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

[mr_buckaroo]

yes thats a good point we seem to have come into the picture from around 1960 that alot of those great characters came out i was born in 65 so was right in the middle of it myself. we have seen some of the greats in our generation wish some of them where still around.

[Scruffy]

Originally Posted by mr_buckaroo

.... We have seen some of the greats in our generation wish some of them where still around.

Here here! I whole heartedly agree. Most, almost all of the great clowns died years ago. Felix Adler died in 1960,Paul Jung in 1965, Otto Griebling in 1972, Emmett Kelly Sr. in 1979, Bobby Kaye and Frankie Saulto in 1982, Price Paul in 1987,Lou Jacobs in 1992, Ernie Burch in 1997... You get my point. These are Just the Circus Clowns.We lost Bob Keeshan this year, The just keep going, and frankly, the new comedians as funny as they are, just tend to turn me off. You don't need to use Filthy language to be funny.

[mr_buckaroo]

im with you on that scruffy i dont tend to listin to them if there acts are full of filth. i still listen to the old cosby and red skelton stuff and laugh as hard as i did then.

[BananaTree]

Amazing grace sounds great to the Eagles, Peaceful easy feelin' The gospel group I play with does that one

And if you do it right, you can keep the chorus almost intact from Peaceful Easy feeling and it sounds awesome.

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?

That is sad. I remember a few weeks ago there was an article in Charisma magazine about gospel magicians. Several people wrote in to complain that magic was a sin. I thought that was dumb, but I never tell anyone anything except that it is an illuision. Its not witchcraft - its a special effect.

When I read this though, I thanked the Lord for having the support I do. At my church, as you walk into the chiuldren's wing, there is a picture of two clowns - me, and my wife - for everyone to see. We are the only non-children pictured in the whole wing.

[Gilbert]

The strongest argument against the use of illusions I have ever encountered is that someone once raised the issue that in their opinion 'Illusions are a form of deception'. My argument against that is that Illusions are not deceptions because they rely on people to enter into the so called deception by their own choice. It is much the same as what happens with a well told story. Illusions are in this context merely another form of play.

Having been involved with witchcraft (before I repented) I can categorically say that Illusions and the casting of 'spells', 'curses' and 'spiritual healing' are not the same thing. While they both use the term 'magic' to refer to their works, the two forms are in fact very different. I must note here that many illusionists and many witches prefer to aviod using the term 'magic' nowadays.

I must add here that all forms of witchcraft regardless of how they describe themselves are based on the same deceiving spiritual entities. Any appearence of power and effect are in fact deceptions. There is not room here to explain things more clearly but if any reader is finding themselves drawn to any form of 'New Age' practices, I will be glad to explain this in more detail.

[Walmoe1]

As i stated before, I've only seen a small amount of gospel clowning and (unfortunatly) haven't done any but I have an observation or two.
PERHAPS , in the area of worship services there MAY be a limit to what is appropriate for a clown to be involved.Almost every area I've noticed the gospel clown (child evangelism, V.B.S,
Sunday school openings) I've noticed that the clown is a love object, one to whom certain people (especially children) can relate whereas perhaps not a pastor. so the clown is the conduit between God and the individual wheather it's in a large congregation venue or one-to-one, or small groups. He, or she might have an outrageous appearance and create happiness, but also be seen as gentle and sensitive, and the good news is communicated through this personality, THIS is the uniqueness of the gospel clown- a love object.

Lloyd Williams
Wilmoe (formerly Walmoe)

[Scruffy]

great insight, Walmoe.

[RedClownFred]

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!!!