Clergy Requirements Are Laughable

"Markman" is c Copyright 2010 by Stephen C. Rose All rights reserved

The Committee members buzz.

PETTY: And David, is that why you organized a movement to sell this property and--

JONES: (continuing) All the property of our denomination. And of all denominations and

churches--

PATTON: (continuing) To give away as reparations--

JONES: (continuing) To those you claim have been victims of church or society or whatever?

Pause.

DAVID: Reparations is not my word, sir. It's just that Jesus had no use for -- this,

WATTERS: Right on.

MALCOLM: Are you speaking for Jesus, or for you?

DAVID: I'm speaking against this --

David motions to the elaborate sanctuary where they sit. The Committee members stir. The

support group murmurs. The Chair raises his hand to call for silence.

MILLER: And what is your complaint? I don't see --

DAVID: (Impatient) Look around.

Camera sweeps to take in the signs of corporate affluence in sanctuary. High end TV cameras

for broadcasting services, expensive stained glass in profusion, a huge chart detailing

donations, velvet pew cushions and stacks of brass offering plates.

The pulpit rises some twenty-five feet and is reached by a gilt staircase that winds around

its base. The pulpit itself is a travesty in plastic and gilt. It's main feature is a moveable

ELECTRONIC BIBLE which has a flashing sign facing the congregation noting the texts which the

preacher punches in. The texts are flashed onto various TV monitors. When it is not operating,

the sign simply flashes, on and off, the legend: GOD'S WORD.

MALCOLM: What do you believe, Mr. Markman?

Long pause.

DAVID: I believe your hearts are hardened. That you are not hungry or thirsty. That you are

not crying. And that it suppertime.

The Committee is perplexed.

David gets up and turns to face WATTERS: and the other onlookers who are members of WATTERS:'

church.

DAVID: (Cont) Who's hungry?

There are meaningful glances between ONLOOKERS and Markman and one by one they rise -- their

faces reflect their solidarity and also that each has been through something that has drawn

them to Markman's support.

DAVID: (Cont) Then let's go get something to eat.

They start to leave with David.

MILLER: (calling) Are you mocking us?

JONES: Are you mocking this process?

Markman does not turn to respond.

Jones stands, preening.

JONES: (cont.) Superintendent, fellow committee members, I move that because David Markman is

no longer in the employ of a church organization, his ordination be declared inactive. He has

been, ah, negative from the beginning.

Malcolm looks around for any opposition and, finding none, raps his gavel on the table.

MALCOLM: Agreed. David Markman is no longer an active minister of the Gospel.

Abba's Way - Jesus Film "Markman" 2 David Markman, a contemporary Jesus figure, is told he is no longer a minister of the Gospel. . Original script.