Heart or Talent?

Which is more important: acting talent, or a heart for ministry?

No one can underestimate the value of a servant whose heart chases after God. When the heart is there, the Spirit is free to work. Egos are set aside, and the cross of Christ is put first in all things. When the heart is lacking, egos, busy schedules, and other priorities will quickly push your ministry to the backburner. Exalting of the self takes priority over exalting Christ.

But what if you have heart and no talent, no gift for acting? You might as well not do drama in the first place. Drama is useful because drama can reach where preaching cannot. When the skeptic, the seeker, or the doubter sees actors on stage, they relax. "I'm not going to be lectured; I'm going to be entertained." The mind is open, and the viewer sits up. "Here we are now, entertain us."

But if your actors are all heart and no talent, they'll sit back disappointed, mroe closed off than before. "Well, that was lame." You've lost them from the outset.

When you find people with the heart, cultivate the talent. Take them to acting classes and workshops. Study the craft of acting, and bring what you learn into rehearsals. Teach them about projecting their voices, portraying emotions, identifying character and subtext. Empower them to draw every ounce out of the 3-5 page script you downloaded of photocopied.

Odds are you won't have a lot of time to do this. None of us do. But make the time you have count. Make time to prepare for rehearsals. Plan ahead so you will come in prepared to teach and empower your actors, and not waste anyone's time. Know your crew, know what it takes to challenge them, and come ready to draw out the best in them.

The ones with heart will heed your challenge and rise to it. Give them and God your best, and they will do the same. Pursue excellence, so no person will have an excuse to not sit up and pay attention when you teach the gospel through drama.

We have a message that needs to be heard; do everything in your power to speak it well.