THIS IS AN UPDATE — I’m telling you so you don’t have to read the whole post again. Several people have joined me in support of my coming out. Thank you! Your generosity and encouragement means a lot to me!
Just yesterday, I had a face to face conversation with a fellow minister (who happens to be a comedian) and we talked about ways to bring people together during these crazy times when people are made to feel like villains for coming together. I’m making it a priority to create a space (even if it’s virtual space) where you can be with other people. It is NOT good to be alone. Friendship is important and it requires effort. If you aren’t a member of the Comedy Clique yet…go to my website and get a membership.
And if you read the original coming out announcement, you can stop reading now…
I’m not hiding anymore; I’m starting this year with a confession. It’s probably going to disappoint some people. I may lose some friends. So be it. My secret life is killing me and I’m tired of being double-minded. It is time to reveal the truth to the world.
Comedy is my ministry.
That is one of the hardest things I have ever written. That sentence has taken years to form.
For decades, I’ve denied that comedy is “ministry.”. The word “ministry” made me wince because it conjured up the image of disciples being flogged, tossed into prison and martyred. I personally know hundreds of people who make their living in “ministry.” Most of them haven’t been burned at the stake, but they are decent, honest folks earnestly wanting to serve God.
But…Ministry is for shysters!
I’ve always got a ‘but’ which is why I over-complicate everything including the decision to use the word ‘ministry.’
“Ministry” also makes me think of hucksters flying around in private jets selling books and magical talisman to stupendous swarms of spiritual simpletons. The most notorious “ministers” own several mansions along with a jet plane and still ask me to send a donation or their ministry will collapse. When “the minister” starts asking for money, I get fidgety.
The Real Reason I Avoided Ministry
I finally figured out the problem wasn’t the word ‘ministry.’ The problem was my own gigantic ego.
The jarring, unavoidable, humiliating truth is that I WAS NOT reluctant to use the word “ministry” because I was humble. I chose to think of “ministry” as a derogatory term. I thought I was “better” than the millionaire celebrity pastors and couldn’t stand the thought of associating my comedy with those crooked heretics. So, I rejected my ministry because of arrogance, self-righteousness, and pride. Calling myself “a comedian” was how I distanced myself from my fellow ministers. That’s not humility. It’s just arrogance and hubris.
As I diligently denied my divine designation, I kept coming across scripture like this one:
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood … you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:4 –
While I was insisting I wasn’t a minister, the Bible was saying I’m a priest. Which is even worse! I’ve got even more baggage attached to the word “priest” than to “minister.” And that’s exactly the problem. I make decisions based on “my baggage” rather than the truth of God’s word.
You’re A Minister Too
So I’m going to stop disavowing my status. I’m a minister and comedy is my ministry. Now that this ministry is official, I’m going to take up an offering. Hahahahaha! LOL! LOL! LOL!
I’m serious.
That passage of scripture in 1 Peter isn’t just for me. It’s for you too. You’re a minister whether you admit it or not. I suggest we join forces. Let’s do ministry together.
My part of the ministry will be to produce comedy. If God is willing, I’ll continue to crank-out biblical truth that’s funny.
Ministry Ain’t Free
Your part of the ministry is to send money. A few bucks a month will cover the ministerial expenses. I don’t need a jet plane, but I do need to pay for a few things like:
I also need to buy groceries and electricity too.
Here is the monthly goal.
If you’d like to combine our ministries, you can become a member of the Comedy Clique here: https://johnbranyan.com/membership-selection/
You can make a one-time donation using the form below. You can also make a monthly donation of any amount. Monthly donations can be changed or canceled at any time.
