CJA Newsletter #46, Winter 2009

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas from the Christian Jugglers' Association



Here are the three exciting articles in this quarter's newsletter. You can click on each one to visit that particular article or you can simply scroll down on this blog and read each one in order:

1. NEW and IMPROVED CJA Website

2. Dan Meyer on America's Got Talent

3. Christian Juggler Interview - Bob Cates

-Jesse Joyner, CJA President
www.ChristianJuggling.com

NEW and IMPROVED CJA Website

BRAND NEW CJA WEBSITE

We have done a complete overhaul of the CJA website, getting a new domain name (www.ChristianJuggling.com), a new "juggler's available" list, and an easy-to-use archive database with plenty of past newsletters in PDF form.

To visit the new website and wander around, click on the following link: www.ChristianJuggling.com

The old domain name (www.juggling.org/~cja/) will still lead you to the same new website.

Furthermore, if you have content, videos, or if you would like to be listed in the "juggler's available" portion of the new website, then send an e-mail with that information to christianjuggling at gmail.com (spelled out to avoid spam).

Please add this new website to your bookmarked pages. Pass on this website to any organizations who would be interested in knowing about it. And I will accept any and all feedback. Thanks!

Dan Meyer on America's Got Talent

Our very own CJA member Dan Meyer was featured on NBC's America's Got Talent this past season. He made it pretty far in the competition, going all the way to Las Vegas under the scrutiny of some tough judging. We congratulate Dan for his hard work. You can visit his website at www.cuttingedgeinnertainment.com

Christian Juggler Interview - Bob Cates

I asked our Canadian friend Bob Cates to answer some questions about juggling in his life right now. He answered in essay format, so I will let him tell his own story and updates. Read and enjoy!



Hi there,
My name is Bob Cates, and my show is called Comedy in Motion or Comedy in Motion with Bob Cates.
I have been making my living full time as an entertainer since 1995. I just got married last summer in my old age at 37 and my wife who was 38 at the time had been looking for a long time as well. Little did she know her husband was the guy who she had hired for a show in 2002. Yes you heard correctly. My wife has been the director of children's ministry at a few large churches for the last 10 years. In 2002 she hired me for a show for some carnival day they were having at her church. There were no sparks at that time which is a funny story in itself. Our paths crossed again 2 years later at another ministry event for just a moment. So we knew OF each other. But, we eventually connected romantically through www.christiancafe.com. Apparently I met every point on her 3 point list, and she met every point on my 27 point list! She now works in the business with me, doing one illusion, and assisting on stage and off. Being able to work and travel together with my wife was always a strong desire for me. And the Lord mercifully brought me a woman willing to quit her (very good, and fulfilling job) and do just that. We had a great first winter together with 4 months spent working on the Ms Statendam in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Although our cruise ship days are likely going to drop like a 5 ball mills mess, now that we are a "duel" act; there have been many cutbacks on cruise lines, attempting to save money by cutting two person acts (in order to save flight costs).

I learned to juggle in my last year of high school (age 18) by teaching myself with tennis balls. I was inspired when I saw a juggler on tv at school and said to my friend, "wouldn't it be cool to be able to juggle!" He showed me that he could do it himself with chalk brushes, and I went home that night and taught myself. It took about 3 hours, but I'm nothing if not persistent. After high school I had a year of Bible College, then 4 years at McMaster University for business. I started Juggling Clubs (societies) at both places and practiced on average for about 6-10 hours a week for those 5 years which is when I picked up my core skills.

I became a Christian at a young age, seeing the need for salvation from my sins, and was baptized at 18 before going off to Bible College. When I was a missionary in Lithuania for 7 months after university, I used the juggling to draw crowds for some street ministry. I started using the show to share the gospel closer to 1998 and beyond after being exposed to Christians in the arts in the United states doing such things, such as magicians, or Christian jugglers I met at the IJA conventions. I was actually good friends with Mike Koehler - the founder of the CJA though since we lived within an hour of each other.

My faith has grown in various ways over the years, and so has how I've shared the Gospel in the show. One thing I've rarely done (which seems to be quite popular in the US) is to share (Bible) stories with the juggling, for example. I've always tended to use the juggling oriented object lessons, and then go on to explain the Gospel. However this has changed over the last year. About a year ago I became aware of www.wayofthemasterradio.com (see also www.wayofthemaster.com and livingwaters.com) and, after having listened to many podcasts of the radio show, it has transformed the way my wife and I do evangelism from the ground up.

You can see our story here.

Our eyes were opened to use the Law (the 10 commandments) in sharing of the Gospel - but more than that we were inspired to share our faith more boldly than we do now (off stage and on).
This includes tracts, one on one conversations, and open air preaching. As a result,this has affected ministry shows in that I want to preach even more, and make the Gospel even more personal to the hearers. This has led me to encourage churches to use the following format.

First, I present a one hour show, then the MC takes the stage for 10 minutes and can share ministry info about the church, or videos, etc. Then I return to the stage out of character as myself and preach the Law and the Gospel (We broke God’s Law, but Jesus paid our “fine”) for about 10-15 minutes. This method allows me to keep the entertainment the entertainment, and the gospel the gospel. It also gives the church a few minutes of time to introduce themselves to any new faces from the community. We still do some shows, however, where the Gospel is incorporated into the show.

Here is a tidbit Americans may find interesting: Here in Canada, churches just do not want to charge tickets for a show/concert, OR even take up a freewill offering. There is a great resistance to either one of those, so I pretty much have to charge a set fee for the shows. They want to make the events free to the attendees of the outreach.

The latest juggling feat I've been working on is also one of the hardest things I do: Dance Dance Revolution while juggling. On the hardest song, on the hardest setting. This year, I've taken it to another level - TWO DDR pads (8 arrows) at the same time, while juggling. No one in the world is doing this, that I know of. Visit www.comedyinmotion.com for video.

My favourite part of the Bible is usually what I'm currently studying. I could not even say one book above another!
Regarding impacting others, I know I've inspired others to share their faith, as I have been by other bold Christians. For example, when working on cruise ships, I'll take my bible and study books and go wherever: the library, the deck, and study out in the open, where everyone can see (even after I've done the show). Talking one on one I now try to swing the conversation to spiritual things. In fact, I believe I've been more effective for the kingdom in the last 6 months than I have in all my life - and I'm referring to my life OFF stage. This shows the great impact that the ministry of Ray Comfort at Living Waters has been.

I'm very thankful to God for the ability to make a living at something as fun as juggling, especially considering that I was so shy growing up, and am still very introverted. I'm the epitome of doing all things through Christ who strengthens me. For my last words to those just starting out, or just hanging in there - don't quit - don't quit - don't quit!

Bob

CJA Newsletter #45, Fall 2008 - by Jesse Joyner

Hello Christian Jugglers,

I'm using this new format of a blog to communicate our quarterly newsletter of the Christian Jugglers' Association. This blog is very versatile in communicating. We can post articles, videos, links, and pictures as ways of staying in touch with one another and sharing ideas with each other. Please give me some feedback on this blog thing and let me know what you think. There are already three articles below this one on the blog - two are routine ideas and one is a recap of the 2008 Christian Jugglers' Conference.

VIDEO SUBMISSIONS
Also, if you have a YouTube account with videos, I can put you on the list from which we get the video feed at the top of this website. That means your videos can appear at random at the top of this page. Only submit your YouTube account if most or all of your videos on your account are clean and juggling related (ideally having to do with Christian juggling).

SAVE THE DATE
Save the dates of July 11th-12th, 2009. These will be the dates the 2nd Annual Christian Jugglers' Conference in the Winston-Salem, NC area - just before the IJA Festival in that same region. I already have one lead of a church that may be able to host us in High Point, NC (which is in the Greater Winston-Salem area). Stay tuned for more information on that.

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS
If you would like to post an article about a Christian Juggling routine idea or your testimony or something else encouraging for our readers, then respond to the christianjuggling e-mail that you got in your inbox. If you do not have that, respond to this blog below and I'll give your our membership information.

CJA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Our very own Dan Meyer has been showcased on NBC's America's Got Talent! He made it all the way to Las Vegas and he was one of the entertainers who was able to be voted in by viewers last week. Keep watching to see if he makes the cut. Congrats to Ben Hestness of Paul Arneberg's Jugheads for winning the Bronze in the Junior's at the IJA Festival last month!

Create Your Own Christian Juggling Routine - by Gary Luber

If you juggle at all, or want to juggle, regular practice is certainly an on-going requirement. Whether you practice daily or weekly depends on your plans for juggling. You may enjoy juggling as a hobby, you may juggle as a performer, or you may wish to use juggling to convey a message.

There are several fine books available with juggling routines already written to convey a Christian message. For some examples see http://www.jugglingworld.biz/shop/products_christian.html. I have used routines from books when I started and occasionally still do, but most of my routines I’ve developed myself. Quoting from a recent performing magazine “the best routines are personal ones”, and that’s what has worked for me. I’d like to share a few thoughts and hope it may help you.

As a Christian, I have several disciplines I need to apply in my life. Bible reading, prayer, worship, church involvement and sharing my faith are all basics. As I am about my daily life I often write notes to myself, an idea that comes to mind about a juggling routine or a teaching topic that really interests me, or a Bible principle that I’d really like to share (ideas from the Holy Spirit I believe). It’s not unusual that I get an idea during my quiet time with the Lord or during congregational worship at church. Later it’s always best that I add the idea to a notebook or computer file, for further development. I recall a performer who taught a class said “the difference between a hobbyist juggler and a professional is a 99 cent notebook”. Amen to that. Write down your ideas, because you’ll forget them later; even drawing a sketch is helpful. If you get a good idea when you are near falling asleep, get up and jot down a note (it really does happen, more often than you think).

Take time to intentionally just play around with your favorite juggling props (not the same activity as practicing juggling tricks). What does the prop look like? What does it remind you of? What can an audience imagine it to be? If I attach something to a juggling prop, what does it look like then? When I’m developing a teaching topic, like early American history for example, I can imagine a club as a musket, a flute, or the torch on the statue of Liberty.

I pray then as well. If it’s truly your heart’s desire to share a message, ask Him for ideas. Have a pad and pen next to you during your play time and write down ideas you get. Occasionally, ask family members who see you, or kids who may watch you, what they think your playing around “looks like”, what it reminds them of. Kids come up with good ideas that we are often too serious to think of. We want it done fast, but good ideas don’t arrive on a schedule. It’s understandable, most of our adult life we’re expected to be serious, to get things done, on time. But the best material for performing comes from taking time to relax, be silly and creative. As you are developing a routine, with patter (words) that go along with the juggling, write them down word for word, as you would say it. Personalize it. You can always improve it later (and you will).

Using juggling as a teaching tool is not like using magic, where you can look over a wide variety of tricks at a fine dealer table (or on line), subsequently buy a few tricks, then diligently practice and present them. Your juggling tools to work with are more specific and initially more limited. The three most traditional props are balls, clubs and rings. The next most popular are sticks, diabolo and cigar boxes. Expanding further include such tools as spinning balls, hats and rola bola. Some quick-start tools, which require less practice, include scarves, poi, balance feathers and spinning plates. Now expand your toolbox by playing with similarly-shaped tools (eg. toilet plunger, machete, oranges, eggs, a skateboard, etc) which really help your presentation become more interesting to an audience. Take time to stroll through the hardware store, or the pet store, and always the toy store. Review books and videos from the library of other performers, jugglers and non-jugglers. See what performers did 50, 100 or 200 years ago. It’s a great learning experience. Take a storytelling class to help you in developing patter. Lastly, I believe humor and action are important ingredients to convey a message.

After you get a routine to a place where it is “almost ready”, go ahead and try it out somewhere on an audience. The added pressure of a scheduled date forces you to complete it. Afterward you will undoubtedly want to improve it anyway. You honestly can’t wait until a new routine is “really ready”, because that means you’ll never finish it, or it will be years before you finish it (subsequently you know you’re going to tweek it again anyway). I know. I’m a good procrastinator. I’ve got many good routines in my notebook or in my head which I ought to finish someday. But it’s Sunday afternoon and the Lazy Boy chair looks so inviting right now. Zzzzz.

Mr. G has enjoyed performing for church and community audiences in the greater Chicagoland area since the early 1990's. He has taught juggling as a ministry at the International Conference of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians in Marion, Indiana. Locally, he teaches juggling for fun at the Fox Valley Park District in Aurora. For over 20 years, Gary continues to teach in children's ministry at his local church. Mr. G is a member of the Christian Jugglers Association, the Fellowship of Christian Magicians and the International Jugglers Association.
"I continue to do what the Lord has asked me to do, to use juggling as a ministry. I really enjoy juggling, teaching and performing. My hope is the character of Jesus Christ shows through, in all I do." Gary can be reached at mrgjuggler@sbcglobal.net

The Most Important Ball - by Steve Winger

To start this routine explain to the crowd that we are going to play a game called "the most important ball." Their job is to keep their eye on one special ball and point to it when you are done juggling. Start with just one ball and continue to add balls until you have reached your max. [It is helpful if you have balls that seem to look all alike, but can be distinguished by you up close] After adding balls to reach your maximum talk about how God wants to be the most important thing in each of our lives - He wants to stand out [pull out a brightly colored ball] like this ball. This bright ball represents God and how He wants to stand out in our lives. Try to keep your eye on the Ball that represents God. When I stop juggling point to the hand you think it is in. You all got it right! and that is how it should be - When people look at you they should see the most important thing and that should be God!

Steve was just 13 years old when he saw a man at a carnival juggling. It was that day that he decided he wanted to become a juggler. Through his high school years Steve became a street performer and juggled for the merchant association of a local shopping mall in St. Louis, MO. It was there that he learned to juggle and tell stories at the same time. Little did he know the impact this experience would have on his future.In 1984 while attending the University of Tulsa, Steve was asked to share a devotional for one of the campus ministries. He was asked to tell the story of the Prodigal Son in a creative way, where college students wouldn't be bored. Steve juggled the story of the Prodigal Son. The message was very well received. That night several members of the University of Tulsa football team were in attendance. They asked Steve to join them and share his juggling story at several high school Fellowship of Christian Athletes groups. Thus "Juggling for Jesus" came into being.The following summer God opened the doors for Steve to develop and expand his juggling ministry. The St Louis Post Dispatch got word of Steve's ministry and ran an article about him that was featured on the front page. That summer Steve had the opportunity to juggle for over 75 groups in 3 different states.After college, Steve continued his juggling ministry in combination with working on staff as a college minister. In 1989, Steve headed to Asbury Theological Seminary where he would receive his Masters of Divinity degree. While in seminary world of his juggling ministry again spread. Steve juggled at over 300 events in his 3 years at seminary.After seminary, Steve moved to Lubbock, TX, where he again served as a college minister. In January of 2002 Steve responded to God's leading and started traveling full time with his juggling ministry. He still lives in Lubbock, Texas with his wife Kim and his children Aaron, Faith and David.

Steve can be found at www.JugglerForJesus.com

The 1st Annual Christian Jugglers' Conference - by Jesse Joyner

Greetings fellow Christian jugglers,

If you missed the First Annual CJA Conference in Lexington, Kentucky this past summer, then we hope you can make it next year, because we had a great time. We had a little over 30 people (including family members), which is a good turnout considering our entire membership list was 66 at the time. Since then, our membership has grown to almost 90, and I expect that number to increase as we continue to spread the word about the Christian Jugglers’ Association.

The Conference started out with worship on Friday night, July 11th. David Cain played the guitar while we sang “Lord I Lift Your Name on High.” Some people juggled during the singing. Then David gave a presentation on the history and different types of Christian Juggling. On Saturday, we had a day full of workshops and open gym time. Nathan Dorrell taught people how to use the diabolo in ministry routines. David Cain taught some folks how to use plate spinning in ministry routines. He even brought out his new toy – the boomerang, which he managed to get stuck on the top of the heating vents in the auditorium we were using. There were probably 10 people helping to try and get the boomerang back down somehow – which they succeeded in doing. Grace Bidgood ran a “woman power” juggling workshop and did whatever women jugglers do when they get together.

On Saturday night, there was a showcase of Christian Jugglers. Anyone who wanted to perform a routine could come and share that with the group. Tim Elder started out with his Creation routine, which is very creative and clear is its message. Chase Martin managed to pull off a one-high back-flip out of three balls. The amazing Hodge brothers dazzled us with lots of objects combined with not many years of life on this earth. Jeremy Stanley did some great ball work to the tune of “Made to Love” by Toby Mac. His brother, Jeffrey, put to work his newly learned skills in plate-spinning from the conference.

On Sunday morning, some of the attendees spread out into local churches for ministry outreach using juggling. We visited some seven churches that morning and then we all convened for lunch at Ci Ci’s Pizza. That was the end of the conference, but some people stuck around for the IJA Festival the very next week. It was there that we got to have a CJA meeting in the middle of the week. We had an abbreviated version of the CJA conference, giving people the opportunity to share ministry routine ideas with one another. Check out the video below of the CJA Conference recap by Kevin Smith.



The real success in this CJA conference comes in the form of training and equipping jugglers to use their juggling skills to further the Kingdom of God. This may be tough to measure in the immediate, so I would love your feedback if you went to this conference. Let me know how this affected you in terms of equipping and encouraging you to use juggling as a form of ministry. I personally like knowing that I am not alone in this "pioneering" type of ministry. Just the fellowship alone can be encouraging.

The thing that sticks in my mind from the conference was something David Cain said in the opening session on Friday night. “It’s about the message,” he said. That sums up Christian Juggling. We can entertain all day long, but if what we are doing does not bring glory to God, then we are like a "banging gong or a clashing symbol." Furthermore, Paul Arneberg reiterated with me the fact that pursuing excellence in our craft (even without words) can bring glory to God as well. So, it's about the message - both the spoken and the unspoken message. Let us always point to the Lord for all that we do in the art and sport of juggling.