Maher Studios

As the year came to a close, ventriloquists around the world heard the news that after 39 years of wonderful service, the doors of Maher Studios would come to a close. Clinton Detweiler and family have given their lives to compassionate service and encouragement of ventriloquists all around the world. They will be sorely missed, not only for their products, their repair service, and most of all, the quality people that they are. All the best to the Detweilers in their well-deserved retirement years! God bless you folks!

Carson Newman it is!

We began a search for a college for my daughter while she was a junior. She took her ACT test a few times. She toured many colleges. Some she liked, others she did not. At first there seemed like hundreds of possibilities, but the list was easily narrowed. We discarded some because they were way to big. Others were out of the running because they were way to small. Some were too far away. Others were too difficult to get in-- can students really earn a 4.6? Some were not the kind of school we would want to send our daughter to. Some did not have what she was looking for in a major. With all things considered, we finally decided on Carson-Newman College.

Carson-Newman is a wonderful small college about 35 miles east of Knoxville, TN. It has 2,000 students and is well regarded by the folks who rate colleges and universities. Princeton Review calls it one of the best in the Southeast. US News rates it in the top 35 masters degree granting colleges in the South.

So Carson-Newman it is!

A Visit with the Funeral Directors

I was asked to speak to the employees of a local funeral home today on the subject of why their work is important. It was their employee Christmas appreciation meeting and they wanted me, a local pastor, to put their work in perspective. Since they knew I did ventriloquism, they welcomed me to bring one of my "little buddies" along. So I did.

Ida Clair, a sweet little old lady figure, helped me to tell them how they make a difference with their compassion and attention to detail. The employees really loved it when Ida talked about owner geting to the Metal Ages. Middle ages I asked. No, the Metal Ages she replied-- he has silver in his hair, gold in his teeth, and lead in his behind. The place howled with laughter-- something you don't often hear in funeral homes!

It was a privilege to bring a smile to a group of people who work hard in a difficult setting to help people during very difficult times.

Dummy the Last to Say Goodbye

Although I have been a pastor for 25 years or so, this is the first time I have ever been asked to include one of my ventriloquist characters in a memorial service for one of our members. Chuck Brooks, a delightful 81 year old man went home to be with the Lord. He so loved the children's sermons that I do each Sunday using my puppets and ventriloquism figures that his family insisted that one of the figures offer the final words. How is that for unusual? But then again, these figures gave him great pleasure at a time in his life when there were many challenges and disappointments. So why not!

O Christmas Tree, O Holiday Tree

Roanoke, VA began it's "Dickens of a Christmas" celebration last night with the lighting of the "Holiday Tree." The print and broadcast media have had a field day with this politically correct nomenclature. Television stations have been running polls about what area citizens feel about this. About 89% seem to be quite upset that the tree is not called a Christmas tree.

What's the fuss? Christmas trees are rooted more in folk lore than religion anyway. If you really push it, you have to admit that they were "borrowed" from the pagans long ago. They certainly are not mentioned in the Bible as being a part of the birth of Christ. In reality, there is little to commend the practice from a theological perspective.

National, state, and city Christmas trees are merely an exercise in civil religion. Civil religion, or state sponsored quasi-religious ceremonies and customs are always watered-down, least-common-denominator type of "spiritual" exercises that lack the vitality of the real thing. What civil religion brings is form without substance. It offers the outer form of religiousness without the life that true spirituality brings.

Christmas tree, holiday tree-- call it what you will. The reality of it is that you should not look to the government to promote religion. If you do, you will be sadly disappointed and will have to settle for some generic, please-all expression that falls far short of the life-changing reality of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Happy Holidays!

I read that some of my fellow preachers are up in arms because Walmart instructed it's employees to say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. I guess I march to the beat of a different drummer but as I consider the Scripture, I find that the responsibility for going to all of the world with the gospel was given to the church, the body of believers. God didn't give the privilege of sharing the good news to Walmart, to public schools, or to government. Sharing the good news is the responsibility of believers. My celebration of Christmas is certainly not dependent upon the greetings of a Walmart sales clerk. I wish my fellow clergy would pay more attention to the weightier matters like alleviating poverty, working for peace, and seeing that justice is done.

All it Takes is a Sock!

If you have a sock you have a puppet waiting to be born. Think of what a ventriloquist named Sherri Lewis did with a couple of socks. With a little yarn and a lot of creativity, they became beloved characters for children and adults alike. Lamb Chop and Hush Puppy and Charlie Horse will long be remembered for the joy and fun that they gave us.

It doesn't take much... just a sock!

Practice, Practice, Practice

Ventriloquism, like any performance art, requires practice. I find that the more I have practiced the less I have to be concerned about moving lips. If I pick up a figure I haven't used in ages and try to wing it off of the cuff, and it could be a disaster!

We are all busy but I have found that one of the most convenient times I have to practice is when I am alone, driving down the road in the car. One hand on the wheel and the other hand free to rest a finger on my lips and I can run through the host of character voices and personalities as I go from place to place. At other times, I might practice using my free hand to practice coordination of movement and syllables of spoken text. Other times, I might be using the spare hand to practice figure manipulation. You can get a lot of practice time in if you simply turn off the radio and talk with yourself.

In addition, this kind of practice can allow you to talk things out. Sometimes, things that come to you in these sessions might even become parts of a routine at a later time.

Another way to practice in the car is to allow your figure to have a running commentary on the news you might listen to on the car radio. Maybe turn to a talk show and allow your character to interact with the host or call in guests' points of view. Have fun!

The Ears of the Beholder

As a pastor, I enjoy preaching and using ventriloquism in the children's sermon each week. What struck me today as I did both was what they had in common. The goodness of preaching and ventriloquism is often in the ears of the beholder. My own evaluation of my "performance" today was that I did not "connect" with my audience. They sat in the pews still and staring at me. It sometimes is difficult to tell if they are staring and plugged-in or staring and zoned out. Today was that kind of day. Much to my surprise, as the people left the church,several said it was the best sermon ever. Hmm. . . go figure, I thought to myself. One of the parents said later this evening that my children's sermon was the discussion topic in the car after church. "I got what Pastor Jeff was saying today," said the child to her parents.

Perhaps the lesson du jour is that on the best day and on the less than spectacular day, it is all in the ear of the beholder. If God can speak through a donkey in the Old Testament story of Baalam, then He certainly can use our meager efforts to do His work.

That's the Pastor's Office-- It's where all of the Dummies Are! 

Some of the great things about using ventriloquism as a pastor are that you have a place and an audience that are continuous. Many ventriloquists never have the same audience twice so the character they develop has one or two routines and it never develops much more than that. But the pastor who uses his or her figures on a regular basis will, over time, develop a wonderfully rich character who can be placed in all kinds of seasonal and interesting situations.
The other aspect of this is that the ventriloquist who is a pastor has the opportunity to keep the figures in his or her office. Children will find every opportunity they can to drop by the pastor's office for an impromptu visit with their favorite character. What an opportunity for practice and even more important, what a chance for education and inspiration. It is the bond between pastor and child that will later be important as teens face the difficult choices of adolescence.
On the door to my office is a banner that says "Merryheart: where life is a continual feast." It announces to all who pass by that the mythical town of Merryheart, where all of my figures live, is just beyond the door. New people in the church might ask, "Where does that door go?" They will probably hear, "Oh, that's the pastor's office. That is where all of the dummies live!"

Church Workers-- Full Time Work, Part Time Pay

I have been in the ministry for 25 years and have been in a number of different church settings ranging from the big city to the country church. One thing that remains constant across church size and denominational lines is the personnel practices of churches related to part-time professionals.

You must understand that churches do not fall within the customary employment laws that larger, for-profit organizations must follow. Churches are free to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or of course, religion. But what troubles me more than this,is the general expectation that part-time professional employees of churches are given positions with a part-time salary with the implicit understanding on the part of the church boards that the church can get full-time work from these folks while providing part-time pay. It happens almost without exception.

From time to time, there are those people who rise up to suggest the inequity and unethical nature of this practice. These "complainers" are often painted as some sort of materialistic heathen who is "in it for the money." Frankly, it is quite bizarre. If these folks were "in it for the money" I dare say they would have not chosen ministry in the first place.

I am of the opinion that the church should be the best employer anyone could possibly have. It should be a place where those working near full-time loads should be compensated with near full-time pay for their efforts. After all, doesn't the Scripture say that the laborer is worthy of their hire? Perhaps I am out of step, but it seems to me that the church should have higher ethical standards, not lower ones, when it comes to the treatment of it's employees.

Live a Longer, Happier, Healthier Life

Tomorrow, Debbie and I celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. The research shows that married people live longer, happier, healthier lives than their divorced or unwed counterparts. I believe it. One crusty old deacon pulled me aside 25+ years ago and said, "that is the best decision you'll ever make." He was right! I hope young people will learn from folks like us that marriage is gift from God and when treated properly, is meant to last for life!

A Talking Deer

A Talking Deer 

We ran into this full size, life-like 10 point buck in the Walmart sporting goods section. He is also available at K Mart. His head moves up and down and from left to right. His ears also wiggle in a very realistic way. The best part is that he comes with a microphone so that you can talk through the deer and the deer moves his mouth as you talk. Imagine the possibilities!

I am going to use this guy as a partner in the children's sermon. I'll have someone planted nearby to talk for the buck and have discussions that we can learn from. It will not only be funny, but educational as well.

Of course, those with a more sinister side can have lots of fun playing practical jokes on unsuspecting guests. Maybe I'll mount it near the door to my house and welcome trick or treaters!

There is a lot of fun out there ready to happen if you just keep your eyes open and put your mind to it!

Medicine to the Troubled Soul

I had the opportunity to perform at a sister church in our area this week. The church was mourning the loss of one of it's teenagers to an auto accident, and another teen remains in a coma.

While my visit to the church was arranged months in advance, it was clear to me that one of my purposes for being at this church at this time was to help minister to their troubled hearts through laughter and joy. Taking them out of their troubles for an evening was just what the doctor ordered. They had a ball. I am convinced that a merry heart is medicine to the soul and was glad I could deliver a full dose.

Are you bringing joy or sucking the life out of folks you encounter in your day?

Do You Have a Merry Heart?

In Proverbs 15:15 we read that for the merry of heart, life is a continual feast. This wonderful bit of wisdom is not a promise that everything will be rosey in your life. Rather, it is a suggestion that no matter what comes, having a merry heart will help you to endure and thrive. Those with a heart filled with humor and joy will weather the storms of life. Do you have a merry heart?

Multi-Sensory Approach Enhances Learning

We live in a visual world. Studies have shown the importance of visuals in the learning process. Is a picture worth 1,000 words? Well, research shows that when a teacher uses pictures as well as words, the students retain over 6 and a half times more information than when the teacher uses words alone. The more senses students use while learning, the faster and more efficiently they will learn.

Another important thing to note is that when information is communicated and is accompanied by emotion, such as joy or happiness, the information is more likely to be retained.

So what does this have to do with creative Christian ministry? Easy... pastors and church workers should avoid being "talking heads" for words alone will not last long. Be visual for maximum impact. That is why things like magic, or puppets, or ventriloquism, or chalk art make such a positive and lasting impression.

Don't just say it--- do it!

Talk With the Hand

Interpretive movement is an art form that is becoming both useful and popular in ministry settings. Half of the path to success in using this ministry form is in the selection of music. The selection of a song with understandable and compelling lyrics set to music which enhances the message is vital. Several contemporary Christian groups consistently offer songs that fit the bill. Look at the work of Ray Boltz or Mercy Me and you are sure to find something that is suitable. 

Ventriloquism: Novel and Entertaining

Following a brief appearance of one of my ventriloquism characters, a senior adult approached me smiling ear to ear. "How do you make that puppet talk?" she asked. She was surprised to learn that anyone can learn to do ventriloquism. In fact, only a half of a dozen of the letters of the alphabet will be a little more difficult to master. But anyone can do it.

The great thing about doing ventriloquism these days is that there are so few who have developed this skill. You can find magicians all around, but a ventriloquist is much more rare. As a result, many people have never seen a ventriloquist. When they do, they are all smiles. Ventriloquism is as novel as it is entertaining.

Give it a try.

How Are Ya, Doll?

"How are ya, doll?" 

Meet Dolly, a wonderful puppet made by the folks at puppet-planet.com

Dolly has a voice that is a cross between Fran Drescher (of the Nanny) and Roz (of Monsters Inc.). She is outspoken and lively. Her first time out was today as she spoke for a few minutes to the senior adults of Salem Baptist Church. They loved her. Asked about the experience, Dolly said, "So what's not to love?"

Hooked for Life-- Fishing, Faith, and Family

Creative ministry is about putting our passion to His purpose. God has given each believer a set of talents, interests, and passions that can be used to advance the cause of Christ. The apostle Paul used the body as a metaphor for the church. There are many parts, each different, but each vital in creating a living organism.

A friend of mine, Trevor Ruble, has created a wonderful ministry entitled Hooked for Life. You might visit his web page at www.hookedforlife.org His passion for fishing, faith and family comes together in a marvelous way. He has created a curriculum for use in churches to help people communicate faith and life lessons through fishing. The lessons that can be learned from fishing are amazing. For instance, learning about bait and lures are wonderful ways for us to come to understand temptation.

If your church is looking for a wonderful way to reach the sports enthusiast, build families, and create wholesome fun while learning about faith and the beautiful world God has created, drop Trevor Ruble an email at truble@hookedforlife.org

Puppets are Teaching Tools

Puppets are wonderful tools in education. Therapists use puppets to help children express their feelings. Teachers use puppets to improve language and communication skills in children. Clergy, police officers, and fire safety personnel have used puppets to help raise awareness and promote safety and health. Puppets can be a great teaching tool to increase attention and retention of information. So get your hands busy! 

The Hole in Seminary Curriculums

Seminarys do a good job in teaching the many academic disciplines needed to help prepare the next generation of church leaders. Things like history, languages, Biblical studies, homiletics, counseling and Christian education courses help shape the minds of future pastors and church staffers.

There is a missing piece of the puzzle. After some 25 years of pastoral ministry, I would suggest that what is lacking in preparation is some attention to the practical, creative skills that can come in handy in ministry. It seems to me that in the ideal world, a course that exposes future church leaders to creative Christian ministries is needed. Students need hands-on exprience in disciplines such as gospel magic, clowning, storytelling, puppetry, ventriloquism, balloon twisting, pantomime, or other tools to communicate the gospel in a unique and interesting manner. When you combine solid academic preparation with experiential learning and creative ministries, you have ministry that is effective and interesting.

Old Time Radio-- When Comedy was Clean!

Filth is not funny. Red Skelton insisted that humor was like medicine. When the comic uses filth, it pollutes the medicine and takes away its healing powers. He was right on track.

I have been listening to some old time radio programs and have been amazed at how funny these folks were without resorting to filthy material. Listen to folks like Abbott and Costello, Mel Blanc, Edgar Bergan and Charlie McCarthy, and others and you will see what I am talking about. You can listen for hours on end, laughing all the way, and not hear an off color joke. The best didn't stoop to the cheap and vulgar to get a laugh. It is sad some feel they must today.

Old time radio is a great source for ideas for skits, jokes, and fun. See how the masters did it way back when and learn from them. You can get all kinds of old time radio programs for next to nothing as much of it is in public domain now. I got several programs from a Canadian fellow (rschwarz9@shaw.ca) who collects them. You can get the entire collection of some old time radio shows on a single CD for under $5. They come in MP3 format, which means that you can play them on your computer, or, if you have an IPod or similar device, you can load them and take them with you. The amazing thing about this format is that you can fit 70 or more hours of programs on a single CD! That is a lot of laughs! Old time radio-- listen, laugh, and learn.

A Good Name is Preferred Above Rubies

The call me Flicker! 

People who use puppets have got to be some of the most creative and clever people around. I just finished looking at the puppets offered for sale on ebay and laughed out loud as I read the names of some of those little guys. For instance, you can bid on a black light puppet shaped like a lightbulb. Her name is GLOWria and she has a boyfriend named Bernie Bright(she is a lucky gal, many a boyfriend is not too bright!). My favorite name, however, was a black light candle puppet named Flicker!

If you are doing ventriloquism, puppetry, or other creative Christian ministry, give thought to the name of the character. Make it memorable. Make it fitting. Make it fun. As the Bible says, a good name is to be preferred above rubies.

Put your best hand forward! 

Talking With Your Hands-- Using Puppets in Ministry

Have you ever noticed how some people just can't seem to put a sentence together without using their hands? The faster some folks talk, the faster their hands seem to illustrate their ideas.

Let me suggest that some of the most effective ways to talk with your hands in minstry settings is by using puppets. There is something "dis-arming" (sorry non-pun lovers), about puppets. Seeing these creations of foam and felt, most people let down their guard a bit and allow new ideas to creep over the top of their defenses. Puppets can relieve anxiety, diffuse tension, and remind us all of a more gentle kind of life.

I visited the Smithsonian museum a few summers ago and saw a prominent display of a famous sweater with a zipper. That sweater belonged to a man who understood the power of puppets to encourage, inform, and uplift. In his own gentle way, Fred Rogers spoke volumes with his hands as he used puppets in ministry.

You might not be Mr. Rogers, but if you teach a Sunday School class, or lead children and youth, learing to talk with your hands will open all kinds of possibilities. Why not give it a try!

Puppet Resources: www.puppet-planet.com
www.maherstudios.com
www.onewaystreet.com

The Humorless Church

Wouldn't you agree that the image most people have of church is like that classic painting, American Gothic, with the sober, straight-faced farmer with a pitchfork and his wife. Many view church as a smile-free zone. How different this idea is from the image of Jesus in the New Testament who was so joyful that children wanted to be near him. I love the words of Jesus as he reminds us that he came "that our joy may be full." As someone once wrote, "Life is too short for long-faced religion."

Let me encourage you to just say no to the humorless church. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength!