"There Goes Bob" Video Series Tackles Major Issue for
Churches
(Nashville,
TN) - According to the book
The Unchurched Next Door, over 82% of non-church goers would
attend if asked by a friend yet only 2% of church attendees actually
invite friends to church. After learning of this dichotomy,
professional dramatist Chuck Neighbors decided to tackle the subject
head-on through the medium he knows best - drama. But rather than
his usual one-man shows, Neighbors wrote a script with video in mind
and produced the new "There Goes
Bob" video series. The response has been immediate.
"We have had churches tell us they use the video beyond even their
services," says Neighbors. "One church emailed the video to their
entire congregation to encourage them to ask friends and neighbors
to Sunday services. We've been really astonished at the incredible
response."
"Chuck captured our imagination with his true-to-life vignettes
about 'Bob' and his neighbor," says Pastor Jon Karn, Light on the
Corner church in Montrose, California. "I pastor a congregation of
'Bobs.' I can't help but think that the on-going saga of 'Bob' and
his neighbor just may help liberate our congregation from the notion
that church is for us, not them. I am praying that the evolving
story of 'There Goes Bob' will help our flock to see their neighbors
as people who are eager to come to church, if only someone would ask
them."
Though Neighbors still prefers the live drama setting, he also
recognizes the immediacy and convenience that a video series can
bring. "The language of our culture is entertainment and the
combination of drama and media is an excellent way to speak that
language," he says.
Master's Image Productions, under the direction of Neighbors, has
grown from its first one-man drama, an adaptation of the best-selling
book In His Steps,
to national prominence as a leader in church drama ministry over the
past 25 years. Master's Image has performed and taught at
conferences, conventions, retreats, colleges, churches, and
organizations including the U.S. Military, Focus on the Family,
Moody Radio, National Creative Arts Festival, among many others. The
company's productions are designed for worship services, dinner
theaters and special events. In addition to touring productions, the
ministry offers training and consulting for church drama ministries,
published scripts, and guest services such as directing and play
writing.
Though Master's Image operates as a non-profit themselves, Neighbors
has partnered with World Vision for nearly a decade, sponsoring over
4,000 children and becoming the relief organization's number one
producing drama artist. Neighbors is set to travel to Uganda in
January with World Vision, marking his third trip to Africa and
fifth trip overseas with World Vision.
Neighbors is currently touring in a new one-man show based on the
parables entitled "Not the Way I Heard It." The 50-minute
presentation is a modern-day retelling of five biblical parables.
"Jesus was the master storyteller," says Neighbors. "I wanted to
keep the integrity of the original parable intact, yet bring new
insights and perspectives for today's audiences. It has been
exciting to see people rediscovering these stories through this
drama."
For the holiday season, Neighbors will again be performing one of
Master's Image's most popular shows, "Merry Christmas Mr. Jones."
All of Neighbors' dramas are original works, and have spawned
several books over the years including his "how-to guide" for drama
ministry, Drama Now. Neighbors recently contributed to the Lillenas
Publishing project,
Real
Time, a collection of original short scripts on topics such
as hope, adoption, freedom from abuse, God's answers, abandonment,
divorce, and depression.
2009 marks the 25th anniversary of Master's Image Productions, and
to celebrate the occasion, Neighbors is offering a free performance
of his newest production, "Not The Way I Heard It." Churches can
simply log into the company's website at MastersImage.com to vie for
the free offer. On January 4th, 2010 one church will be chosen at
random to receive the special performance.
(Nashville,
TN) - According to the book