Outlines are the budget of the scriptwriting process. They’re sometimes simple, sometimes complex, and you don’t always follow them (I’m hoping it’s not just me!).
But having one in the back of your mind is really helpful for:
- Mapping the progression of theme or story
- Balancing the amount of time or emphasis given to one thought or idea
- Communicating the main ideas to church leadership and participants
- Organizing participants and rehearsals
Even a simple structure can be the foundation for a strong and artistic program – the color comes through in paying attention to the details. See this post on how I took a super minimalist structure and added texture by building in layers and parallelism.
Sometimes the theme and concept you have practically outlines itself. You can skip this post – or keep reading if ya want to, that’s cool too.
More often in my experience, you have a burning idea but just aren’t sure what structure fits it best. Or you have a story you want to tell. Or you have been given an assignment and don’t know how to begin. Or you’re overwhelmed by all the possibilities and just aren’t sure how to put them together.
(definitely check out The Ultimate Church Questionnaire, the 4 Types of Christmas Programs, and especially Brainstorm Central).
The Church Service Program
Concept: A sermon-based program with singing and Scripture reading.
Template:
Congregational Singing
Scripture Reading
Congregational Singing or Special Music
Sermon (bulk of the service time)
Congregational Singing
The Character-Driven Program
Concept: One person tells a story in multiple chapters, broken up with music. (This is the style used in the Hadassah of Susa script). 5-7 rotations of:
Template:
Song
Monologue
Song
Monologue
Song
Monologue
Song
Monologue
Song
How to change it up: The simplest method would be to do congregational singing for each interlude, and one story told through several chapters of a monologue. The worship team has a reasonable amount of preparation, and most of the work is on the writer (if you don’t purchase a script) and presenter of the monologue. You could break up the congregational singing by interspersing two special music performances among the segments.
This could also be a great Sunday School or children’s program, with different classes or groups singing each of the interlude songs. (This is how I was introduced to the style – an adult carried the story while each class of kids had a song to learn).
Each monologue could be a different character’s perspective. For example:
Say for Good Friday you begin with a disciple telling about the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, then go to Judas’ betrayal, another disciple tells about the Last Supper, John talks about Gethsemane, Peter is in anguish over his betrayal, and so on to Joseph of Arimathea burying the body of Jesus. All the characters could come together for a final joint section, expressing their grief at the death of their Lord.
The Devotional Program
Concept: Multiple speakers prepare mini devotionals interspersed with music. (This is the style for Emmanuel: The Promise Fulfilled ).
Template:
Opening Congregational Song
Devotional #1
Devotional #2
Special Music
Devotional #3
Devotional #4
Special Music
Devotional #5
Benediction
Closing Congregational Song
How to change it up: adding a short reading between the devotionals, or opening each devotional with one verse of a hymn.
The Hymn Sing
Concept: Congregational singing makes up most of the service, interspersed with short readings.
Template:
Song
Scripture Reading
Song
Song
Scripture Reading
Song
Scripture Reading
Song, etc.
How to change it up: have older kids read Scripture for a Sunday School service, or ask different church members stand to read sections from their place in the sanctuary (use a runner with a mic).
The Stories & Themes Program
Concept: Explore a theme through one specific story (this is the style reflected in this blog post on “Fear Not”).
Template:
Story opens
- Scripture reading/narrative/monologue/song
- Doctrine explained
- Devotional/Scripture reading
Reflection
- Song/monologue
Story closes
- Narrative/Scripture reading
Application/Celebration
- Song/Reading/Benediction
How to change it up: This one’s a bit more abstract, but it’s powerful, because it prompts you to ensure there is a thematic arc throughout the program. You can build it out in different ways by perhaps emphasizing the use of monologues, or having a lot of music (both performance and congregational singing) that illustrates those themes.
There’s no right or wrong in how you outline. Sometimes it’s a framework to start with that you build upon. Other times it’s a tool for organizing a hodgepodge of ideas, random songs, and scraps of thought. Whenever you bring it in, a good structure is a strong base for your final production.
If you’re new here, check out The Ultimate Church Questionnaire, the 4 Types of Christmas Programs, and especially Brainstorm Central!.