Q: Is it ok to laugh in church?

 A:  My first impulse is to respond to this question with a resounding “Yes!” While the church is not a comedy center, I firmly believe there is a place in our services for humor. Christian joy is a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22); rejoicing is an oft-repeated command (Philippians 4:4), and I believe that our church services should reflect the joy of the Lord. However, there is no biblical mandate or clear command to either include or prohibit laughing in church. Each church is free to pursue the goals and purposes of church meetings in the way they think best (Galatians 5:13).

       Let’s back up a step and take a look at what those goals are (let me be clear: laughter and having a good time are nowhere listed as a goal for church ministry). The Bible tells us that early believers gathered together for the purpose of teaching, fellowship, sharing meals together and prayer (Acts 2:42). The author of Hebrews exhorted believers to gather together for the purpose of encouraging each other to continue in the faith (Hebrews 10:25).

       So the question each church must address individually is: can we better achieve these goals with laughter or without it? Some believers sincerely feel that laughter is out of place in a church meeting. They often wish their services to emphasize reverence for God, and see laughter as conflicting with verses such as I Corinthians 14:40. I celebrate our Christian liberty which allows them to explore that perspective, along with whatever benefits and drawbacks it may have.

       I must say that I tend towards a different perspective. While church meetings can certainly become too focused on having a good time, I believe that the functions of fellowship, teaching and even worship benefit from occasional laughter (Psalm 95:2). Humor helps us relax and open our hearts to what is going on around us. Many studies have shown that humor aids in learning and brings many benefits to our physical, mental and emotional health. It is often necessary for a faithful church to dive into difficult passages and concepts, and I think it’s important to balance that with times that celebrate the more joyful and lighthearted parts of God’s Word and our Christian journey.

       If you’re entering a church for the first time and want to know what is appropriate, I think the best advice is the old saying: “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Look around at how others are acting and go with the flow. This will give you the time you need to see how that church operates and whether this is a group of believers which you can fit with in a relationship of giving and receiving.

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