Clowning and Spirituality. - Page 2

saphireSue · #11 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 12:26 AM

For me the clowning I do for business and the clowning I do for ministry are 2 different things, with different charactures.

I started on the ministry side of things first as a way to work with youth, allowing them the freedom to use their silliness and openness as a way they could reach out to people.

I have performed on Sunday, usually for the whole church or large group and it is a way to worship and share the gospel. I don't see this as work, the preacher preaches on Sunday, the teachers teach on Sunday. This is another way to get a message across.

Pinky Shortcakes · #12 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 08:28 AM

Ditto what Saphire said (she just beat me to it). If I recall correctly, Jesus was accused of "working" on the Sabbath when He healed the sick. Just my opinion, but if what you are doing is for the Glory of God, then it's not "work".

Paboberto · #13 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 11:37 AM

Okay, I guess I was a bit vauge. Especially since I didn't start out by answering my own question. I wasn't trying to ask "How did you get into clown ministry?" or even "Why did you get into clown ministry?" I have yet to see anyone here not answer those question's in their intro thread.

What I am trying to ask about is the relationship between your clowning and your spiritual life. How you fold it into your personal relationship with God. How it affects your soul and spirit, and the the spirits of people around you when clowning. Whether it has changed how you view the world...

For me, it has helped a great deal with patience and humility. It is has helped me with love towards those who mock me. It has helped me exist much more in the present where I am with what I have, like a lilly in the feild. It has helped still my mind some (despite all philosophical threads to the contrary). It all in all has let me not take myself so seriously in all those intellecutally vain ways which I am inclined to do.

saphireSue · #14 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 01:17 PM

Let's see, for me it has helped me be more vocal about my beliefs, and easier for me to witness. It has helped me, with patience, and to take things a little slower. It's helped me to look more toward the positive side and not the negitive side of things a little more. To look for the good in life.

Fitzwilly · #15 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinky59

Ditto what Saphire said (she just beat me to it). If I recall correctly, Jesus was accused of "working" on the Sabbath when He healed the sick. Just my opinion, but if what you are doing is for the Glory of God, then it's not "work".

I agree with were you are coming from Pinky. In my case I am working very hard to make full time clowning work for me five and six days a week up to 12 hours a day. So on the Sabbath I would rather work in the children's department or help with the children's story because when I start slapping on the makeup I start thinking "How can what I am doing today pay off in more work tomorrow?" So, by staying away from my character I can still use my skills to glorify him without "me" getting in the way.

Darrell · #16 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 08:45 AM

Fitzwilly,

What kind of multivitamin are you taking to work 5 or 6 days (12 hours each day) doing clowning? I usuallly get exhausted after clowning for 3 hours!

Darrell

Fitzwilly · #17 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 12:41 AM

I am actually only performing 2 to 3 hours a night at the restaurants or birthday parties. Right now I have three restaurants and a party most Sundays. But I am on the phone, working on emails or hitting the bricks a good portion of the day. And then in the evening I am reading old clown magazines, reloading my balloon bag, spending time on the Clown Forum and other clown related activities. If it was all out and out clowning I too would be exhausted. As it is I scratch my head and wonder just what I think I am doing some times.

Dancin' Dot · #18 (**permalink**) 07-06-2008, 04:56 PM

AMEN!!! GOD has also given me direction to go forth as a clown telling other of His love.

Twis-T · #19 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 12:03 AM

Clowning is a way I can give someone else the joy I have found in being a follower of Christ. If I can give someone a balloon flower, hat, or something else I have made for them and get them to smile while taking a tract I have passed on the good feeling I was given from Old Clown. Old Clown always told me the best payment is passing out smiles and watching the joy on the faces. I can always make myself feel better be giving away balloons and getting smiles in return.

in Harmony with Jesus · #20 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 10:54 AM

I clown only for our church clown ministry. We have a scheduled visit to a local nursing home once a month then we do different things throughout the year for the church & for kids in the community & our church day care.

One of the biggest things clowning has helped me with it getting over a fear of public speaking. Singing is a totally different story - I can get up in front of a sanctuary full of people & sing with no problem... but ask me to speak and it's all over. But when Harmony is in front of the congregation she's never had any trouble talking. So clowning opens up an opportunity for me to share God's love where Jennifer might not normally be able to.

And what a blessing it is just to see the smiles and faces light up when they see Harmony. And oh, it's even better when she has a balloon animal or sticker or candy - something special just for them. There's just something about making people smile.

And for the adults... well, when people come in contact with a clown, walls seem to be broken down. Barriers that may be up when approached by a "normal person" seem to disappear. And it opens doors to share God's love - sometimes without even talking about Jesus at all. Sometimes it may just be the cross on your face or the "ministry" in the group's name that does it. People can see something different in you because you care enough to just listen and they get curious...

Why are you out here in almost unbearable heat with all the 'gunk' on your face playing with these kids?
Why are you giving away prizes & candy & hot dogs and not even asking for donations?
Why do you continuously go to see those old people in that home that smells funny - not to mention how hot it is?
Why do you take the time to talk to the old people - or better yet, even take the time to LISTEN to them?

I endure the heat & play with the kids because Jesus endured so much more during His walk on this earth to show His love for me.
I give away prizes, candy & hot dogs without asking for anything in return because God gave up so much more for me & asked nothing in return.
I go see those "smelly old people" in the nursing home who have already lived most of their lives because Jesus didn't discriminate against people because of their age, race, physical condition or anything else. He was even seen with the likes of tax collectors & common criminals & such!!
I take the time to talk to the old people & to LISTEN to them because God takes the time to listen to me.

Well, I'm not real sure if I answered exactly what you were looking for, but this is me. It is why I do what I do. Jesus is the reason I put on the make up & the funny hair & endure the heat & sometimes discomfort of the big red nose & those crazy eyelashes. He endured so much for us. This is just one way I can share His love with others.