<> Ask the Pastor Rev. Walter Snyder Thanks to everyone wishing our daughter well. She's back in school and doing fine. That said, welcome back to the top of page two. I've discovered much since beginning "Ask the Pastor" some three months ago. Some is trivial, some more profound. Writing last week's column helped me look at how I deal with loss--surely a major item. Something less lofty: I've learned the difference between writing a column and staying out in the sun too long--with the writing, I love to be re(a)d. And unlike a sunburn, this pun probably hurts you more than it hurts me! Why start out with a joke? To get to the other side. At least, to set up this week's question. Q: When is it appropriate for pastors to use jokes in their sermons? I've heard some who are always serious, some who can't go more than a few lines without at least producing a chuckle. A: Humor can be a powerful tool in getting people's attention. Attempts at humor which fall short will turn off listeners faster than the electric company with an unpaid account. You probably hope I recommend a happy medium. If we're going pay close attention to someone, we need to bring our own desire to focus on content. The speaker must bring expertise in the field, coupled with good speaking skills. The subject and the presentation should be interesting, relevant, and focused. Yet, some variety and a few breaks in the main flow can both illustrate and provide a breather, where we can re-focus on the central theme. This isn't only true in preaching, but in any intense life experience. Consider a sermon on Christians' responsibilities in society. This is a weighty topic, and much can be said about how we fall short. An extended barrage of our failings--clobbering us with God's Law--might numb our ears to the forgiveness which (hopefully) is then proclaimed along with possible ways of addressing change . Vivid illustrations, parallel situations, and humor can all be interspersed so as to give us a chance to catch up to where the pastor is. They allow break the flow so we can process what we've heard, adjust, then go on. They also allow intensity to build gradually, rather than having the load dumped on us wholesale. Amusement parks have recognized this for years. The most intense rides are the roller coasters. Up, down, and around they whirl us. Yet the best designed and most popular are not unending thrills from start to finish. Each has small "break points" where, even if briefly, the action tapers off. These pauses allow our minds (and stomachs) to catch up to the ride, while also building anticipation for the next explosion of action. In drama, we often see "comic relief" supplied in the midst of tragedy. Shakespeare was a master of interspersing humorous characters and situations even in the midst of deepest woe. Sometimes hilarious in themselves, these interludes allow the playgoers to get their thoughts and emotions under control before descending deeper into the hero's troubles. The difficulties in using humor in preaching are several. Included is the preacher's ability to do it. Try as they might, some pastors seem terminally unable to tell a joke--which makes them a lot like many other people. Others seem unable to stop joking long enough to have the sermon taken seriously. Those whose jokes fall flat should look for different ways to provide the breaks. Those who joke too much should spend more time understanding what the Word is saying, developing sermons that are true to the text. Like humor anywhere else, effective and appropriate use in preaching cannot be easily defined or prescribed. Pastors tend to love words, and humor is word-play elevated to an art (or lowered into the sewer). I've heard joyful sermons, preached at weddings where all were pleased with the union, flow without one tiny joke--or be marred by poor attempts at humor. And I've heard funeral sermons (and even preached one) where just one well-placed joke brought everyone closer together and enhanced not only the sermon, but the entire funeral service. In preaching, as in comedy, timing is so important. That's it for now. I'm running low on preacher jokes, so I invite you to send them (or any religion questions you might have) to: "Ask the Pastor," P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951, e-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or stop me on the street to chat. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Jasper and Faith Lutheran Church, Woodville and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.