Now this is my kind of topic...and an important one at that! Being part of the Christian right myself, I have talked to like-type individuals in the church about very similiar circumstances. Many are traditionalists that feel clowns in the ministry is yet another altering of the morality in this country. Now before anyone gets in a tizzy, we all (here at clown forum) know the purpose of the ministry clowns is 100% heartfelt and sincere. But some I have talked to, feel that the church needs to stay straight in its course, and clowning can give the wrong message...sort of like having to entice the younger generation, making church more entertaining just to keep their attention span. Say like those X-box and Nintendo games that we let our kids self-absorb and fester in! This unfortunately, is another by-product of the bigger picture and how our modern culture continues to accept...even embrace determental TV programming. Ever really examine each commercial you see day in and day out? I have a test for anyone who has extended cable. Watch 10 or 15 commercials on regular TV and right a brief synopis on what it was really about, but yet how it was projected to you. Then if any of you have the Hallmark channel, watch 10 or 15 of their commercials. YOU WILL UNDERSTAND IMMDEIATELY WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT! Sorry, back to the topic at hand...
Now why I must say personally to all Clown Ministries...GO FOR IT, I too can see many who feel it may undermine the seriousness of what they hope to convey to their children. Some ex-alcoholics can go as far as pick up a drink and smell it without any problem, while others cannot even walk within sight of the liquor department at the grocery store. What I mean to say is you have to respect where the other is coming from when you see they have a rightful conviction in their ideals of the church. The BEST IDEA, is to try to establish a church committee or group, that includes all parties and opinions, that can meet offsite and discuss the pro and cons od Clown Ministry for your particular church.
Again, this is a great topic with very well thought responses!!!
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