God's Humour

God’s Humour

When I was in the USA in 2010, collecting my bride, I learned that Americans and Englishmen have a fairly similar sense of humour. A good, solid, ‘poke fun at ourselves’ sense of humour. Texas folk in particular have a wonderful serious humour – a bit sharp and pointed at times but nevertheless it kept me laughing. Signs outside churches might have been written by comedy scriptwriters. Signs like, “Laying in bed on Sunday morning screaming, “Oh God”, does not constitute going to church.”

Then there’s this fine collection :-

“Honk if you love Jesus, text while driving if you want to meet him”

“Oprah wouldn’t like this church, we believe that Jesus is the only way”

“Stop, drop, and roll won’t work in Hell”

“Don’t be so open minded that your brains fall out”

“God does not believe in atheists, therefore, atheists do not exist”

“Prayer – wireless access to God with no roaming fee”

“Walmart is not the only saving place”

“There are some questions that can’t be answered by Google”

“Forbidden fruit creates many jams”

“Keep using my name in vain and I’ll make rush hour longer – God”

So – what’s the point of all these notices displayed outside churches the length and breadth of America? Some of them are a little flippant, even irreverent. Yet they make you smile and there is a purpose in them. They are lures to get folk to stop and think again about going to a church. Some people like them. Some good folk detest them and dismiss them as totally irrelevant.

My point in all this is a simple question – Do they work? Have these signs brought one single person into that church this past year? If so, then they are worth it, even if a little irreverent. I approve of these signs for two very good reasons.

First – In the ’good old days’, churches had signs that said, “All are welcome” outside and I know of not one single sign or similar that pulled a single person into their church. People want a reason and the church displaying a witty sign shows a sense of humour that has been sadly lacking in churches over the years. Such humour is attractive and pulls people towards them if not through the doors.

Second – We are made in God’s image and I am totally convinced that He has a great sense of humour. Joshua 13:1 always makes me smile as God deals with ageism in one verse. Why would God not approve of any sanctified efforts, including humour, to bring people into church. Personal invitations are normally only given to folk we know. How else do we attract those we do not know?

Ice-breakers are always the best way to start a conversation. Joel Osteen, bless him, like him or not, always starts with an ice-breaker. It works because he grabs the audience’s attention straight away. All the best speakers I have ever heard use humour. Why not the signs outside our churches too?