Although Hot Metal Faith's radical approach to communication has some positives, I find it difficult to see how it's possible to build a church just using such subjective experiences. Just from the descriptions given in this article, it seems the experiences they are developing are more about pop culture flavoured with Bible (sort-of) themes rather than the other way round. Perhaps it is just that the dramas mentioned seem to be poor examples where the ideas explored seem to be those NOT in the Bible rather than any clear expressions of truth.

Personally, when I read the related article, what I found more stirring was the pastors' willingness to engage with their immediate community simply through 'hanging out and talking.' Let's hope their conversations about the gospel are more unambigous than their drama ministry appears to be.

From Hugh's comment, it sounds to me like Hot Metal's dramas are like a Joel Osteen sermon in dramatic form ... culturally relevant themes with a bit of the Bible loosely thrown in. I mean, let's face it ... many pastors today craft their messages around their points and popular culture themes (how many churches do you know who are doing series on "Extreme Home Makeover" or the "Da Vinci Code") and then find some Scripture to sort of support their ideas??? So, why is doing this in the form of a drama any different?

well I see all sorts of learning as subjective experience, so that isn't an issue for me. But since people learn in so many different ways - restricting learning to drama form is just as harmful as only doing sermons. A variety of teaching methods should be employed to reach the vast variety of learning styles out there.

My gut reaction is, "Oh boy, he's gone off the deep-end", but then I realize that there are different ways of presenting a message that some people just wouldn't get if it was "read" to them.

I would say that I'm in agreement with Julie C., a variety of methods can be used to teach a message, but too much of one can be just as bad as a subject-wandering sermon.

While I could support the part where he is ministering to the street people, I question the church making the gospel the secondary part of the sermon. When the emphasis is on something of man's innovation such as drama, you introduce sin, and that is a recipe for problems.

If we continue to kow tow to modern media in everything we do in the name of reaching people with the gospel we are allowing a very pervasive and persuasive enemy into the gates.

I'm not sure many sermons are any less subjective than well-crafted drama that is rooted in the truest Story of all. After all, 3 alliterated points about, say, finances (complete with corresponding Bible verses) too often gives people tasks to do rather than inviting them to life in Christ. Writing the kind of drama that it sounds like the Hot Metal Bridge team is attempting means that not just one person (the pastor) is diving into the Word - but a whole community of writers and actors are working together to hear the message of the text and find ways to creatively share the message with others.

Though Jesus communicated in sermon form, much of what is captured in the gospels is teaching in the drama of story (parables), in dialogue (intense conversations with Pharisees), and in action (miracles). Church was never meant to be merely a classroom lecture hall.

That said, I'd hope that in other ways and places that the leadership team of Hot Metal Bridge is finding ways to help their young congregation discover the riches that are theirs in study, in prayer, in worship, in service.

Julie seems to be on to something. Learning styles do differ significantly from person-to-person. Seems like we should use every method available to us to communicate the message of the Christ and His cross.
We must, it seems to me, be sure that we are actually communicating the message, rather than just entertaining the masses. Discipleship seems to demand both teaching and learning. At some point we must all feast our eyes on the Scriptures in order to fix our eyes on Jesus.

My wife and I are the volunteer drama ministers at our church, and I am excited to read about drama being used in this way. The descriptions of the dramas are especially intriguing.

Obviously, the dramas need theological heft and understanding if anyone expects them to communicate the gospel. Regardless of their approach, if Hot Metal Bridge wants to know Christ, they will find Him. He doesn't hide when people seek him out--even if they do so in ways that aren't orthodox.

Also, churches need to remember what drama can and can not do.

I heard Ralph Winter speak last week. He is a strong Christian and one of the producers of the X-Men movies. He said, "Movies are not good at answering questions--they are good at asking questions."

When movies and drama sketches start answering questions they turn into didactic sermons.

Sermons make good sermons. Drama sketches don't.

Of course, I'm guessing Hot Metal Bridge still provides sermons and answers in more intimate settings like small groups.

Reading this, the scripture from 2 Timothy 4 comes to mind. 'Preach the Word! Be prepared in and out of season. Correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.'

My questions:

1.)With this new format where is the platform for Gods word to be preached?

2.) How do we instill a reverence, hunger and dependance on Gods word when a drama becomes the focal point of the teaching?

3.) Is the Word anyless capable to convict, powerful to impassion and ready to restore than it has been for the past centuries, thereby justifying its relegation from the worship programme?

Interesting, I must say. My first reaction like many was to brand them as heretics, but then I had to step back and look at it from a different angle. These guys are being culturally relevant. I know that my church uses drama to help communicate a message. My pastor often incorporates the two, using the in the sermon as an illustration, often participating himself.

The question I have to ask though is how far is too far? I don't know that there is a bright line that we can draw to say what is acceptable and what is not.

Anyone ever see a Billy Graham Association movie?
Of course! The didactic couched in the context of drama. Who was the guy who told parables most people didn't understand?

Every narrative has a point, a perspective, a world view. The vast majority of such in our culture exclude the triune God or true satanic forces. If these guys love Jesus and his Word, they can use this media to "preach the Word" as much as any. In fact, role-playing godly behavior is much more powerful than describing it.

So, evangelical, fundamentalist, or other lovers of Jesus, give it a try. Frankly, the biggest down-side is the work involved. Preaching is much easier.

I hate to rain on the parade here, but I find this pastor's "innovation" to be a dereliction of duty and responsibility to be a teacher of God's Word to the church. The pastor has sold out to culture. Drama has limits in being able to communicate doctrine and explain how to live out the Christian faith. Maybe this is harder "work" compared to preaching, but, having been a pastor, preaching is hard work if it is done right.

I'm not sure about the depth of this new preacher we're hearing about. Sure he draws big crowds and gives practical advice. I must admit he tells great stories that seem to apply to my life, but where's the scripture? I've only heard him use the great prophets a few times. So, I don't think this guy is really mistering the Truth. And his name is "Jesus." How wierd is that! Just storytelling and little scripture--his ministry will never last. And I hear he never went to seminary.

good conversation. with thoughtful and important questions. as one of the pastors at hot metal, i think it may be helpful to let you all in on a couple things.

although we do the drama thing, it is by far not the only thing. of course the publicity we have received has been because of the drama and so they choose to focus on that. we do unpack the word through teachings and sermons as well during the service.

as has been noted we have found that dramas can leave more questions than answers. sometimes it is good to let the questions linger but others times the gospel word clearly needs to be spoken into the brokeness of our community.

another feature of our community: we do communion weekly and share a meal immediately following. this has been more important and crictical to the formation of our faith community than any drama!

our dramas are born out of bible study and reflection by our community. they are biblically based, theologically thought out, and they allow for people to discover the stories in such a way that they can see themselves in the story. some weeks we do not do dramas but present testimonies or other creative expressions of faith. but again the gospel is preached faithfully.

most importantly we want to be a missionally minded community. we have tried to be active in the local community and we are known more for our block parties and our willingness to welcome addicts and guys recently released from prison than we are known for our dramas. hope this helps and i would certainly be willing to answer other questions you may have.
God's peace

I understand that since you have never been to our church or even know us, I will refrain from getting defensive ...

...except on one point: JOEL OSTEEN?! Are you kidding me? Comparing us with Joel Osteen?! If you knew us, you would know how hilarious that is. Jeff has Philippians 3 tattooed to his arm! We're for the last, the least, and the lost. We have a congregation filled with homeless people and close to homeless people. If you looked into our offering plate at the end of the service you would find pocket lint! I live on almost nothing. I gave up a plush job in the suburbs to plant a church in a smelly cafeteria! JOEL OSTEEN?! Oh my.

Check out our message board on our web site. Become a little more informed.
Kingdom come,
Pastor Jim Walker
Hot Metal Bridge

Though Jesus communicated in sermon form, much of what is captured in the gospels is teaching in the drama of story (parables), in dialogue (intense conversations with Pharisees), and in action (miracles). Church was never meant to be merely a classroom lecture hall.

Michelle,

Where do you find this form of Gospel communication in the Epistles? Why do we feel the intense need to reinvent what God has ordained as the means by which He saves sinners?

The following verses supersede culture and time... and the Christ-centered, practical, and authoritative PREACHING of the Gospel is the medium through which God has promised to draw sinners to himself. God help both our message and our methods to be biblical!

Romans 10:14-17 (ESV), "But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."