I am neither complimenting those who use humor nor criticising those who do not and vice versa. There is no biblical warrant for it and that is sufficient reason to be cautious. One should not always indulge his sense of humor. Funny things may enter the preacher's mind but he needs to exercise discretion and put them aside because they may be a distraction. It is easy to dismiss the use of humor altogether but if discernment is applied it need not be capricious. The incidents related refer entirely to times in the service that fall outside the preaching activity itself. I cannot recall any occasion when I was caught up in the act of preaching and intentionally paused to say something amusing. I would see that as inappropriate. Besides I think it would upset the momentum of the message.

There was one unplanned incident when I was the visiting preacher in church and a member of the congregation brought me a much-needed glass of water as I was preaching. It would undoubtedly have been preferable to have this available to me before I commenced to preach but it was nevertheless welcome when it did arrive. I accepted it with genuine thanks for his kindness and added the comment 'water for the dry preacher' (forgive the cliché). I think it took that sense of awkwardness out of the moment. People laughed (maybe out of politeness) and I took advantage of that time to have a drink before continuing to preach.

If preaching promotes edification and humor promotes enjoyment they need not, necessarily, be viewed as polarised extremes. Rather than having hang-ups about being taken hostage by humor we may begin to see it as something to be harnessed. In so doing we are not licensing preachers to become hedonistic harlequins or paving the way for congregations to become hyenas with halos! We must continue to see the Sunday service as a 'hallowed hour' rather than 'happy hour' but healthy and honourable humour may have a place with a mature preacher who is comfortable with his congregation. He is best placed to harmonise the holiness and happiness of God's people.

The issue has implications for homiletics which, to my knowledge, have not been adequately addressed. This article, at best, represents an opening statement on the matter. I trust it will prove a satisfactory stimulus for anybody who desires to reflect on the practice of preaching.

Perhaps you have heard a preacher who engages the congregation in humor? I recently heard a conference sermon delivered by a godly man who brought both wit and wisdom to the occasion with his assertive flamboyance and confidence of style and manner. It is no contradiction to say that it was preached in the power of the Holy Spirit with panache! The gentleman (and I really do mean gentleman) in question raised a series of rhetorical questions and engaged in reverent repartee in order to show us the irony and absurdity of certain situations in the light of the word of God. Another of the conference speakers also used humor in a very natural way, which helped the delegates assimilate the truth of his message. There was nothing awkward that hindered the absorption of that truth.