Humor Us! (Preaching and …)

If you are a communicator and are intimidated by the idea of having to be a standup comic, this book is for you. Humor Us! is not a joke book or a book that attempts to turn you into a comedian, but it is a book that liberates the reader to discover there is more joy (and laughter) than you might think. It is a book which has helped me exchange the stern glasses of the tragic for the kind eyes of the comic. As the authors stated, "Humor without faith can lead to cynicism, despair, doubt, and the loss of all that is holy. On the other hand, faith without humor can fall into dogmatism, self-righteousness, and idolatry.”One of the most remarkable aspects of this book is that the authors have done all the survey work for the reader. You will not have to read all the scholarship on humor studies, language or homiletics. The authors have easily summarized much of this work so that the practitioner can answer the question, "how do I apply this?" more quickly. I recommend this book not only for Christian preachers, but for any communicator who wants to connect with a group of people and for those who have ever been transformed by the power of humor in their own life. Rev. Jason Valendy, PeddlingPreacherPastor, Keller United Methodist Church

I read this book a few months ago and participated in an online workshop with the authors - wow, I was really impressed with how practical and helpful this book was! As a pastor who preaches regularly, using humor in a sermon can feel intimidating or like a cheap appeal for connection. Luckily, McKenzie and Lynch are a dynamic duo! Dr. McKenzie does a fantastic job giving theological grounding for the use of humor in sermons while Dr. Lynch provides solid insight from the communications sector to complement the preacher with tangible skills that transcend preaching. In the sermons I've given since reading this book, I've been able to use humor much more effectively and powerfully!