On Laughter - by Peter Kelm
I was reading a book yesterday that my 2 year-old daughter picked off of my shelves in my office. She picked it - I think - because it was small (unlike many of the huge books on my shelves...theologians tend to be wordy). It was a book from the 1950's that talked about rules, order, rituals and traditions in churches.
One section was entitled: "Rules of a Preacher." Rule # 2 read, "Be serious. Avoid all lightness, jesting and foolish talking. Converse sparingly and conduct yourselves prudently..."
If I ever get to the point in my ministry where I "avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking...and converse sparingly," I'm going to quit being a preacher.
The work of the Gospel includes laughter and conversation...lots of it. Even German Lutherans need to laugh and talk.
I was reading a book yesterday that my 2 year-old daughter picked off of my shelves in my office. She picked it - I think - because it was small (unlike many of the huge books on my shelves...theologians tend to be wordy). It was a book from the 1950's that talked about rules, order, rituals and traditions in churches.
One section was entitled: "Rules of a Preacher." Rule # 2 read, "Be serious. Avoid all lightness, jesting and foolish talking. Converse sparingly and conduct yourselves prudently..."
If I ever get to the point in my ministry where I "avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking...and converse sparingly," I'm going to quit being a preacher.
The work of the Gospel includes laughter and conversation...lots of it. Even German Lutherans need to laugh and talk.