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Clowning For Christ
...Tom Rives considers himself a lucky guy. He's the pastor at Carrollwood Baptist Church and founder of the King's Clowns, an outreach ministry that puts a spiritual spin on the art of clowning....

...``I don't think people should be going around with a Bible tucked under their arms and a scowl on their face,'' he says. ``I know some people think that if you're a Christian, you're supposed to suck on a sour pickle all day and walk around that way. Well, that's not how I live, whether I'm in costume or not.''

Son T.J., a local sports broadcaster, concurs. He's a big admirer of his father's infectious energy, his knowledge of sports and his handyman ability to repair anything. But most of all, he likes how his nontraditional dad chooses not to play by the book.

``Most pastors wouldn't even consider doing this, for fear of how it would look,'' the younger Rives says. ``But he's never taken himself seriously. He knows how to laugh at himself and have a good time. It seems to rub off on people when he's around.''

To critics - those who say mixing clowning and religion is sacrilegious or undignified - the Rev. Rives has a ready response.

``I tell them that all Baptist preachers are clowns,'' he says. ``I just went to class and got certified.'' ...