Friends of ours are in a clown ministry. They have so many opportunities to encourage people and share Christ.
Is this something that you have seen done effectively? What/how?
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My husband and I are actively involved in clown ministry as "Strawberri 'n' Patch", and enjoy using our creativity to touch children young and old with the love of Christ. Many don't have a clue how clown ministry can bless and be utilized to advance the Kingdom of God.
People have been trained to recognize acceptable venues to evangelize, and clowning hasn't really been exposed as one of those viable ministries in the main stream schools of thought. Our desire is to teach, reach, and preach, with or without red noses, to small ones how to love the Lord with all their hearts.
We have been involved with other para-church ministries reaching the lost and indifferent in groups of 9,000x and plan on traveling abroad with this ministry in 2009. We have found acceptance when reaching out to someone who is hurting dressed in colorful attire accompanied with a happy greased face. One can easily diffuse any of their defenses as we approach them in a non-threatening, jovial manner. We love being clowns....It allows us to be who God intended us to be! It is our priviledge to bring joy and encouragement wherever he sends us with Christ as our focus. If you want to know more about our ministry write us @ strawberri_en_patch@yahoo.com. Keep smiling, Mary Ann
The church I attend has at times used mime or human video, coreographed flag routines, and dance to minister to others. When the school was still active, we put on an event for veterans complete with a meal and performance. It was an all day thing. A bunch of needy youngsters got a chance to give to others. We also did performances for parents. Some of these folks were not christians. Even those who are know the Lord enjoy seeing/hearing the old message in a new way. The dance team performs for the church and has performed at community events.
I have not seen a clown ministry before (clowns scare me to be honest lol), but I remember when I lived down near Reading, PA, there was this Christian book store that I used to go to. One day, they had a Veggie Tales event there, complete with a costumed Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber. I got my picture taken with them. It's funny, because the event was held by the Amish, who don't like their picture taken, but they were the ones taking the pictures! Anyway, at the event, there was a puppet show with the Veggie Tales characters. I really enjoyed it, and I think it is a very effective way to get the word out to the youth.
I believe that's what got me started Serving the Lord and Others... At a young age (12) my mom started a clown ministry for our Teens called the "Celebration Clown Troupe" and our first "Kick off" was at a 4th of July celebration where we made Balloon animals and gave them away to people and made them smile. (We were primarily a Mime Troupe which meant NO TALKING) I think my mom wanted us to be quiet :0) but we had a great time and for as much as our Youth Group did for "ourselves" (meaning most youth events revolve around fun and stuff I WANT to do) This was truely a ministry in every sense of the word as most of our "performances" were at old age homes ... still to this day I love serving others and making them Smile for Jesus sake.
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People have been trained to recognize acceptable venues to evangelize, and clowning hasn't really been exposed as one of those viable ministries in the main stream schools of thought. Our desire is to teach, reach, and preach, with or without red noses, to small ones how to love the Lord with all their hearts.
We have been involved with other para-church ministries reaching the lost and indifferent in groups of 9,000x and plan on traveling abroad with this ministry in 2009. We have found acceptance when reaching out to someone who is hurting dressed in colorful attire accompanied with a happy greased face. One can easily diffuse any of their defenses as we approach them in a non-threatening, jovial manner. We love being clowns....It allows us to be who God intended us to be! It is our priviledge to bring joy and encouragement wherever he sends us with Christ as our focus. If you want to know more about our ministry write us @ strawberri_en_patch@yahoo.com. Keep smiling, Mary Ann