They say laughter is the best medicine. Could it also be the best ministry tool? That is what many leaders are suggesting as comedy is increasingly accepted by more congregations.

While many young people often see church as boring and somber, many youth pastors are punching up their sermons with jokes and hosting comedy nights in hopes of keeping people listening and learning.

Craig Groeschel, lead pastor of LifeChurch.tv, a pacesetting, multi-campus church based in Oklahoma, is one such pastor. Known for his witty stories and joke telling, Groeschel sees the benefit of using humor to get his points across. “It often helps to engage a person who might not want to be engaged by a spiritual message,” he said. “For some reason, when people laugh, the walls seem to come down.”

This is especially true for youth, he said. “Without a doubt, the younger generation is easily distracted. Humor helps engage teens and keep their attention.”

So what if you are not naturally funny? Groeschel says that makes no difference and that “If a pastor isn’t naturally funny, he or she can still use humor…Use videos, dramas or have others with a good sense of humor to help.”

Brandon Young from The Rock Church San Diego, which averages about 12,000 attendees every weekend, agrees. He went as far as starting a comedy ministry within the church that meets twice a month. “[Comedy] is a great way to break the ice and makes you relatable,” he said. In fact, as a stand-up comedian, Young is the only person on his team who has a background in comedy. The skill is teachable, and he suggests the idea of taking comedy classes to help. What is most important, however, he said, is to “just be yourself, don’t force it, just continue on, and get audience involvement.”

The Serious Business of Comedy
Using others to help can go a long way, and there are groups and even comedy-training programs that offer such guidance. The Christian Comedy Association (CCA) has been promoting Christian comedy for more than a decade. The CCA spends its time encouraging comedians, raising awareness about Christian comedy, and at the annual conferences, training ordinary people to unlock their gift of comedy.

Dan Rupple, the former president and now honorary chairman of the CCA and long-time stand-up comedian and comedy writer, said the best way to make yourself funnier is by nurturing your sense of humor. “As we look at life through a comedic lens, we start to see the absurdity and humor in life and in our own selves. By having a good sense of humor about ourselves and our weaknesses, we become lighter; and by heightening our awareness of comedy, it naturally makes us more humorous (people),” he said.

Although the idea of using humor in sermons is becoming the norm, comedy events in churches also have been on the rise and have brought about an entirely new form of ministry previously overlooked. Comedy as a ministry is growing quickly. Christian stand-ups, sketch writers and improvisers are using their gifts for God’s purpose—not just clean comedy but comedy with a message. According to Rupple, comedy is the perfect way to convey the message of Christ. “That’s a very serious message, that man outside of Christ is going to eternal damnation; that’s a pretty sobering thought,” he said, “but when we can take that kind of message and disarm it slightly by conveying it through humor, people are much more open to examine it, look at it and listen to the message.”

Groeschel agrees, but does warn, however, to remember it is the message that is most important. “Humor is simply a tool. It’s not the most important quality in a good message. If someone is hilarious but doesn’t communicate God’s truth effectively, it’s not a good message,” he said. “A funny moment can be a good [device] to set up a very serious point or experience with God, but humor must serve the higher goal of transformation by God’s Word through His Spirit. Authentic communication of God’s Word is always the highest priority.”

Fishes and Loaves Improv comedy is a group that spends days making people laugh for Jesus, and its members completely agree with Groeschel. “It’s not just about making people laugh,” said Aaron Therol, one of the group’s comedians. “It’s also about breaking down walls in a fun way so they can experience God’s love. Ultimately, that’s all we want.”

The group of three, Tom Burkhardt, Ryan Self and Therol, are Christian comedians based in Hollywood, Calif., and their comedy is completely improvisational. “It’s like faith-based ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway,'” Burkhardt said.

These guys make a point to bring clean comedy while still staying relevant and true to God’s Word. “We are up to date on all of our Justin Beiber references,” Burkhardt joked.

All kidding aside, however, they are serious about using their God-given talents to reach people for Christ. Their shows often include a message, sharing of testimonies and a time for worship and prayer.

Therol says he has seen many changed lives, including his own through God’s work in the group. He recalls a meaningful experience at a small church in Northern California: “I carry around a letter in my wallet that we received from a kid who attended our show. His mom brought him to church to see us perform. She was a Christian, and he was not. He said he was thankful for this time with her that night as she passed away of pneumonia soon after. He then thanked us for giving his mom one last night of fun and for helping to make church fun for him. He is now a faithful Christian. He is why we do what we do—to show that being a Christian is fun and joyful and life-altering.”

Burkhardt agrees and said that improv seems to lend itself specifically to moments such as that. “Improv is particularly effective,” he said, “(because) the audience is giving suggestions, participating on stage and listening closely to what’s being said, they are already very open and receptive.”

“Kids are good at sensing intention,” Self added. “If you are just trying to make them laugh so you can then talk about God, you will fail at both; but if you are genuinely trying to connect with them, share some fun and share some truth, they will get that, and they will listen.”

Disarming Audiences
Comedy is just one way to reach people for Christ, but the disarming elements seem to be highly valuable. “Everyone is reached in a different way,” Self said. “Comedy is just another way to bring young people to church and inevitably to Christ. I’ve seen it work every time.”

For churches where the goal is to bring up younger generations, every time is pretty good odds; and that is nothing to laugh at.

Contacting the Comedians
Here’s where you can learn more about the funny people featured in this article.
1. Craig Groeschel
Founding pastor of LifeChurch.tv
“Without a doubt, the younger generation is easily distracted. Humor helps engage teens and keep their attention.”
LifeChurch.tv 

2. Brandon Young
Founder of Holy Jesters comedy ministry at Rock Church San Diego
“[Comedy] is a great way to break the ice, and it makes you relatable.”
Comedy@TheRockSanDiego.org

3. Dan Rupple
Former president and now honorary chairman of the Christian Comedy Association
“As we look at life through a comedic lens, we start to see the absurdity and humor in life and in our own selves.”
ChristianComedyAssociation.com
SeriouslyFunny.tv

4. Tom Burkhardt
Fishes and Loaves Improv Comedy
“It’s like faith-based ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway.'”
FishersAndLoavesImprov.com

5. Aaron Therol
Fishes and Loaves Improv Comedy
“It’s also about breaking down walls in a fun way so they can experience God’s love. Ultimately, that’s all we want.”
FishesAndLoavesImprov.com