Humor is communal. Apart from the Editor, let there be a committee of at least two (and more if needed) to gather humor for the church’s newsletter with the goal of keeping humor on the front page.

Suggestions:  Ask members of the church to write humorous copy, or regular copy in a humorous way.

• Invite people to clip and submit funny things.
• Ask people to jot down funny things that happen at home/work.
• Submit funny comments made in Sunday school.
• Call for the best joke anyone has heard during the week, and print it.
• Find a good, inexpensive cartoonist—preferably in the church.
• Ask people to send in funny cartoons that can be shared.
• Write articles about humor and write humorous articles.
• Ask everyone in church to be shopping for a laugh machine. (It laughs when turned on and continues until turned off.)  The church needs to buy one—just for fun!

For the UN-church-ed:

Often visitors, especially the UN-church-ed, fear that visiting the church will be an awkward and threatening experience. An appropriate funny story can often reduce their  anxiety and lay the ground work for a deep spiritual truth. When the congregation actualizes expressions of the joy of the Lord to UN-church-ed persons through the warm and welcoming spiritual gift of humor, they are more likely to want to become part of such a light-heart-ed group.

Members of the congregation who might not choose to be involved in a more overt form of evangelism are often willing to help “make disciples” by participating in the church’s many expressions of humor.

For the members:

Many of us are overly serious  when we share our faith. This can lead to awkward relationships. Developing our God-given gift of humor helps us to be relaxed, and more effective Christian witnesses.

Claiming the spiritual gift of humor as a valid part of the church’s general curriculum helps shape the ethos and lifestyle of the congregation. Spiritual humor reflects the character of God who has made it natural for the soul to laugh and sing. In non-threatening ways persons have an opportunity to enjoy humor as expressions of spirituality. Humor can become a unifying part of the common life of the congregation. Also, Sunday after Sunday, the church can be a teaching “laboratory on humor” that provides wholesome and welcomed alternatives to dark humor that relentlessly bombards people every day in secular settings.

Encourage each youth and adult class to select a “Designated Humorist” (DH) every six weeks. The DH will be responsible for contacting someone to tell “a funny” at the beginning of each class session. The DH will be prepared to “tell one” if no one else is scheduled. (Reader’s Digest with its humor features is a ready resource if needed.)

State the guidelines clearly: Each story must be 1) short, 2) clean, and 3) funny.

When time permits, more than one funny story may be shared at the discretion of the DH. The church, itself, is a place of healing and the goal is to promote the spirit of laughter because hilarity has the power to heal.

Consider scheduling small groups to use Spirits Laughing: The Gift of a Cheerful Heart by Danny E. Morris.  Contact Danny@spiritslaughing.com to order the book.

1)    Humor is like a pew-softener because people can sit longer when they are laughing. Also, telling a funny story at the beginning, and at least every eight minutes throughout your sermon, helps to hold the congregation’s attention—they will be listening for more. Consider setting a goal of enriching the sermon with humor on a regular basis. Any sermon will be improved with the eight-minute humor guide.

Self-deprecating humor helps the congregation relate to the speaker.  Humor helps all of us to not take ourselves so seriously.

The young preacher was nervous when he said at his first board meeting,

”While sitting here on this thought, a pew ran through my mind.”

2)    Ask four or five persons to meet for lunch and invite them to become humorists for your sermon preparation for three sermons. Give them a list of topics/titles and Scripture passages. Tell them all you currently know about each sermon idea while they take notes. Ask them to be looking for funny stories that will fit the sermons, and to relay what they find ASAP.

3)    Every three weeks, invite five additional members to become humorists. Involving persons in your sermon preparation will enhance their interest in your preaching and in worship. These group meetings will also be unique opportunities to discuss the theological significance of the spiritual gift of humor—and the points in your sermon as they are developed.