The use of dramatic elements within the context of Sunday worship dates to the “Quem Quaeritis”—meaning “Whom do you seek”—which first appeared in the Easter liturgy in the early 10th century. The Quem Quaeritis was a brief dramatic presentation of the moment when the three Marys came to Jesus’ tomb and were met by an angel.
Question [by the Angels]: Whom do ye seek in the sepulcher, O followers of Christ?
Answer [by the Marys]: Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified, O heavenly ones.
The Angels: He is not here; He is risen, just as He foretold. Go, announce that He is risen from the sepulcher.
—John Gassner, editor, Medieval and Tudor Drama
This simple addition to the liturgy gave rise to the rebirth of Western theatre, which had largely disappeared after the fall of the Roman Empire. This small creative spark grew into increasingly elaborate liturgical dramas. Throughout various periods in church history, the use of theatrical or dramatic elements has fluctuated in popularity. However, a consistent throughline in the mission of the Church has always been the need to effectively tell the story of the Scriptures and the abundant life available through faith in Jesus Christ.
In an increasingly disembodied culture, I believe that using embodied and theatrical storytelling techniques will continue to be a powerful tool for the Church—both to edify the faith and life of the congregation and to effectively reach those outside the Body of Christ. Perhaps your home church hasn’t been in the habit of using dramatic or theatrical storytelling, and the thought of adding it seems daunting. Or maybe your church has regularly used these tools, but they’re starting to feel worn out or tacky. The ways that theatrical storytelling can be incorporated into a Sunday worship service are as vast as the creativity of God. To help jumpstart your own creative process, I want to focus on two areas.
1. Dramatic Reading of Scripture
How many times have you heard someone read from the Bible—a book we believe to be living and active—only to find the reading anything but alive? I know I’ve experienced it plenty. Sometimes, when we approach the reading of Scripture during a Sunday service, we confuse seriousness with reverence, and in doing so, we make the book that is the foundation of our eternal hope seem incredibly dull. Breaking out of this mold is something anyone can do—and anyone can teach.
Tips for Dramatic Readings:
- Meet with the reader. Analyze the passage together and help them practice reading it aloud. (Bonus points if they practice in the actual space where they’ll be reading!)
- Analyze the passage like a script.
- Who is speaking?
- Who is the speaker talking to?
- What does the speaker want?
- Are there any poetic or literary elements—such as vivid imagery or alliteration—that can enhance the reading?
2. Monologues or Sketches
Incorporating a monologue or sketch into a Sunday worship service isn’t for everyone. As you consider adding something that requires a bit more planning and creativity, here are some initial guiding questions:
- Why are we adding this? Why do we want to include a monologue, sketch, or heightened storytelling element in this specific service? (This isn’t to discourage you, but the “why” will help inform the “how.”)
- Do we have people with these skills? Do we currently have members of the congregation who possess these skills? If not, how can we cultivate them?
- Will we be purchasing or commissioning a script, or writing an original piece?
For many, the thought of a monologue or sketch may conjure painful memories of corny performances. A good guiding principle to remember when adding dramatic elements is this: the art of storytelling is best suited for asking questions, not answering them.
The Church can have an obsession with urgency—something that has an important role in the life of the Christian. However, if you were to evaluate any piece of Christian theatre or cinema that seems painfully awkward, I would venture to say it’s likely because the piece is trying to urgently answer questions rather than ask them in ways that cause the viewer to ponder truth and perspectives more deeply than they had before.
Final Thoughts
The final element that I believe is essential when incorporating theatrical or dramatic elements into a Sunday service is having a clear plan for how the piece fits into the service overall. Whether it’s something simple or more complex, the unfortunate truth is that the impact of a singular piece can be greatly diminished by poor transitions. Any added element should support and seamlessly fit into the intention of the service as a whole. A clunky transition can make even a well-done reading or sketch feel like an awkward afterthought.
Storytelling has always been central to the life and mission of the Church. With thoughtful planning, a spirit of excellence, and maybe just a little bit of bravery, I think you will find that the addition of these more theatrical elements at appropriate moments throughout the year will edify and stretch the faith of those who witness it, as well as those who help bring it to life. And in doing so, we honor the sacred story we are called to share.
and be part of a movement where young leaders embrace their gifts for the glory of God, for the good of the church. Choose an artistic track that inspires you and engage in toolbox classes, including those led by Animate 2025 Spoken Word Artist Jonathan Skaggs.
Jonathan Skaggs is a performer, writer, and producer originally from Sanibel Island, Florida. He holds a degree in Musical Theatre from 色虎视频 and a certificate in Worship Leadership from the Center for Worship and the Arts. Jonathan has toured nationally as an actor and singer in both theatrical productions and Christian storytelling events. As Creative Director for GENERATE by YM360, he wrote, produced, and directed three touring shows seen by over 30,000 people. He also writes and produces commercial film projects, including Ride On, which premiered in 2025. A lifelong churchgoer, Jonathan discovered his passion for storytelling early and now seeks to inspire young artists to do the same. He currently serves as Director of Enrollment Management for 色虎视频’s School of the Arts—but his greatest joys are spending time with his wife and son.
For further reading on the role of spoken word in worship, explore these related reflections from the CWA blog: