"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
| What does the term "Gospel" mean?
A simple question, or is it? You could put on a little make up, get a funny outfit, maybe a wig, and a prop or two, then go to the hospital or nursing home and "clown around". Does that make you a Gospel clown? Is that a clown ministry? You might have fun, plus those that see you might. Being a Christian and a clown seems to be the answer, but let us look a little further. Looking at history we see that clowns in one form or other have been around for some time. In the form of jesters or buffoons they had great influence in the kings court. They were "fools" but they sure were not foolish. Actually they were clever with a rare perceptual intelligence, their lives depended on it. They could "tell it like it was" and get a way with it even when it was not popular. They would cause their audience to see things in a new light and to remember they were human, too. In the early church there was one clown like person that functioned as the "interrupter". He would appear at the front of the lecture hall or class, make a humorous or bold statement about the subject, then disappear. His purpose was to start people thinking, preparing them for the lecturer. But, alas, he became too bold and began to disrupt the class and was banished. |
Clown is derived from "clod" meaning a
lump of clay or earth, or person of low estate. God took a lump of earth
and formed it and breath life into it, called it man and said it was good.
When Christ came into the world He took the yoke of servant and admonished
his followers to do the same. Gospel clowning takes these two ideas of
the servant and the person of low estate and combines them with the idea
of the God formed, God breathed new creature in Christ to give new meaning
to "clown".
The make-up points to this new birth, also. The white color, usually the first applied, is a symbol of death. The colors are a life symbol. Thus, death to the old self and new life to a new God breathed identity. Gospel clowns' attitude start before the make-up and all that follows. We must realize first and foremost the thought: "it is not I but Christ who works out of me". We must die to self. As we become the clown know that it is the new life in Christ. Christian Discipleship requires these same basic principles. Clowning is but a manifestation of Discipleship. Gospel clowning is a true disciplined life. The clown must be real, must be disciplined, must be alive (full of life), and he must be true. There can be no hypocrites in Gospel clowning. It takes practice, hard work and dedication. |
Childlike, not childish, is another characteristic.
Like a child, clowns see the truth with out worldly clutter. Theirs is
a new life with none of the adult vices or hang-ups. They operate under
new rules. When they are hurt they cry. They laugh out loud when happy,
and will give you a hug when no one else will. They intuitively seek out
the hurting to comfort, the lonely and the unloved to love. They are scared
and embolden at the same time. They respond rather than perform.
A few more thoughts Get personal, one on one, where possible, when in a group be observant and minister to the group as individuals. Be always uplifting, never put-down; never laugh at or allow others in your presents to be laughed at; always laugh with someone. Do not be pushy; don't invade the other person's space. Invite, coax, lure, draw them out. Never be scary. Never pull mean or hurtful jokes. Avoid all manner of violence, cruelty, spite, vulgarity or evil or the appearance of any of these. Let the Fruits of the Spirit be your guide for everything you do. Be in character all the time. Be professional in decorum, make-up, costume, at all times. Leave immediately when ministry complete. Show up.., Minister.., Vanish. |
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