Comedians and Pastors

If any one would ever ask who I admire most, it probably would not be someone, but comedians. I once heard the story of a comedian walking into a theater amonst all the people prepping for a variety show. Stage hands, musicains, singers, etc. He comes in with a small brief case. He opens it, and pulls out a microphone, hooks it up and tests it. He then looks around for a chair and finds a folding chair. He then puts away his mic and walks out. That was his preparation. But that is not his only prep. It is years of standing in front of people, some drunk, most not paying attention, trying to make them laugh with words. And it is not just the craft of takign his observations and constructing his material to deliver, but also the timing of delivery. As a college youth, my hobby was watching televison preachers. They to me were the equivelent of comedians. Crafting a message for a certain reaction. Each had their own style of delivery. Where I am going with this, is that most preachers concentrate on the message, similar to a teacher. They study and prep to ensure their message is delivered and hopefully received. Some take a little different approach. The old time Nisei preachers always started their sermon with a joke. No kidding. That joke would seque way into the message. A lot of preachers supplement their preaching with the prep of worship songs to set the mood and music to enhance or manipulate. Did I say manipulate? Somehow, in these times, I am waiting to hear a preacher that delivers similar to a comedian. One of my favorite shows is Comedians driving cars and getting coffee. It is just comedians talking to Jerry Seinfeld. One point that comes across for each comedian is that their craft is based off of truth. At times it is absurd, at other times it is painful but cuttingly accurate. My proposal is that we start Pastors driving cars and getting coffee. Maybe then, we can better understand where they get the jokes and how it ties into their mission in life. Their craft is based of of truth, and at times it is absurd, but hopefully always accurate.