written by Leigh Riches.
2002 Oakden Baptist Church
Stage: 2 'directors' chairs with a coffee table in
front. Two coffee cups (which both characters sip during the
interview) are on the table with a small floral arrangement or plant.
A 'splash screen' of "Christian Living Today" could be shown with
video projection.
Setting: A typical talk show setting - slightly
'cheesy' in appearance.
Characters: A typical, smiling, agreeable talk show
host 'Richard Smithson", and a slightly indifferent interviewee 'Luke
Warm' who gives the slight impression that he's not too interested in
being there!
(short instrumental introduction, typical of talk shows.)
Smithson: Good morning and welcome to Christian Living Today - I'm
Richard Smithson. With me in the studio is our special guest and
author - Luke Warm (audience may clap - Luke gives a
half-appreciative nod). Luke, first of all , congratulations on the
new book....(hold up book) "Apathy and indifference in the church -
It doesn't really bother me that much". Luke is this your first
attempt at writing a doctrinal handbook.
Luke: Actually ah... no, ah... Richard my first attempt was titled
"The un-finished work of the Church"
Smithson: Oh.... I haven't read that one...
Luke: No,... that's because I never actually.... finished it.......
but... ahhh..... it.... started really well.
Smithson: I see, ... well getting back to your new... and finished
....book (looks at title again) - uh... do you mind if I just refer
to it as "Apathy and indifference"?...
Luke: (shrugs) Yeah, sure, whatever.
Smithson: Ok, ....well in chapter 2 of "Apathy and indifference" you
talk about introducing the church to a new and less convicting style
of Hymns - what do you mean by that.
Luke: well,.. Richard..... look I'm all for retaining the melody and
style of the old hymn writers, I just feel that we need to alter some
of the lyrics to better reflect the ideals and lifestyle of the 21st
Century Church.
Smithson: Could you give us some examples.
Luke: Sure... Uh... I make a few suggestions on page 27 (turns to a
page in the book and reads) The idea is that we simply change some
hymns slightly - such as : Oh, How I Like
Jesus, .... He's Quite a Bit to Me, .... I Love to Talk
About Telling the Story, ......I'm Fairly Certain that My
Redeemer Lives,....Sweet Five Minutes of Prayer, ....and ... I
Surrender Some.
Smithson: I see.... Well what about prayer ? - I
noticed that you've devoted a number of chapters in
your book to the topic of prayer.
Luke: Yes, that's right Richard. I'm a firm believer that you can't
learn enough about prayer. I've been able to study prayer in-depth
myself, and ah.... well, ....in chapter five (opens book again) I've
listed a number of things which I believe every Christian should be
doing in relation to prayer. For example: Seminars
on how to pray, Bible studies on prayer, Watching a
good Video series on prayer,
Sermons .... and I'm talking five, six, seven part
sermons on prayer, ... and what about singing songs
about prayer?...... I don't think that we could ever do enough of
these things.
Smithson: Right...(pauses to think) ... what about....
actually ... praying ?
Luke: Well..... if you think that you're going to have enough time to
do that AS WELL as all those other things, then you go right ahead!
.... I find that I usually run short of time for that myself!
Smithson: OK.... well,..... um... you mentioned Bible
study earlier, Do you think it's important for Christians to
read the Bible regularly these days?
Luke: Oh absolutely - I have no problem with that..... I do, however,
believe that BALANCE is important. Christians need
to read other books... as well as the Bible. If I can read one of my
quotes from page 87... (turns in book again).... "I have always
strongly believed, and would go so far as to say, that it is
sometimes better , and
usually easier, for Christians to read what
someone else thinks that
the Bible says, rather that reading it for
yourself. That way instead of having to develop
your own convictions, you
can borrow, and share about someone
else's convictions!" (stops and thinks
for a few seconds).... actually...... that WAS
someone else's conviction!
Smithson: Luke,.... one last questions before we go.... - The Great
Commission, reaching the lost. Surely you agree that
this is the most important things for Christians to
be doing today?
Luke: Well, Richard... I'd argue the point,... I'd argue the
point,.... that is, if I had the inclination to, I'd argue the
point.
Smithson: So..... you don't believe that reaching
the lost is important today?
Luke: Look, I've got nothing against witnessing,
...... Heaven knows I've tried it,... - back in '87
- ... but Richard, ... It's just not me - I'm not cut out for it ,
and I would suggest that a many other Christians today feel exactly
the same way..... Leave witnessing to the paid
professionals .... the Missionaries, the Pastors - that's
what I always say,... the average Christian is just too busy for
witnessing these days.
Smithson: Well...... ah..... that's all...we have time for today, (to
audience) could you please thank author of (holds up book) "Apathy
and indifference in the church - It doesn't really bother me that
much" - Mr Luke warm, for being our special guest in the studio
today.
(applause as Smithson get up from their chairs and shake hands)
Luke: (as applause dies down, takes a sip of coffee and screws up
face) - You know Richard, you should really do something about the
coffee you serve here,.... it's not hot , but it's
not cold .... it's....it's... just
awful !