Cooperation or Collaboration?

Last summer I traveled with DonB! and Ben Christensen doing the L.O.L. Show. This is an hour and a half comedy show that features juggling, unicycling, comedy mime, and craziness. What a blast! We had a great response with standing ovations at practically every spot. We are preparing to do more shows this summer too.

DonB! is a former RBBB clown and Disneyland performer. He's an awesome juggler and an award-winning unicyclist. (See more at http://www.donbministries.com/)

Ben is a wonderful juggler, diabolo-ist and physical comedian too. (Info and videos at http://www.bencomedy.com/)

Early on, each of us decided that we would not compete with each other for time, attention, or artistic content. Our unified goal was to make the show the best it could be for the sake of the audience. Our personal egos were not going to get in the way.

As we began to plan the show, each of us had opinions, and often times we would stop and simply ask each other's opinion. Sometimes we would discuss it. Sometimes we'd simply go with another's opinion.

We didn't need to be concerned about whether we had equal stage time, because we each understood we all were an integral part of the show. It was about "the whole," not just the individual parts. Now, each of us had developed individual strengths that we brought with us, and they were showcased. We all wanted each person to be featured because we knew that it would make the show stronger.

We decided to not compete for time and attention. We decided to collaborate, each bringing his strengths forward and helping the others to look their best.

How does this apply to you? How does this apply to ministry? Here it is:

First of all, in your clown ministry you need to have a spirit of collaboration rather than competition. It's about making everyone a winner, not just having one person be "the star."

Secondly, find the strengths of each clown and allow that to shine forth, even if it's just a small part of the program.

If you are the clown that's shining just during that brief time, that's alright! You are an integral part of the whole. Keep working on your skills, and keep looking for ways that you can make the whole team look good.

Third, while looking at the program always ask yourself, "What could make this a better experience for our audience." It's about THEM, it's not about YOU. You may need to hold onto that solo comedy piece for another time if it doesn't help the unity of the show. Let someone else shine.

Fourth, someone needs to be respected as the "final word," when differences of opinion occur. Any living creature with more than one head is a monster. In the L.O.L. Show, both Ben and I decided that we wanted to go with Don's opinion if we all disagreed initially.

Fifth, while working with a clown ministry team, look for ways to keep everyone connected and involved with the fulfillment of the vision. Make sure that everyone knows they are appreciated and are crucial.

You see, this is more than cooperation. Cooperation is working along with someone. Collaboration is working together. Cooperation may be going along with the plan, even if your heart isn't in it. Collaboration is expending effort and investing yourself into other's lives for the betterment of the program and the performers.

In your ministry, I encourage you to rid yourself of the negative aspects of competition. Go beyond cooperating. Develop a team of people that challenge each other to be the best they can be in a spirit of collaboration.