What to Look For in a Christian Comedian

Can you recommend another Christian Comedian?

If I don’t have dates available I’m often asked to recommend another Christian Comedian or youth speaker, Rather than recommend a specific individual or group, I would like to set out some guidelines to help you make your choice. It is an important decision and your organizations’ reputation is at risk.
Here’s what I caution people to look for:

Christian Comedian: have recommendations, will travel

A potential Christian Comedian or youth speaker should have several years experience and letters of recommendation to back it up. These letters and recommendations should be specific to your audience. For example; if the comedian will be addressing inner city youth, he/she should have letters and recommendations that show they have done it or be honest and say they haven’t done it but think they can. Be wary of any artist that says they have done a specific task or dealt with a specific demographic group or topic but can not produce any evidence of having done so.

Is there any Christ in their comedy?

A potential Christian Comedian or youth speaker should be able to quote scripture that he/she uses within their shows/presentations. Christian Comedy should, after all, show a connection to the cause of Christ.

A potential Christian Comedian should be able to hold the attention of their audience. Christian Comedy lives in a strange world between entertainment and instruction. Too much entertainment with no message and it’s not Christian, too much message with no entertainment and it’s not comedy.

A potential Christian Comedian should be able to adjust their message to deal with different ethnic/economic groups. Christian Comedy is effective at breaking down barriers.

A potential Christian Comedian should know the importance of keeping political material out of their presentation unless it is appropriate or expected for that audience or organization. Christian comedy can be used as cultural commentary a political satire, when appropriate and pre approved by the event sponsor.

Christian Comedians are not “Rock Stars”

A potential Christian Comedian should know that they are there to promote the local church, organization, or cause, not themselves. Christian Comedy is a tool, not the purpose.

A potential Christian Comedian should be willing to make multiple presentations per 24 hour period.

A potential Christian Comedian should be able to help with publicity. The Christian artist should be able to provide publicity materials, radio clips, demos, and press releases for the sponsoring church to alter and use. Christian Comedy, when presented to the media appropriately, often results in free pre-event publicity because it is unusual. The media don’t often see the words “Christian” and “Comedy” in the title of a press release.

A Christian Comedian should be comfortable doing TV/radio/newspaper interviews and should have samples of their publicity/media work. The media have proven receptive of Christian Comedy if presented with professional materials.

If Christian Comedian should be willing to take calls directly from sponsor to “dial in” the details of the event.

A Christian comedian shouldn’t need “Strawberries in the Green Room”.

Dealing financially with a Christian Comedian should be a straight forward and transparent process. There should be no surprises with travel costs and expenses. All expenses should be pre-determined and in writing and the artist should make an honest effort at keeping expenses (especially air travel) to a minimum.

The above is my opinion and not endorsed by any trade organization. There are many talented individuals and groups out there. Look for transparency and a proven track record

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What is Christian Comedy?

Or stated differently…

What is a Christian Comedian?

It seems the name or label would be definable by taking the words one at a time. Christian comes for the root word, Christus, Which means "follower of Christ". Comedian is a person that "makes people laugh." So then, a Christian comedian is a follower of Christ that makes people laugh. Simple enough? Not for some.

Comedy is a “vehicle” for most Christian Comedians

I once called on a pastor whom had received material on my ministry. He berated me and blurted out, "We have enough people laughing at Christ and Christians." He misunderstood my ministry by becoming confused when he saw two words in the same sentence: Christian, and comedy. Let me clarify, for myself and all the Christian comedians I have met, comedy is simply a vehicle employed to deliver an uplifting message. I cannot vouch for every individual who calls himself or herself a "Christian Comedian." I can, however, tell you that all whom I have personally met or whose shows I have watched are conscientious Christians who use their gifts in a positive manner.

Christian Comedians are an eclectic bunch

Christian comedy has made tremendous gains due to the pioneering work of such artists as Ken Davis, Mike Williams, and Mark Lowry. The variance between artists is a mirror of the variance of the body of Christ. The styles vary from the outrageous musical comedy of Paul Aldrich to the smooth urban delivery of Coy Lesard. How much Christ is in their comedy? Once again, it varies by artist. Some present a clean show with a testimony at the end, some may mention their faith in the beginning of their show and then let the fact that they are clean and edifying (something utterly rare in the secular comedy world) speak to their purpose, and still others will have scripture and teaching throughout their presentation.

Christian Comedy bears fruit

If one were to examine the worth of Christian Comedy to the cause of Christ, it would make sense to examine what Christian comedy is used for. Though this may seem counter intuitive, Christian comedy is rarely used for its entertainment value alone. Event organizers have used Christian comedy as a tool for outreach, fundraisers, gospel presentations, youth events and to deal with specific issues that are important to the body of Christ. A short list of these issues would include sexual abstinence, overcoming drug and alcohol abuse, strengthening marriage, singles issues, and scriptural inerrancy and apologetics. The list is as long as the topics that challenge us all.

Christian Comedy can be serious

Or, one could look at the fruit of Christian Comedy to determine if it is a valid and God honoring evangelistic tool. I have witnessed, as have many others, thousands come forward at the end of a comedic presentation. (The presenting comedian is more serious during the conclusion of a gospel presentation.)  Am I a comedian or a funny Christian youth speaker?  Can I be both? Many Christian comedians have used their abilities to raise funds for Crises Pregnancy Centers throughout the country. Bringing in a comedian to speak at a black tie fundraiser for a cause as serious and urgent may seem counter productive. However, the positive results have proven otherwise.

I hope you have enjoyed my "brief" on Christian comedy. The opinions above are my own but doubtless shared by many. This essay has not been reviewed or endorsed by any other artist or organization