Does anyone have a clown ministry at church that is looked d - Page 3

Anonymous · #21 (**permalink**) 06-11-2004, 09:45 AM

Thank you everyone for your uplifting comments and advice. After our graduation and four short skits, we received many positive comments from members. It seems they just didn't know what to expect, but were very impressed with everything. From our "professional" costumes and makeup to the skits themselves. We were so happy (relieved) to have been so well received.

~~Mercy Me~~
AKA Molly

Gilbert · #22 (**permalink**) 09-14-2004, 03:30 PM

From time to time if we remain in any Christian Ministry we will meet rejection from other Christians. Being a clown means being larger than life so we must expect reactions from others to be larger too. Always remember compassion for the feelings of others must radiate our ministry.

Facing rejection from other Christians is always hard and if God has called you to clowning do not give up. However we do need to be sensitive to the needs of others. When I started out I was able to make a compromise with a hostile lady in my Church and gave up using illusions (which was going to be my main clown skill at the time). It was a costly sacrifice at the time but the lady in question is now regularly calling me in to do puppetry and clowning for the kids work she leads. She has even made donations to the ministry!

People often have strong emotions attached to their viewpoints. Clown ministry connects people to their emotions and will often cause people to react strongly to stimulous brought about by clowns. If we allow ourselves to be sucked into the trap of reacting back or ignoring peoples feelings then we are not reflecting the love of Christ and our ministry is damaged as a result.

Compassion is the root of all christian ministry. Compassion for the lost and hurting people in our church and in the community should be our driving force. Yes we should continue in God's calling, but we also need to listen to hear the root of peoples objections. Sometimes a change of direction in responce to objections can help others to find healing.

Anonymous · #23 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 05:16 PM

I performed in a Christian Performing Arts Troupe in college called WINGS. Part of our program was Clown Communion. We NEVER got a negative response--Praise God. It's a difficult approach because you kind of have to step out of your 'comfort zone' for a few...but I think the visual aspect-the bread, the spike, the babyblanket--really brings it home for a lot of people. There was never a dry eye in the house.

We had to practice a lot to pull it off--when to be silly and when to be spiritually. But, with practice, my partner, Canoeshoes, and I pulled it off beautifully :wink:

Gilbert · #24 (**permalink**) 10-07-2004, 06:51 PM

Wherever you go and whatever your ministry sooner or later someone will react negatively. Often they will direct their anger at you but the reality is that it is their own problem surfacing. Sometimes it is the medium you are using but when the Gospel is involved the message itself is usually what they react to.

Anyone sharing God's love by sharing the Gospel will meet rejection at some point. For us clowns we can find ourselves rejected by the church because we do things differently and rejected outside the church because of our Chirstian message. All we can do is to Pray and ask God to help us deal with our own pain, forgive them and for God to gently lead them to their next step toward Him. Apart from that we also need to press on toward the Goal that God has placed before us.

klarabelle · #25 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 04:51 PM

I visited a church this morning when I was shocked to see a picture of two clowns and a caption under the picture said "Church Clowns Are The Devils Minions! I was so crushed I got up and left. What would possess a church to say such a thing?

Scruffy · #26 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klarabelle

I visited a church this morning when I was shocked to see a picture of two clowns and a caption under the picture said "Church Clowns Are The Devils Minions! I was so crushed I got up and left. What would possess a church to say such a thing?

Ignorance and Apathy...

They neither know or care. I find clowning no where in the Bible. Our Church doesn't have a clown ministry just me. I don't condemn a church for not either having one or not.
But I think Paul hit the nail on the head when he said" I am made all things to all people, so by all possible means, I might save some." I Corinthians 9:22
If you can reach people with the Gospel as a clown go for it Some of the most dedicated Christians I have ever met would not pass muster with a lot of churches. God is a judge of the heart. Don't let this chuch's attitude about clowning spoil your desire to express Christ's love through clowning.

Gilbert · #27 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klarabelle

I visited a church this morning when I was shocked to see a picture of two clowns and a caption under the picture said "Church Clowns Are The Devils Minions! I was so crushed I got up and left. What would possess a church to say such a thing?

I beleive fear is most probably the root cause for the church you mention. When a person has grown up with things being done in certain ways they are so comfortable that change of any kind is very scary. The growth of clowning and puppetry (which also gets resistance) as a communication medium in churches brings out a fear reaction. By making strong statements like the one you mentioned people feel they can continue in the safety of their comfort zone without having to face their fear of change.

I'm sorry to hear that you were hurt by this church but I would encourage you to pray for them. Depending on how much you were hurt it may require forgiveness on your part, but pray that God blesses them and gently encourages them to experiment with new ways of doing things.

Gilbert · #28 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scruffy

[I find clowning no where in the Bible.

You will not find the word clown in the Bible but Paul did write about us being Fools for Christ and the foolishness of the Gospel. In fact Jesus himself said we should become like little children. (the inner child ring any bells?) Hey guy's come to think of it, the words Trinity, and Evangelical are not in the Bible either!

I know you are a believer Scruffy and this is not intended to offend you or anyone else. I just want to point out that we should not get too tied up with specifics. That is one of the things Jesus rebuked the Sanhedrin for. To find out if something is scriptural or not requires a close look at the spirit in which it ministers. If the motive is pure and gentle, the action is clean and wholesome and is done in obedience to God, then the ministry is an acceptable act from God's viewpont.

Scruffy · #29 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 07:55 PM

I completely agree, Gilbert. I was speaking purely from a technical point. But, Any way you are absolutely correct. I will gladly be a fool for Christ's sake any day of the week. The same child like faith nescessary to accept Christ is the same child like faith to keep believing in clowns

saphireSue · #30 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 10:41 PM

I agree with both of you. Ever notice how difficult it is to change any thing when thing have a certain tradition. I'm also the Music Director, and getting them to do more modern music has been an ongoing tial. Greatfully, our pastor is 100% behind anything we try and has been to all our clown events. He just started this Past June. Our other retired after 18 yrs.