Clown ministry is not just for children

[HelenaZF]

I don't know what your experience is with clown ministry, but I suspect for most people that there is a presumption that it is an avenue used to minister to children. And yes, it can be very effective used in that way. But it can also be an effective way to communicate Kingdom truths to adults as well, using both humor and pathos in well planned and prayed-through presentations and skits.



Dean and I were part of a clown ministry troupe many years ago called "Peculiar People." These were mime or silent clowns who produced skits and musical interpretations that were often very powerful and could bring people to tears, repentance, healing and salvation. The clown personna is gender-neutral, anonymous, and yet the character representation can reveal the most secret of inner characters.....and therefore people of any age, sex or background can relate without the personality of the artist getting in the way.



When you are developing your clown personna, a lot of soul searching can go on before the Lord reveals who your clown character is and how that character will be interpreted in make-up, garmenting and in personality. That character can then be used to make some powerful communications, either solo or as part of a troupe, that can only be catogorized as ministry.



I've gone on to use some of the mime skills I started developing with clown ministry into a basis for much of my interpretive dance choreography that I use today.



So I'd just like to encourage those of you who have some clowning experience to share it with us and maybe seek the Lord for a plan on how to use your character in service to the Kingdom. We have a couple of ZFF members here with some experience in this area that can be a resource to you.