Other Forms of Arts Ministry

I. The goal of Ministering Through the Arts:

The goal to of Ministering Through the Art's is to explore creative ways of reaching the lost with God’s message. As Christians, we are God’s messengers. A summary of our message is that Jesus loves people and wants a relationship with them. It is our goal to help people avoid hell by coming into right relationship with God. It is also our goal to help people grow strong as Christians and have an awesome Christian life.

Our message remains the same but the way we deliver the message of God’s love for humanity can be as varied as the people that we are delivering the message to. Different people respond better to different methods. This generation, especially youth seem to respond well to a presentation of the gospel through the arts, perhaps because they are experience oriented and accustomed to being entertained.

Tonight, we will conclude this study by discussing a few more ways of presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ using the arts.

II. Clowning:

Clowns are entertaining and funny. They immediately draw people’s attention and will draw a crowd to themselves. Gospel clowning is a light and subtle way of sharing the gospel. Clowns make people smile or laugh and always try to be sure everyone is having fun at an event.

Clowning is not for everyone. A clown must have a clownish sense of humor and be a humble person who does not mind lifting others up at their own expense. They must love people and love making people laugh.

A clown can be a secondary part of an event, walking around talking to the children, passing out flyers, making animal balloons or doing face painting. He also can be the star of the show, holding everyone’s attention for a set amount of time. A performing clown will need to be more skilled and spend more time practicing. He will work out a funny routine using skits and gags. He also may juggle, ride a unicycle or use props like a rubber chicken.

To be a clown, you must develop your clown’s character. Choose your costume and your face make-up to reflect that character. Choose a name for yourself that also reflects that character. You may choose from a large variety of costume options, from the usual brightly colored clown suits to normal clothing that is in a variety of colors and styles that don’t match or fit properly. In choosing a clown costume and makeup style, use your imagination. Look at other clowns for inspiration.

You can go online or use books to get ideas for all aspects of clowning. Everything you might need pertaining to clowning can be found on line or in hobby shops. You can also get free information on line about clowning like skits, gags, make-up application, developing a character etc. One such web site is www.clown-ministry.com. An excellent book on clowning is Creative Clowning and can be purchased at www.amazon.com. The book has 20 chapters and 224 pages.

III. Mime:

A mime is similar to a clown except he does not talk, but rather pantomimes. He acts out skits and gags without speech. The Christian mime skits have Christian messages. They also may act out songs or dance. Mimes normally dress in all black and have white faces with either white or black gloves. But that all is optional.

IV. Dance:

Spiritual dance is an awesome way to minister to people. The world thinks that dance belongs to them and often it is perverted and used as a sexual thing. The truth of the matter is that dance belongs to God and to His people. It is a holy thing when used appropriately. Dance is currently being restored to the church, and is being used more often in worship services, either as performances or simply as people expressing their praise and worship to God. Today we are discussing the performance aspect of dance.

Reasons to use dance in ministry:

To minister with dance, you must first choose a song. Choose it based on your audience and the message you wish to portray. The mood you want to set is also considered. It may or may not go along with the sermon the minister plans to preach.

A ministry can have a whole dance team or just one dancer. Everyone dancing may wear something as simple as the same color pants and shirt; or, they may all wear elaborately designed costumes with many colors. In choosing your costume, consider your audience, the piece you are performing and the message you want to send. Much time will go into choreographing and practicing a dance, especially if many dancers are involved.

IV. Music

Ministries commonly use music to minister. God has created music to be a very powerful thing. It is most powerful when used to lift up Jesus and bring glory to Him. Spiritual music soothes the soul, chases away demonic spirits, encourages people, strengthens people and ushers them into God’s presence.

Music is a powerful tool in reaching out to the lost. Everyone enjoys good music and will gather to hear it. The lost can receive God’s message through music without even realizing they are because they are being entertained in the process. God can and will touch people’s heart and draw them to Himself through music.

Perhaps God has gifted you to play a musical instrument, to write songs or to sing. God will use you and greatly bless your life if you will give your talents back to Him for His use. If He has gifted you, don’t hide your gift, develop it, use them to be a blessing and you will also be greatly blessed.

Maybe you would like to do one of these things but don’t know if God has gifted you. Try your hand at it, that is the only way you will know. The bible says we have not because we ask not, if you desire certain abilities, ask God to give them to you. God will do His part if you will do yours. Step out and try. Then practice much.

VI. Conclusion:

God is a God of variety. Sometimes people want to put Him into a box. They think He always does things the same way all the time or they tend to think He likes only what they like and dislikes what they dislike. God’s ways and His thoughts are so much higher than our own.

God’s greatest desire is that people will come into right relationship with Him. It is not His will that anyone perishes but that everyone will come to know Him and accept His love and sacrifice for them. No two people are exactly alike and it takes many different methods to reach the different people.

The hour is late. The need is urgent. Darkness is covering the earth as the bible says it will. We, as God’s people must be at work, doing everything we can in order to do God’s work while there is still time. The bible warms us that a time will come when our work will end, when no one else will be able to make things right with God. Our blessings and prayers are with you as you take the things you have learned in Ministering through the Arts and begin to reach out to your own community with the love of Jesus Christ.