I heard a young preacher in his 30’s this morning. A nice young man, gifted in persona and presentation. The music service had ended in a poignant and reflective way, a God-is-ready-to-speak sort of way. He stepped up and began his sermon by lamenting that he’d wanted to start with a joke, but that it hardly seemed appropriate. So……he told the joke anyway and he went on to deliver a moderately humorous homily of good stories mixed with powerful religious principles.

What’s the problem?

The problem is he’s got me for 20-40 minutes max on Sunday morning. Like me, most of the people sitting in his audience are Christians already, so the pastor needs to tailor his teaching to where we are in our life. Use the time to:

1. Teach me something new.
2. Teach me a new way to look at something old.
3. Reinforce a profound truth (this was his attempt this morning).
4. Challenge me to do something God-sized; so big that unless God be in it, it shall surely fail.

I appreciate good humor and a good story as much as the next guy. But when I want a relaxing laugh (and I often do), I’ll tune in Jay Leno, or go to www.dispair.com, or turn on the comedy network, or Google “Jokes.” What I really want when I go to church is metamorphasis—-a compelling reason and set of tools that equip me to become what I am supposed to be.

He’s got 30 minutes and the assignment from God.

I’m an eager listener.

Engage me and challenge me.

This is serious business. It can be and often is humorous. But humor for humor’s sake misses the point and just reinforces the preacher’s insecurity that causes him to need the validation of the audience’s laughter. You preachers have important work to do, a big message to proclaim. Get to it! Be confident in the one who sent you and in his ability to communicate through you.

Save the goofball stories and nightclub routine for some other time. We came to hear from God. You are His man for this hour. Just do it.