Friday Night Theology

Rev

16 July 2010

Earlier this week, as Reverend Adam Smallbone walked out of his inner-city church in East London, leading the pallbearers and mourners, he was shocked to see the hearse being lifted onto a tow truck by over zealous traffic wardens. This was the opening scene in this week's episode of a new BBC2 comedy series, simply entitled 'Rev.' 

For the past three weeks, we've being welcomed into the world of this fictitious, good-natured reverend who, despite his doubts and insecurities, faithfully shepherds his small and motley congregation. Rev is a meandering comedy laced with meaningful reflection. The humour is at times crude and some viewers may well find some of the issues uncomfortable and language offensive. However, this portrayal of church life is well worth engaging with, and if you're involved with a local church you may suddenly realise that you're looking in a mirror, laughing at yourself! 

If you're someone who wonders what the local vicar does Monday to Saturday this programme will be an eye opener! Already, the Rev has had a wide range of issues to deal with, not world-changing issues as such, but mini-crises that have consumed his time. In the first episode he was delighted when his congregation dramatically increased in size one Sunday, only to be confronted with a dilemma when he found out that they were only there because they were eager for the vicar to recommend their child to the local church school. In the second episode, his church is (temporarily) taken over by a contemporary congregation led by an arrogant vicar. He appreciates their money, but not everything else which comes with it. Then in the third episode the Rev enters into an inter-faith dialogue as he decides to let a local Muslim group meet in his church and decides to campaign against a planning proposal which will see a gentlemen's club open opposite the school. 

When we engage with a TV show such as Rev it's vital that we see it for what it is - a comedy. It is important that we understand that the characters have been created to represent stereotypical figures and certain characteristics have been exaggerated. This is done so that people can identify with them and find them funny. The same principles are true when it comes to the storylines. Therefore from some angles they seem familiar, likely and serious, while from other angles they appear ridiculous, unbelievable and hilarious. This means engagement requires some careful thought as every character and storyline presents us with aspects we will agree with and aspects we probably won't. However, perhaps more importantly than whether we agree or disagree is that it gets us thinking, discussing and maybe even prayerfully reflecting - the Rev Smallbone is good at all three! 

Take the second episode for example. The more liberal and traditional Rev is set against a contemporary vicar who is labelled as a 'charismatic evangelical'. As we engage, it's not about taking sides; it's about recognising the strengths and weakness in both characters. For the contemporary vicar everything centres on Jesus, however his showmanship and possible lack of substance is a cause for concern. On the other hand, while the Rev's liberalism concerns me, his care for those who society marginalises is admirable. Perhaps this is a lesson not just for engaging with a TV show, but for the vast array of differences that exist within the Christian churches? 

Rev raises a multitude of issues that are worth discussing, and if you're a church leader an opportunity to reflect on your role. However, perhaps the greatest strength of this comedy is the way it enables us to explore how a church should engage with its local community. What should the priorities of a church be? How do we contextualise the Gospel so that it's relevant, without diluting the message? What does it mean to be 'salt and light'? 

Rev is on BBC2, 10pm on Mondays and is also available here.

Phil Green - Public Theology Research Assistant