If you ever think of yourself as “funny” and you don’t edit your work constantly (ie you just keep using the same material). Then listen to these funny people on the nature of writing and performing standup (language warning).
A lot of good preachers say stand up comedy is important to preaching. I agree. In a limited sense. Preaching isn’t comedy, but there are very few other careers where people make a living out of standing up and talking.
There are four parts to this. They get progressively cruder, but there’s some gold for preachers there. Know your big idea for everything you say, where you want the audience to get to, and make sure they get the point so it doesn’t bomb. Work hard at having a good package for special occasions because new people might be hearing you for the first time. It’s not your job to say things the audience could come up with by themselves, you’re there to stretch them… know how long to go for. Jerry Seinfeld also has an interesting position on swearing (he doesn’t) as a comic because he says people are only laughing because of the shock – not because of the material – which is a good message for anybody who wants to shock from the pulpit to cover over for preparation or content.
