IM, just reading through the comments. This says is well and succinctly. Coulda saved myself some typing if I’d read a little further….

Frederick Buechner does a good job of describing good story telling or writing. Essentially, he says that a good story takes on a life of its own as it develops rather than being forced to fit into a pre-conceived framework in order to prove or teach or moralize. I suspect that comedy preaching would tend to lean towards the pre-conceived framework and lose some credibility.

So, I guess if a preacher is funny, he should go ahead and be funny. But to use it as a tool to draw people in is where it starts to get a little suspect for me.

There are some helpful things to learn from successful comedians. The obvious difference, though, is that comedy doesn’t usually have any goal other than to entertain, while preaching and/or teaching has the goal of life change. But still, we can gain some insights into human nature and the communication process from people like this who have obviously been successful at connecting with people.

I wish I could claim credit for it, but all of that came from a Lutheran (ELCA) systematics professor named Gerhard Forde. His book _Justification by Faith: a Matter of Death and Life_ from Sigler Press is probably one of the most profound I’ve ever read on the role of the preacher. I recommend it to anybody. It’s short but dense.

Pax Christi!!

The times in the history of the church when there was the greatest evangelism, missions, discipleship, etc were all times when preaching was at a high point. Opening a text. Explaining it. Applying it. Hearing the invitation of God in it.

We can change lots about the church and we need to, but the church’s life and health are tied to the proclamation of the Word of God in preaching.

Those who talk about “cultural influence” today are often those who want the church to give away its most distinctive and powerful tool of influence: Its resounding voice to its own and to the world.

The culture is influenced by believers living missionally. Those believers are built up by many things, but the preaching of the word is critical.

Turning the sermon into a comedy act…you mean, like Mike Warnke? It worked for him: while everyone was laughing their heads off, look at what he shoved down their throats. Comedy can be a form of psychological manipulation, which doesn’t saves souls, even if you can coerce a response. Ok, now I am sounding like MacAurther.

If a sermon ends with, “You’ve been a lovely audience. Be sure to tip your waitresses”…oh, forget it. The obsurd has too much resemblence to reality.

i also hope i’m not coming across as “anti-preaching.” i don’t want groups sitting around saying “this means to me…” either. but just as we don’t judge preaching by bad preaching we can’t judge house churches by bad house churches/small groups. but does the bible as taught/preached really only belong in the hands of our professional clergy? have protestants ever really gone with luther in the implications of a priesthood of all believers?

the statement that intrigues me most is “expounding of a message from scripture (within the bounds of good communication) is a proven essential for a healthy church.” i’d be interested to hear more about what exactly are the characteristics of a healthy church. there are plenty of formulas out there, but maybe “they shall know you by your fruit” is the best.

are our “healthy” churches transforming culture? preaching probably does bear some fruit in lots of people’s lives over time. i know it has in mine. but i also grew up in the church. if we are resorting to humor etc. to hold people’s attention–along with lots of other reasons, could it be that there is greater fruit to be born with other seed? have we settled for “healthy churches” that marginally affect lives but maybe don’t create the best disciples or reach the lost? Jesus gave the sermon on the mount, but much more we see him living with his disciples and leading and doing–not preaching to mass crowds.

sorry to write so much, but i am thankful for a place like this to process my thoughts and hear good response and feedback. thanks.

I love Bill Cosby’s retelling of the Noah story, but just like politics, that kind of presentation belongs on stage, not in the pulpit.

Pax Christi, y’all!!