From Wikipedia
"The fourth wall is the imaginary invisible wall at the front of the stage in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play. While the origin of the term cannot be confirmed, the concept is generally presumed to have begun in the nineteenth century theatre with the advent of theatrical realism."
I was introduced to this term by Dr. Jennifer Lord. It is what allows for the suspension of reality. So what does this look like in the church? When we preach, is there a 4th wall between us and the congregation? Although you can sense if someone is preaching authentically, I wonder if we look and listen through a 4th wall that allows the preacher to be something they are not, or allows them to have more authority? A new question to ponder.
Peace.
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4 comments:
KW,
Since "suspension of reality" is one of the main purposes of the 4th wall, what reality are we suspending if we erect the wall? Are we erecting a barrier between us and the congregation? Between us and the body of Christ? Nay, I say! In a stage show the characters are different from the house. This is a poor model for worship.
The 4th wall separates performers from the audience. So here's an age old question, who's the audience of a worship service? I once worked at a church where worship looked like "The Choir Show, featuring the Preacher." Not healthy. Admittedly, the chancel provides a wonderful proscenium style staging, but we cannot allow ourselves to enter into the performance mentality.
Who is the audience of worship? If it is the congregation, we play into the consumer menatlity of worship. Some say the answer is the Lord our God. Then again, we always hope to enter into worship of God with God. In the creation, the 4th wall is moot to the Creator.
So strike the 4th wall! Let us all be one, the church universal, and let us welcome the Lord our God to lead our worship.
I wonder though if the congregation assumes itself to be the audience and if they errect the 4th wall. Do they suspend the reality of the preacher during the sermon?
Have they suspended the reality of who one is as a preacher?
I agree that all are called to be actively participating in worship, but how well do we accomplish this? I am not advocating for a 4th wall, but I wonder if it already exists. If it does, how do we break through it?
New aspect of preaching for me to ponder. Thanks for your comments!
All right, yes, I agree that people can and do erect a 4th wall, wanting to be "the audience" in worship, e.g. "The Choir Show featuring the Preacher."
Perhaps then this becomes an element of Worship and Christian formation, people have to learn that they cannot be passive in Worship. Song is another wonderful way to accomplish this-again as long as it doesn't become show.
In the end, some people have a better view of what worship is than others. These people won't suspend reality. These people know it doesn't get more real than authentic worship.
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