Along with a few others from MBC Gwynneth and I recently attended Adrian Plass’ and Jeff Lucas’ Seriously Funny Tour gig in Harrogate, and I can’t tell you how pleased I am to have discovered that there are so many fellow Christians who like me enjoy a good laugh. The way in which both Plass and Lucas described tackling their own doubts, frustrations and failings was not only refreshingly reassuring but absolutely hilarious. The manner in which Plass took the rise out of the ridiculous things we say to one another when we’re faced with bereavement was a wonderful blend of observation and delivery, and Lucas’ opening gag about the young Charismatic Pentecostalist lady who placed a lonely hearts ad seeking a like-minded male but who promised no tongues on their first date was so well pitched that even in Harrogate it had 99.9% of the audience in stitches. But then that’s the whole purpose of this tour; it’s to free us from our angst, it’s to try to stop us beating ourselves up and to realise that no matter how hard we try we’re always going to fall short. So next Sunday morning, or for that matter any Sunday morning, have a good look round and if you see someone who Lucas would describe as “looking in need of a large bowl of bran” try smiling at them – it might just persuade them that even as a Christian it’s ok to believe in fun before death.

John Sherbourne

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