Humor and Story Telling

Humor and story telling have been a major part of my life. They fit into my preaching style as well. I am by any means a great theologian. My gift is public speaking and story telling.

I try to use the style that Jesus used in his preaching. He often used parables to illustrate the point that he was trying to teach.

In the twenty first century I have found that more people are interested in more in depth teaching. However I have continued to be myself. I try to be the same person wherever I’m at. I do not have a church voice and a certain body language just for the church house or the church people.

Many years ago when I was just starting seminary an elderly preacher pulled me to the side and gave me some advice that I have always tried to adhere. He said, “Son education is good, but don’t let it change who you are.” I later would realize exactly what he was talking about.

Down through the years there have been people who have tried to change me. In my first church the lady tried to change the way I dressed. She told me that a sports coat was not suitable for Sunday morning preaching. She said I needed to wear a whole suit. (Pants and coat the same) After changing that she told me that I shouldn’t wear my cowboy boots with a whole suit. She inquired as to whether I could get size 16 dress shoes.

So I changed, then in the next church a man was critical of my English vocabulary. He asked me did I realize that I used several double negatives in my sermon? I replied, “Shoot I might have used some triple ones too if you listened carefully.” I even had someone try and change my style of preaching.

I preach from the outline format and they wanted me to manuscript. Down through the years from time to time I would slip away from God’s unique way that He had created me. However I have realized that I’m just who I am and what I am because I’m His special creation. To sum it up, what you see is what you get.

I have realized that not everyone gets my humor and that I have to be careful in what I say. Recently in a sermon this was brought to my attention. During school months we have a children’s church service. Rev. Ryan Wyatt is our children’s pastor. He preaches, using puppets, and drama during this hour. In the summer the kids attend regular church services.

There is a little girl in the third grade named Elizabeth, who always sits on the front row. Her parents and brothers usually sit on about the fourth row. She sits and listens very intently. Just before the sermon, I was announcing that my family was going on a summer trip to Myrtle Beach. I told the people to watch the news and if they saw a report that a whale had beached, please do not worry its just me laying out in my Speedo.

Speedo also happens to be the name of one of our many buses that we operate at Shiloh Baptist Church. Elizabeth’s mom came to me the other day and shared the following story with me. Pastor Danny, Elizabeth takes everything literal. The other morning when I went into the living room she was watching the news. I inquired as to why she was up watching the news at 7 a.m.

She explained to her mom that she was looking to see if there was anything about a beached whale and someone driving a Speedo.

Oh yeah let me get the disturbing picture that is probably in your mind out. I know that you’re probably thinking a fat man in a Speedo has got be a gross sight. My Speedo is Speedo brand swim trunks! Ninety-five percent of my stories are true, but I will be more careful to clarify when I am, literally speaking.