|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
drkptrs1975 Elite user North Eastern PA 452 Posts |
I am just curious, how do you guys use the Magic to spread the Gospel. Here is what I do, I start off with an effect to show why I am doing what I am doing that is to present the gospel. I will use many effects and comedy routines in the middle, and then end it with an effect to show a message, and then I give a message. How do you guys use it.
|
|||||||||
Rickfcm Veteran user lower Michigan 382 Posts |
I do not use gospel magic in a show, I use it in Sunday school. It is interwoven with object lessons, balloons, puppets, power point and more. I generally start with fun stuff, get into the message. In the middle I lighten it up with fun and then end on a serious note. Then they are sent to their small groups to talk over the lesson. I teach, with my wife, once a month for 20 to 30 minutes.
Rick |
|||||||||
Terry Owens Inner circle Ft. Wayne, Indiana 1707 Posts |
I actually go from church to church doing hour long programs featuring "Gospel magic" and most of the time I'm at a church 3 to 4 days. I have a topic that I want to teach about and then illustrate that topic with illusions. It has worked great for me for over 20 years. I typically replace vacation bible school, they bring me in instead. Very evangelistic in nature we've had 46 ask Christ to come into their heart this month and over 50 in June.
|
|||||||||
tbaer Inner circle Pennsylvania 2003 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-07-31 10:54, Terry Owens wrote: That's fantastic to here about that many coming to Christ. You have a great ministry. |
|||||||||
Terry Owens Inner circle Ft. Wayne, Indiana 1707 Posts |
Thank you tbaer. There are some that don't like my brand of ministry in the magic profession, but I would rather do what God wants...
|
|||||||||
davidemerson New user 7 Posts |
Terry, can you give some tips on how you market yourself to churches? I made up a great website and very nice brochures. Sent them to 250 churches, and only got one booking. Yes, not all churches "approve" of Gospel Magic, but, still I would think that out of 250, that I should have gotten at least ten phone calls from it.
What I have done, though, is take our Gospel Magic show to nursing homes and homeless shelters. They generally cannot afford to pay anything, but at least some of them DO allow me to come in with a Gospel message, and allow me to do an altar call at the end of my show. ------- But, back to the purpose of the thread... I have that you can take ANY magic effect and tie it in with a Gospel message. Heck, you can take a bar of soap and find a gospel message that ties in. Pick a few key themes that you would LOVE to talk about if you suddenly were in front of an audience of 500 people. For example, I like to talk about (1) encouraging people; (2) Hollywood presents a false Jesus that is dull, weak and cold; (3) Jesus offers us an incredible life full of adventure, excitement and growth. So, I find ways of constantly going back to these key themes throughout my show. Then, at the end, I give a summary statement of 5 to 7 sentences. I then do an altar call. (I've watched various tv evangelists to get some ideas on how to conduct an altar call. Sometimes I get nobody, and once I had 25 at the same time and was thrilled.) There is nothing greater in all the world than to lead others to Jesus Christ. I would not be able to do this without Gospel Magic, unless I was out on the streets as some street evangelist or something. By having a Gospel Magic show, I can get into places that might not otherwise bring in a preacher and give them an audience. Its all about planting seeds. I'm looking forward to learning in Heaven about the results of our Gospel ministry and what seeds were planted in all of the audiences we performed for! May Jesus bless you in your pursuits! Come back to the Café often and give us feedback on what you are working on so that we can help to accelerate your progress! |
|||||||||
Terry Owens Inner circle Ft. Wayne, Indiana 1707 Posts |
The lack of bookings is not necessarily due to they don't believe in using magic, it has to do with pastor's protecting their pulpits and churches. I don't let just anyone come and minister at our church. They need to be highly recommended or I know their life personally. That's the way many pastor's operate, it's a word of mouth situation. Direct marketing to churches usually does not work, but if your pastor, or a pastor you've done a program for will recommend you to other pastors that's how the snowball gets rolling. The other thing, as a pastor, I have never once looked for someone to come into our church and entertain us. So churches as a venue to entertain in is not a good venue.
If you do mailouts to churches, most probably ends up in the junk mail file, mr. trash can...actually if you get a response of one show that is a good response. Direct marketing or mail outs is a numbers game but if my memory serves me right, you can expect only 1 to 3 reponses out of a thousand direct mail pieces. Ultimately it boils down to are you called to minister using magic as a means to get the message across. If the answer is yes, God will open the doors. That's how I went from never doing what I do to being booked 2 years in advance...But my first contact came from one on one, face to face with a pastor handing him a business card. They had a need, I was able to fill it. An idea you might want to consider is what Toby Travis does, he looks for churches to sponsor his coming to town and they do ticket sales to the events. What I've shared is based on over 20 years of working in churches and being in the ministry. Keep the faith! |
|||||||||
Ken Sibley New user 71 Posts |
Terry is right. I've been traveling across our nation Full-Time for the past 5 years (35 states and Canada this year already). Most Booking have been word of mouth. Also, cold calling. I have a website for those who want to know more about my ministry. I tried mail-outs many years ago. It doesn't work, if you are looking to preach the Gospel with Illustrated Messages (Magic with a Message). With some who have not seen you, you still have the hurdle concerning "Entertainment". Get with your pastor. I'm sure he goes to meeting with other preachers (I've been a Pastor and Missionary in the past). He can introduce you to those who might use you.
Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand!
|
|||||||||
revlovejoy Special user Pennsylvania 765 Posts |
I'll also back up what Terry is saying about marketing. I am pastor of two small semi-rural churches, with an office in my parsonage. I get 3 copies of every mailing. If it's advertising a traveling singing group, or anything remotely like it, it goes right in the trash. Churches of all sizes are inundated with advertising, from chairs and floor polish, to stained glass window repairs, to every entertainer out there.
If you're looking to get to the level of commitment and travel that Terry is at, I can't help you there. But as a very part timer in this myself, I will give you a little inside info. Maybe this is useless, becuase this phenomenon may be unique to my partof the country, I don't know. Most churches around here have a women's group that has an annual Mother-Daughter banquet around mother's day. They always want entertainment as part of a "program" which usually also consists of hallmark type "readings" or poems, awards for oldest, newest, mothers, that kind of thing. They don't tend to expect to pay well at all. (Where However, they are a great starting point for church work. They lead to referrals to other church functions, and word of mouth starts. |
|||||||||
Kif Anderson FCM forum Staff 1961 - 2012 386 Posts |
Consider showcases to let folks know what you do, networking with other performers, & creating newsletters
Showcase Something that works really well is creating a showcase. Find a few performers, they don't have to all be magicians, and do a show at one of your churches. Then personally call and invite ministry leaders in your area to come and see the show. Then make sure folks participating have materials to share for information to book you. Also after the performance, have a time for meet and greet. Also the show itself can be promoted to bring folks in and share the gospel. This is far more effective than sending a demo video. Network Once a performer does a program, the church is eager to have another in a few month or in a year. However, they like variety. So let them know that you work with others in the arts to do this and would gladly recommend someone for their next event. This isn't giving away work as these other acts are doing the same thing for you. Also consider doing a show with another performer and let them perform a small segment in your show. I had folks do that for me when I was starting in Gospel illusion...and it not only gave me experience, it "got me out there." Newsletter Finally, send out a newsletter of what you are doing. This reminds places you've been that you are still out there. Make sure to include pictures of shows you've done. It also keeps you fresh in the minds of folks in ministry when they get calls asking "do you have any suggestions for programs?" That's my advice for promotion. Think "help others" and they will likely help you. ><> J Kif Anderson
We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing. - Billy Graham
<BR> <BR>Sharing the gospel with Comedy & Illusion www.ozandwilde.com |
|||||||||
peculiarone Veteran user Fence almost done. I've already put in 324 Posts |
I just perform as a regular magician and use that to establish rapport and relationships with people. Then the Lord opens the door for me to share Jesus with people. Works great!
pO |
|||||||||
davidemerson New user 7 Posts |
Wow, a wonderful collection of very practical ideas! Very appreciative!
|
|||||||||
Tony Brent Regular user Orlando, Florida 156 Posts |
I have been experimenting with both interweaving the message within the routines and also performing my normal show and then giving my testimony at the end. For me right now, it seems to work better to simply perform, then give my detailed testimony at the end. Since I am a comedy performer, the presentation seems to flow better that way.
Pray about it. Don't try to do it on your own. Let the Holy Spirit guide you and you will not go wrong. Tony Brent Outta Control Magic Show Orlando |
|||||||||
Kif Anderson FCM forum Staff 1961 - 2012 386 Posts |
As for how my ministry goes about using illusion to share the gospel...
Perhaps one effect in the show I do might have no Biblical message...done just for the humor of it...establishing characters...but most have very focused scripts with humor weaved throughout. Since what I do is a comedy duo, normally the message that is taught is because my character Wilde (the spiritual misfit) gets something confused. Example...when the verse Mark 16:15 is picked (printed on Jumbo Cards for Chance Wolf's Balloon Wand effect)...Oz turns to Wilde and says, "that's the verse about the great commission. Wilde tell them about the great commission." Wilde replies, "Um...great commission...great...great...Well God is great...God is good...(bows head)...Let us thank Him for our show. Amen...(head back up) And commission is like what you pay an agent...(energetically)...oh...and an agent wants you to give him 10% and God wants us to give Him 10%...and because God is great...what we give Him we call the Great Commission." Needless to say Oz tells Wilde to get his Bible and read the verse. In the process of this effect...we are able to really drive home in the audience's mind that the Great Commission is to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone, everywhere." (in case a reader here didn't know the verse) I suppose we "pack a lot of theology" into our show, but we don't hit people over the head with it. However, when we get to the end, the gospel has been shared and we give an invitation. And the Lord touches hearts and many have made decisions to accept Jesus. However our shows not only evangelize to help win hearts, it is to encourage those who are believers to want to get out and share the message as well. Anyway...that's how my act shares the gospel. ><> J Kif Anderson http://www.ozandwilde.com (if you're curious)
We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing. - Billy Graham
<BR> <BR>Sharing the gospel with Comedy & Illusion www.ozandwilde.com |
|||||||||
davejesc New user David Juraschek 83 Posts |
I use illusion as a visual grabber. It's secondary to the message, but it does draw the viewer. There is always a story that compliments the illusion. This is the key, and the illusion helps to visually anchor the main point(s) of the message.
A poor example which comes to mind is the magic coloring book. As I talk about going through a transformation in life because of faith in Christ, the book also changes until it is finally filled in with beautiful pictures. Of course, the patter used is very understandable, but seeing the change in the inside of the coloring book as I talk about my changes makes the point clearer. This is especially helpful when presenting an illusion to someone of another culture, nationality, and more especially - language group. When I go with mission teams to other countries, I teach the team members the coloring book illusion. They are able to use it to share their personal HIS-story/testimony. Somehow, using this simple illusion makes it easier for them to share, and it certainly conveys the point of being changed to the audience. (In the framework of these mission trips, we might do a number of different things in our presentation, only one of which is an illusion, but all parts together conveying the Gospel message.) So too with other illusions. Framed with a meaningful patter, they help to convey complex ideas simply and clearly. There is a wonderful use of the 21st Century Silk illusion that clearly and succintly presents the "Good news" finally illustrating how Christ Himself bridges the gap between God and Man. It's pretty powerful when done well - and clear as can be. |
|||||||||
Rock_Slatestone Regular user Been Here A While But My Post Count Is 120 Posts |
While I don't perform gospel magic anymore. One thing that I would do differently if I started gospel magic again is to keep the tricks separate from the Message. The good news that Jesus paid the price for our sin is so important that I don't want the audience to be concentrating on how I performed a trick but to hear the gospel.
|
|||||||||
Ken Sibley New user 71 Posts |
I prefer to preach a message (I'm a preacher first) using the Gospel Illusions as illustrations weaved in the message (I've been doing magic for 37 years). I've seen over 1000 saved in almost 5 years. Along with God and His word, it seems to do the job!
Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand!
|
|||||||||
Terry Owens Inner circle Ft. Wayne, Indiana 1707 Posts |
I just finished up a 6 day, 6 city tour with 94 getting saved during the programs. The program was high in entertainment, great magicial effects, and wonderfully anointed by the Holy Spirit.
I do it both ways, sometimes I do a routine and tie in a message at the end, like "Bet your Bucks" and then sometimes I use the effect to teach the lesson and it because an object lesson. I don't think there is a right or wrong way because it all depends on the type of calling you have and the personality you have. |
|||||||||
Terry Owens Inner circle Ft. Wayne, Indiana 1707 Posts |
Some of you have already seen these...but if any of you are interested, follow this link http://www.totalfamily.net/television.html it shows me doing Gospel magic for television. The Kids Thought spots are aired in 170 countries weekly with a minimum viewing audience of 5 million people.
|
|||||||||
Tony Brent Regular user Orlando, Florida 156 Posts |
Love these spots Terry!
Tony Brent Outta Control Magic Show Orlando |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The Good News! » » How do you use Magic to present the Gospel. (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.06 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |