How to Use Humor in Your Ministry

Written by Dr. John S. Powers

Pastor, it's really okay to laugh ... a lot. In view of the fact that so much of our work deals with everything from heartaches to backaches, we must remember that joy is a choice. It's smiling at your setbacks! It's choosing to laugh in spite of hard experiences and rough times.

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Recently, I have been digesting the incredible insights into victorious Christian living found in John 15. In the middle of the chapter are comforting words for pastors and other believers who struggle with humor. Jesus said,

"I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete." (John 15:11 HCSB)

Like standing in front of a fire hydrant to get a drink of water, Jesus gave us His truth so that His joy might saturate every area of our lives. And when that occurs, our joy is full ... it's brimming-over-full.

The sad news is that so few of God's pastors and people choose to live joyfully. Webster defines humor as "the ability to perceive or express what is comical or witty." Being humorous is a state of mind. It's an attitude. It's a mood.

Humor is an incredible asset in ministry, especially in mission work. Lacking a sense of humor reveals a serious joy deficiency.

The power of humor cannot be measured. Pastor in spite of the fact that some may not appreciate your humor ... keep laughing! Why? I can think of several reasons to inject humor into your ministry. Humor is:

Humor is an Evidence of Spiritual Maturity
Pastors who have gone through the fires of ministerial testing understand the true meaning of laughter. Being somber and serious is not always a sign of walking with God. Humor is a part of life and God is the giver of all life!

Humor is a Tool for Spiritual Insight
It's hard to engage emotions of people, but once a pastor has connected with any emotion (such as humor, grief, anger, suspense) it's rather easy to enlist other emotions. When people feel suspense it's easier to feel humor. I cut my youthful teeth on Alfred Hitchcock thrillers. One technique he mastered was to increase suspense by injecting humor. After releasing laughter, Hitchcock would tighten the screws of suspense.

Utilizing humor in preaching, teaching, or day-to-day serving is a mighty tool for God's people to add passion and emotion to their faith. Our Lord desires for us to experience the "fullness" of His joy. How does a minister do this?

Use humor to share the Gospel message. As long as humor assists the message and does not detract from it, use humor in preaching.
Make humor a part of proclamation. Humor allows the whole man to preach or teach God's truth. But humor must not be strained or artificial. It must be natural. Humor that fits is never forced.
Read humor and humorists to build your "laugh bank." Along with Charles Swindoll's writings, I love reading Mark Twain. Also, Elton Trueblood's, The Humor of Christ is a must for any library.

Humor is a Vehicle for Spiritual Balance
Pastor, cultivate a good sense of humor. If for no other reason to help you maintain balance in difficult times, keep laughing. Humor keeps us in contact with reality in ministry and reality in ministry means keeping spiritual balance. It's one thing to laugh at others. It is balance to laugh at ourselves. Refuse the temptation of becoming a comedian in the pulpit. Rather, seek to be an ambassador of joy in Christ's name.

So, lighten up! Pastor, if you have forgotten how ... learn to laugh again!

About John Powers

Dr. Powers is the author of Redefining Church Membership and The BodyLife Journey - Guiding Believers into Ministry. A pastor for 22 years, Dr. Powers received his master's of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He considers The BodyLife Journey a personal life-message from the Lord.

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