The Theatre of Christ
Now the theatre is not made up of one part but of many. If the stage manager should say, "Because I am not a director, I do not belong to the show," he would not for that reason cease to be part of the production. And if the costumer should say, "Because I am not a playwright, I do not belong to the project," she would not for that reason cease to be part of the ensemble. If the whole company were actors, where would the dramatic structure be? If the whole company were directors, what would the audience watch when the lights went up? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the theatre, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If all played one part, where would the drama be? As it is, there are many parts, but one theatre.
The actor cannot say to the stagehand, "I don't need you!" And the designer cannot say to the publicist, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the theatre that seem to be less important are indispensable, and the parts that some think are less honourable we should treat with special honour. God has combined the members of the company and has given greater honour to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division, but that every artist should have equal concern for each other. If one suffers, every one suffers with them – and so does the show! If one is honoured, every one rejoices.
Now you are the theatre of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has appointed first of all playwrights, second directors, third stage managers, then workers of miracles with light and sound, also those having gifts of sewing, those able to choreograph others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in strange tongues – we call them critics. Are all actors? Are all singers? Are all dancers? Do all direct? Do all give media interviews? Do all receive theatre majors? Do all get write-ups in the Georgia Straight? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And now I will show you the most excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of Shakespeare and of Chekhov, but have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of perfect diction, and understand all dramaturgy, and all scansion; and though I have all talent, so that I could move audiences and critics alike, and have not love, I am nothing....
from the Third Epistle of St. Ron to the Corinthians,
Chapters 12 and 13,
Improvised Standard Version
written 2009 A.D. to the church in Freedom Hall
