We filmed a new docusode at www.home.fm radio yesterday. Caution: puppets are involved.

I’m thinking deeply about the full circle that puppet ministry has taken. Employed for ministry by the church in the early 70’s, children have been taught the 10 commandments by felty puppets in church basements across the country. What worked on Sesame Street also worked during Children’s Church. Progressive churches would take the Pastor’s sermon manuscript and have Squiggy, Plankton and Yarny act it out for the children. Mrs. Ferguson was the best puppeteer, since all church puppets are required to have a playful, squeaky voice, which came quite naturally for her, both on stage and off.

Fast forward 30 years. Today, a radio station that plays an amalgam of Christian and “Secular” music is using these puppets to make poorly planned videos which are seen by hundreds, many of which never heard Mrs. Ferguson’s voice or Pastor Ron’s version of Yarny singing a split-track version of “God’s Wonderful People”. All they know is that these creatures entertain the children and teach the adults a thing or two, but not about anything of significance.

Here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/homefmradio#p/a/u/0/E7H3VMeD5_U