fine-tuning the musical aspects of the production, Slaughter said, but wanted guidance with staging, choreography and dramatic direction.
Enter Robertson.
Bonsack Baptist is fortunate to have Slaughter and so many talented members who already formed the core of a high-quality production, Robertson said.
Even more than in a secular performance, though, the performers in religious drama ``want to move into another level of excellence,'' Robertson said.
He contends that many church productions rival or exceed the quality of their community theaters. ``It's not just bathrobes and flip-flops any more.''
He attributed the higher standards and achievements to supernatural assistance.
``The Lord gets involved. Things happen that we can't make happen by ourselves.''
Robertson, who got to see a video of last year's production, worked with Slaughter and senior pastor Robert Moore to outline a new script, which has evolved over the year, the men said.
The story of Christ doesn't change, Slaughter pointed out, but this year's play will have a ``whole new script and new music. It will also be a lot better staged'' as a result of Robertson's input, he said.
Setting things up is a little easier this year, Slaughter said, because the volunteer crew can reuse the stage from last year and because so many people now have experience in putting the production on.
Almost 200 members are involved in preparing and performing, he said, including many of the 60 new members the church has added in the past year.
Church members again this year are participating in an evangelistic campaign to try to bring non-Christian or non-churchgoing friends to the play. There will not be an altar call, per se, but audience members will be offered spiritual counseling after the performances.
Preparation for the pageant almost has a tone of revival for the congregation as well, Slaughter said, as members participate in special prayer sessions and devotional exercises.
There will be five performances of the pageant between April 13 and April 16. Free tickets to the pageant were going fast, but information is available by calling the church at 977-5701.
Roanoke's Christian television station, WEFC, will produce a video of the pageant that will be sold for $20 a copy afterward. Proceeds will be used to help offset the costs of the pageant, as will an offering taken at each performance.
by CNB