THE MINISTRY OF MIME

The Mime Ministry has become one of the most sought after ministries in the church. So many
young people are interested and eager to learn more about this ministry. Although Mimes are
used in the secular world for entertaining, it should not be so in the church. Yes, the Mime
Ministry will be entertaining and pleasing to the eye, but we must remember that it is a Ministry
and should be manifested as such.
The Mime Ministry is an art form that started long ago. It is important to know the History of
Mimes and where it all began.

THE HISTORY OF MIME

Primitive Times
Mime is considered one of the earliest mediums of self-expression. Before there was spoken
language, mime was used to communicate what the primitive people needed or wanted. Instead
of fading into the background, when spoken language was developed, mime had became a form
of entertainment.

Ancient Greeks and Romans

Where it all began. Masked actors performed outdoors, in daylight, before audiences at festivals
in honor of Dionysus, the god of theater. The most elaborate form of mime, known as
hypothesis, may have approached the level of true drama. This would be performed by
companies of actors, who would often concentrate more on the development of their characters,
than the plot itself.
Mime enjoyed much success and growth under Emperor Augustus of Rome.
After the fall of the Roman empire; the Christian church showed great opposition to the mime
and excommunicated all performers, and closed down all the theatres. Despite this, mimes basic
form survived. As the Churchs attitude slowly changed, plays began to appear with religious
themes, many performed in mime.

Modern Mime
There are (2) two major types of mime: literal and abstract or a combination of both.
Literal mime is primarily used for comedy and story theater. It tells a story with a conflict
through the use of a main character. The actions a visual design tell the viewers the
humorous story.
Abstract mime is used to generate feelings, thoughts, and images from a serious topic or
issue.

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND
In the Old Testament, Ezekiel was a prophet that was called to announce Gods judgment on
Israel, and other nations, and to proclaim restoration for Gods people. His preaching was not

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well received by the Jews who were with him in captivity. (Ezekiel Chapter 3) God gave Ezekiel
many methods, illustrations, and demonstration to help get the message across to the Jews.
(Ezekiel Chapter 4 & 5) Ezekiel acted out most of the methods and did illustrations for Israel.
Israel later became restored again and God renewed the Temple and a New Jerusalem. (Ezekiel
Chapter 40)
Ministering Mime is interpreting gospel music, using illustrations and non-verbal methods to
allow the congregation to understand what you are doing, just like Ezekiel demonstrated in the
Old Testament.
Just like Ezekiel used Mime as a technique to spread Gods Word, today all of us should take
heed and use this as a way to Minister to Gods people so that they too along with us can be
restored and set free.
Lets talk about the MINISTRY OF MIME

I MIMEIs this really my ministry?

First thing we must know is that the WORD OF GOD is the FOUNDATION AND THE KEY to
every MINISTRY. We as MINISTERS must KNOW and APPLY the WORD OF GOD to our
LIVES. EVERYDAY!!!
How do we learn more about Gods Word? The answer is we must study His Word. Pick up
your bible and begin to read and learn about him.
II Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
In order to study Gods Word, you must DISCIPLINE YOURSELF. DISCIPLINE is very
important for all Christians to possess. DISCIPLINE keeps you in line and in order. You must
be willing to except DISCIPLINE.
I Corinthians 14:40: Let all things be done decently and in order.
How can you minister or tell someone about someone that you know nothing about. Its time for
us to know God and not just know of him. We truly know God by knowing His Word because
He is the Word.
We can also learn more about God by attending and taking an active role in the tools that are setup at our local church.
Sunday School
Worship Service
Bible Study

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You must be involved in your local church; this helps you to grow in the Word. We hear the
Word of God every Sunday, but do we apply it. The Word of God is needed in the Ministry. You
cant make it without Gods Word.
Romans 10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
This is how we find our purpose. As we begin to read, study, get understanding and apply Gods
Word to our life, a relationship is formed and this is how you begin to walk in your purpose and
establish the foundation for your ministry.
What does purpose mean? Purpose: the reason for which anything is done, created, or
existsa fixed design
God has a purpose for your life. You must find out if being a Mime is your purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11: for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of
peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Some mimes are talented and some are gifted. There is a difference.
A talented mime is a mime that has learned the technique and the movements of mime. A
talented mime will learn the lead to a song and do it the exact same way every time. Now
this does not mean that he/she isnt serious about the ministry. This type of mime just likes
to know each move and go do it.
A mime that is gifted has something on the inside that is manifested on the outside. It is in
you and you know that God designed you for this. Your gift has become your purpose.
When you know your purpose and walking in your purpose, you allow the Holy Spirit to
move through you and for you. You spend time in your purpose, and you wont let nobody
or any unclean spirit come between you and your purpose. Why? Because you know that
although this is your purpose, you know that you were designed to glorify God and cause
people to run to him.
How do you know that Mime is the Ministry for you?
Are you apart of this Ministry because of your friends or parents?
Are you being forced to do something that you really dont want to do?
Have you asked God is this the Ministry for you?
These are some questions that you should ask yourself before taking on this Ministry. So many
are part of the Ministry as a group member and not a minister. To be involved in anything, one
must know what it means. What does the word Mime mean?
Miming is not a hobby or just something you do to waste time or entertain yourself. It should
not be treated like something on the side.
Mime as a (noun): an actor who communicated entirely by gesture and facial expression

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Mime as a (verb): a performance using gestures and body movements without words
Lets look at Mime as a (noun): the definition is mainly talking about someone who is acting or
we could use the word pantomime. This indicates that the person is being someone or something
that they are not. An actor takes on a role and betrays whatever the role is, but after the role as
ended, thats not the person that you saw in that role. Thats what an actor does. Whenever we
see our favorite actor in a movie why do we go see that movie?
(1) because our favorite actor is in it
(2) he/she is our favorite actor because he/she is very good in the part that they play
(3) because we get excited seeing our favorite actor and cant wait until the next movie.
Whatever the actor is doing, it draws us into the actor (character), the movie, and causes us to
tell others to go see that movie.
Yes, it is the same but different in the Mime Ministry. Yes we become an actor, but the difference
is our role doesnt stop when the song has ended. Thats the difference. Being part of the
ministry is just thata Ministry. We should not be like our favorite actor; thats a job for them,
this is not a job. Dont get confused and believe that you should become an actor and give a
great performance and then go back to your real role. If you do that, this Ministry is not for you.
Once you have become part of any Ministry in the body of Christ, there is no more acting, there
is no more playing. Once we accept this role, it becomes a permanent man.
II Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things are
passed away, behold, all things are become new.
There is no more acting. Ministry has become your focus. Your mind is focused on the things of
Christ and how to please him. Remember, your mind is like a camera; whatever you focus on,
thats what will develop. If you are not focused on ministry, then this is not for you. We think
that you must be a preacher or an evangelist to minister to Gods people. That is not true. We all
are ministers. The Mime Ministry should be a form of witness that glorifies God as well as your
daily life. Dont be holy only when you mime, and your life is unholy when the song stops.
I Peter 1:14-16: As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts
in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
To be holy means to live a holy lifestyle. Yes we are in the flesh and subject to sin, that doesnt
mean that we give in to sin. We have to deny ourselves daily. We must remember that we are
NOW carrying out the Ministry and the Purpose that God has for our life. WE MUST NOT
GIVE IN TO THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH.
Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in
me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave Himself for me.

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Galatians 5:24: And those who are Christs have crucified the flesh with its passions and
desires.
Our character is very important in Ministry. God wants us to be an example so that people may
come to him and give their life to him. We must possess the right character and attitude and
learn how to deal with Gods people. People are drawn to our character, if they dont like your
character they will not involve themselves with you. It was something about Christ that made
you decide to follow him. It was something about his character and the way he treated you that
made you surrender to him. It is the same with this Ministry. LET US BE MINISTERS AND
MINISTER TO THE PEOPLE.
Matthew 5: 13-16: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith
shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden
under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth
light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Lets remember that our works and deeds is for the Ministry all GLORY BELONGS TO
GOD!!!

II PERFORMANCE vs MINISTRYWas the crowd pleased or was God

pleased?
Lets look at Mime as a (verb): the definitions main focus is on a performance which means:
to give a public presentation ofto portray a role or demonstrate a skill before an audienceto
present a dramatic or musical work or other entertainment before an audience.
THE MIME MINISTRY DOES NOT PERFORMSTOP USING THIS WORD.
Yes, the mime is going to be entertaining; its suppose to be. Although you want the mime to be
entertaining, but it must be MINISTERED and NOT PERFORMED.
A minister is about serving othersto supply a need to the people. Gods people are hurting,
depressed, sick, ready to give up, etc. The Mime Ministry is there to uplift, encourage, and
minister to the needs of the people.
A performance is about you and how you feel. You just ready to do it and get it over with.
The Mime Ministry is concerned with pleasing God and not the crowd. How do we please God
in the Mime Ministry. You please God not only while you are ministering, but the most
important thing is what you do after you minister. Thats what pleasing God.

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When you perform, you have no need for ministry and what it means; especially when you get
through. If the crowd is up clapping and screaming then you happy and you satisfied with the
job you just did. But God is not pleased with the performance in front of the people and your
performance behind the people. So many of us are part of churches but the church is not in us.
Our life outside of the church is not the life God wants for us.
Romans 12:1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
So many of us are living double lifestyles. Yes, you are young but you must be an example for
those around you. Ministry changes you first. So many times we get before God and His people
with the stain of sin on us. We are releasing that spirit into the atmosphereand it becomes a
performance
Romans 6:5-14: For is we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we
also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified
with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of
sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that
we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no
more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin
once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to
be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign
in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as
instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the
dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have
dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Once we change our lifestyle and give it over to Christ, we become ministers. We have to allow
Gods spirit to reign in us and be made manifest in us. It must show on the outside. Ministers
produce good fruit with their lifestyle.Performers produce bad fruit with their lifestyle. The
people of God must see GOOD FRUIT.
Matthew 7:20: Wherefore by their fruits; ye shall know them.
We must Minister and please God. There are people in your mime group, church, and around
you that need to be saved. But how can we minister to people when we do the same thing that
they do.
Hebrews 12:1-2: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us
run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of
our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and
is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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III CHOOSING MINISTRY MUSIC Should the song minister to the
minister?
Before choosing a song to minister to, you must know what the song mean. Does the song relate
to you or your group? Dont pick songs based on whats popular now. If the popular song
ministers to you and your group then thats what you need to minister to.
When God gives you a song, it will minister to you or your group. If you choose a song that you
know the crowd will jump and scream to or if its the most popular song, then
(1) God is not pleased
(2) You are performing and not ministering
There is nothing wrong with the popular songs; it may not be your time to minister to that
particular song. Just because its popular, doesnt mean that you can relate to it at that time.
Some popular songs that Mime Ministries minister to:
Never Would Have Made It, He Saw the Best In Me, No Limits, No Boundaries, Hes Able, I Give
Myself Away, For Your Glory, etc.
There is nothing wrong with these songs, just make sure you know the meaning, it relates to you,
and you didnt pick it because it was the popular song.
The best way to please God in choosing your music; is to simple ASK HIM. Prayer is an
important key not only in choosing music, but in the Mime Ministry as a whole. Once you seek
God, he will give you the song that you need. Pray, ask God, and then wait and listen for the
answer. God will give it to you. Often time you have a song in mind, but His spirit (which is
God) will tell you otherwise. Follow the Spirit, you will never go wrong.
Some Mime Groups choose songs by secular artist. The secular artist will have one song on their
CD that has a spiritual or uplifting meaning. The problem with this is the other songs attached to
the CD. The question is why you (a Mime Minister) would have this type of CD in your music
collection. This causes unwanted desires, mindsets, and unrighteous thoughts that plant seeds
into our spirit which produces sinful acts.
If you are a part of the Mime Ministry, its just certain things that you cant watch, listen to, or
entertain. You have to be careful about the seed you allow to be planted in your spirit. As a
minister, you are separated, set apart for the purpose and the plan that God has for your life.
Now I know we have friends or know others that have not decided to live for Christ. You can not
do what they do and then they see you minister. You must remember the greater man thats
inside of you.

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I John 4:4: Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that
is in you, than he that is in the world.
You no longer do what you used to do because of whats inside of you. Once you give your life
to Christ, you will not be comfortable in living a double life.
I John 1:8: A double minded man is unstable is all his ways
For your ministry to truly be effective, you must be an effective witness. Your works and your
lifestyle must represent that of Christ. You can no longer hang out and be part of what you used
to be. You may say, Im just hanging out with them, Im not doing what they doing. You
must separate yourself. Friends or No Friends. If you stand in dirt long enough, you will get
dirty.
How does this relate to picking music? Because once you become a Minister, every area of your
life must be pleasing to God.
So the question becomes: Is my secular lifestyle in conflict with my spiritual display?
Why would you show someone something and then turn around and give them something else.
People, just like you, want what they see. If they see two people they wont know how to
receive you, they wont respect you, and they wont listen to what you have to say.
Psalm 1:1-6: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth
in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the
Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the
rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and
whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the
wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor the sinners in
the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the
way of the ungodly shall perish.

IV MINISTRY UNIFORMS/FACE PAINTAs long as its in style its cool

with me
MINISTRY UNIFORMS
Some may think that the uniform or your appearance should or doesnt matter. IT DOES.
You and/or your group must be in order and must be on one accord. How often have you seen
someone up before you and youre distracted because of what they have on or how much makeup or lack there-of that they have on. You must not be a distraction from the Ministry.
Dont go before God and His people any kind of way. Treat God and His people like he treats
you. God always gives us his best; he doesnt just give us anything.

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The uniforms that we wear must be in modest taste and in order and proper clothing for a
spiritual setting. Remember, THIS IS A MINISTRY.
We must make sure that our uniform doesnt plant the wrong seed. Tight tops, bottoms,
revealing tops, bottoms (male/female) must not be worn. This causes the people to focus on
what you have on instead of the ministry. Men, women, young men, young ladies, boys, and
girls can become enticed by what you have on and then they focus on you and your body parts
instead of the ministry. We must remember that everyone that comes to church or at the place
that we minister is not saved and not trying to be saved. We must be in order.
If your uniform is tight or revealing, you will get approached and have some unwanted attention.
Now, if you want the attention, then this is not the character of a minister. This causes your flesh
to rise, your mind to planning, and your body to carry out the plan.
I Corinthians 6: 17-20: But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication.
Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth
against his own body. What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a
price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods.
The body that we have does not belong to us. We must not allow our flesh to stain the ministry.
As young people, we like it when others like us and we get attention from other boys and girls.
We must be careful. This can cause us to lose our focus. We will then become performers and
not ministers. One person in your group can be infected and if you dont stop the infection, it
will spread and destroy the entire group.
FACE PAINT
Is this really important? I mean its just paint. YES IT IS
I have seen some mime groups without their face painted. Although the paint shouldnt be the
focus of the ministry, but your face should be painted. Whether you want whole face or half is
up to you. The paint on your face helps to intensify your facial expressions.
There are some mime groups that have designs or different color face paint on their face. Again,
this is your choicebut make sure you have a reason for doing that. Does this apply to the song
that you are about to minister. Dont do it because it looks good. Remember, you dont want to
be a distraction.
Some mime groups use mask. I do not suggest this because facial expressions are a key factor in
the Mime Ministry. You tell the story with your body movements and your facial expressions. If
you wear a mask, we wont see your face.

V THE IMPORTANCE OF PRACTICEWhy should I go, I know that song

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What separates a Beginning Mime, a Mediocre Mime, and an Experienced Mime? PRACTICE
Some of us feel that you dont have to practice because you know the song. Whether you are a
solo mime or part of a group, PRACTICE IS A MUST AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Dont become so sure of yourself that you think that you are too good to practice. Dont let pride
set in. God doesnt need you and neither does the ministry. God wants you, but he doesnt need
you. Pride is a terrible thing to have. Thats a stain that can infect and affect the group. It must
be dealt with. Pride causes you to think that the group cant make it without you and that it will
stop if you stop. Dont let the enemy deceive you into thinking that you are the only one that can
mime.
Practice allows God to see how much work and how much time and effort that you put into the
ministry. You must spend time in practice and try your best to please God; even in practice. You
cant practice for one hour twice a week and expect God to be pleased. That is not your best, and
God wants and deserves your best.
We must not wait until we get to the program to minister, IT MUST START AT PRACTICE.
We should minister so in practice, God will make an unscheduled appearance at your practice.
Allow Gods spirit to flow freely in you, let God use you so that you, your time, and the people
will be restored and lives will be changed, and above all GOD WILL GET THE GLORY.
Proverbs 8:13: The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way,
and the forward mouth, do I hate.
Proverbs 16: 17-19: The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way
preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better
it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
This is a ministry and you must remember to treat it and think of it that way at all times.
People calling and asking for your ministry to be on program is a good thing, but does that really
mean that you are ministering. NO IT DOES NOT!!! Be very careful about excepting every
engagement. Make sure to get detailed information (Date, Time, Place, Type of Program,
Number of Songs, and Contact Person) about the event.
Booking engagements are great and its good that your calendar is full, but if you are going to
program after program, event after event, and workshop after workshop and your life doesnt
reflect Christ, then its all in vain. Dont get it twisted, God will not honor and bless your mess.
God is and will not be a part of your mess. Your prideful spirit will not be honored by God.
Pride causes our flesh and our attitude to go against Gods way. We turn a deaf ear to the things
of God and the ministry. We think that we are important and we are the best at what we do. God
is not pleased with this spirit.

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Romans 8:7: The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, it does not submit to Gods
law, indeed it cannot.
Stay humble and God will exalt you. He will elevate you. You will have more engagements
than you can handle. God will and always take care of His people.
I Peter 5: 6-8: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt
you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour.
Ecclesiastes 7:8: Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in
spirit is better than the proud in spirit.