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FriarShaun New user New Mexico 81 Posts |
I have found that often the object lesson, trick, visual aid, or story is remembered but the message was lost. My question is, do we always have to have a parable attached to every trick? Can illusion simply be used to connect with a group of people, entertain them and earn the right to talk with them? When we try to tie a gospel message to every trick it greatly restricts our ability to connect.
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Terry Owens Inner circle Ft. Wayne, Indiana 1707 Posts |
You look frightened in your picture...don't be scared...lol
It depends on the type of program you are doing, when I do my 'Can you Believe' program, it's a blend of entertainment and ministry. So the answer is no, it doesn't always have to be a message with every effect. |
Tony Brent Regular user Orlando, Florida 156 Posts |
Even when I do my Gospel persentations I do not exclusively do "message" effects. I mix it up and go deeper in the message in the latter part of the program. It seems to work better for me.
Tony Brent Orlando, Florida |
David McCall New user 76 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-05 21:44, FriarShaun wrote: I think that if you're doing a gospel show, then yes, most will have to have some sort of lesson, but my feeling is for the non christians, it has to be more integrated into the trick than when you "preach to the choir." But do I feel that magic HAS to have a specific christian message? no. I'm a secular illusionist, but I can still be a christian. You just tweak what you do. I have a Christian friendly comedy mentalist act where a character claims to have ESPN, and then we do a comedy blindfold routine. But, you could argue that as an effective illusionist, all of your work should have a message, and that message should not conflict with christian values. People are complaining about the "Pirates who Don't Do Anything" movie, as it's put on by the Big Idea people, who do Veggietales and 321 Penguins. They argue that it's completely secular, and that it has no "redeeming christian value" for kids. But if you think about it, and if you know much about Veggietales and "Silly Songs," The pirates weren't about throwing out a Christian message. It was just a silly song using characters from a christian show. Very few of the "Silly Songs" vignettes were blatantly selling a christian message, so they have a right to put in a more overt christian message, or not; as long as these characters did not violate the general Christian morality. Jesus' parable's weren't only about how to worship just as christians, but they were also sometimes about how ANYONE at that time should act. One argument that helps us is in that "ten commandments in offices and schools" issue is that they're not just good rules for Christians (and only Christians), but they're great rules (if only everyone followed them!) in general. Don't cheat on your wife or husband. Respect your parents. Parents, don't provoke your children. Don't steal. Etc. |
Terry Owens Inner circle Ft. Wayne, Indiana 1707 Posts |
But you don't have to have a lesson for every effect you do in the show...unless you do a theme, otherwise you could have a series of non connected stories and that's just bad preaching. That is like a pastor preaching all the bible stories in one sermon. When I do my Upward program, it's almost all entertainment till I get to the last 15 minutes then I do my special presentation of "the power of the Blood" it still has an aire of magic but the focus is on what Christ did for us. I have adults and children who come to know Christ through that presentation. Very visual, very impactful and with the help of the Holy Spirit very life changing...and I give God the glory!
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Ethan the emazing Elite user anywhere but here USA 454 Posts |
You definitely do not have to use a message for every effect. When I do magic on the street as an evangelism tool I just do magic, then give them a gospel tract and talk with them if they ask more about it.
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Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
Kind of a street version of how Andre Kole stages his CCC Illusion shows.
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
Joe Marotta Special user Can You Believe I Have 944 Posts |
Andre doesn't just pass out a tract and wait for someone to show interest before he shares. He presents the message of salvation without reservation because he earned the right to speak during his show.
Cudo's to Ethan for at least passing out tracts to people. You can find some really good ones at http://www.livingwaters.com To answer the Topic Question "Do our illusions have to preach?", my answer would be no. But WE have to preach. Go into all the world and preach the gospel. 150,000 people die each day and enter into eternity. Time is short. |
Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
Quote:
Andre doesn't just pass out a tract and wait for someone to show interest before he shares. He presents the message of salvation without reservation because he earned the right to speak during his show. I caught his CCC show at Miami University a few years back. The message aspect was contained in his Q-A session after the regular show, and in a private, post-show gathering that followed. He made it clear from the beginning what he would be doing, letting those who were not interested in the message know that they could depart after the regular show. Perhaps he has changed his format since then, but that's how he handled it when I saw him.
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
REV BILL Special user Glen Burnie Maryland 795 Posts |
My 2cents worth is this. I start with a comedy warm up. Then flashy opening to music.Then have 2-3 fun and audience tricks. I always do a trick to show what magic is as Duane Laflin suggests. This is a lead in to the theme or lesson for the program.Each point in my basic outline(usually 3)has an illustrated trick.Recap what we saw/said. Close with a "Grand Finale" trick and invitation.This format has worked well for me. I think we need to establish ourselves as "magicians" to gain respect for them to listen to what we have to say later on in our program. People want to laugh so win them to yourself first then the Lord can win them to Himself.
Specializing in Family Entertainment,Gospel,Comedy and Educational programs for over 30 years.(Order of Merlin)
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Joe Marotta Special user Can You Believe I Have 944 Posts |
Hi REV BILL, Sounds like a great formula for any show. I agree with you we need to gain respect from our audience with our skills before they will listen to what we have to say.
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
I use the magic to atract the audience's attention, and I love illustrating the the message with an effect. But what I think is really powerful, after all to the fun and creative teacing, is to walk away from your table, away from the magic, and speak from your heart.
And you certainly don't need a trick to teach either. Why, I've watched my pastor preach every week for years and I've not seen him tie in a trick yet!
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Joe Marotta Special user Can You Believe I Have 944 Posts |
Hi Ken,
Welcome to The Magic Café! It's great to welcome a full time professional performer to the ranks. Your website is very well done. And you've got some very nice letters of recommendation there too. Glad to see that you've joined us and jumped right in! Looking forward to more posts from you. Best, Joe |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Thanks for the warm welcome Joe. I'm glad to be here and am amazed at the wealth of information in this forum.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
George Sprague New user 1 Post |
I have struggled with this over the years as well. But, I hope this will help you. Whether it's in church, a birthday party, a classroom, or in an auditorium, if you are known as a magician, the people who are there will expect a magic show. So give them a magic show. They've come to see magic, so you don't want to dissappoint them, or to bore them. Then, toward the end of the show, close with a few effects that make a single point. Do not try to cover a zillion topics. If you can make the point with one really strong effect, that's what you should do. Finally, as I have already stressed, if you don't entertain them they won't remember you or your point.
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