Spiritual Humor & Evangelism

As Pastor Brett was preaching last Sunday regarding contextualization, this YouTube video came to mind from last summer.  Don't click on it yet.  Read the rest of this entry first.  I like to think I am pretty open minded (while still holding to my convictions), but to be honest, I wasn't quite sure what I thought of this prayer.  But as I think about it - and looked into the background - maybe it wasn't so bad.  Think about and consider:

First - give NASCAR credit.  Do the NBA, NFL, MLB or any other big sports invite a pastor to come and pray before the event takes place?  Not any that I'm aware of.
Second - Does God have humor?  I think about some of the "animal books" I read and looked through with my kids when they were little.  Some of those animals were really funny looking.
Third - Humor in the Bible?  Well, there was a talking donkey.  I'm sorry.  That is pretty funny.  I also have a book by Elton Trueblood called The Humor of Christ.
Fourth - Did Jesus make non-Christians smile (and laugh)?  I'm guessing He did.
Fifth - What would you pray at the race track?  Pastor Joe Nelms had prayer there before and he wanted to make an impact on people.  Yes, I understand that we pray to the God of all creation.  The Almighty God.  But, Pastor Nelms was truly (by his own admission) trying to be like the first century apostle and become "all things to all men".
Sixth - This isn't church.  It's not a worship service.  Think context.  Do you pray the same kind of prayer with 5 year olds that you would in your small group, Sunday School class or in your own devotional time?  No.
Seventh - In order to reach the lost and get their attention, what are we willing to do?  Try something different?  Endure criticism?
Eighth - When Jesus addressed the Father, He called Him "Abba", meaning "daddy" - a pretty affectionate and not real formal term.
Ninth - Giving thanks.  We do it all the time when we pray.  We may question some of the things that Pastor Nelms thanks God for, but I bet some third world Christians would stand in bewilderment at some of the things we thank (and ask) God for.
Tenth - "Boogity Boogity Boogity".  This is a famous phrase that racer Darrell Waltrip  uses ("Boogity, boogity, boogity.  Let's go racing boys!").  Didn't the Apostle Paul use cultural celebrities from his era in an effort to reach those for Christ when he preached on Mars Hill?  Paul is referring to the rock star type people that everyone knew of.
Eleventh - Thanking God for his "smokin' hot wife".  Uffda.  Well, actually, when you think about it - that's pretty biblical.  Was she embarrassed?  Maybe a little.  Was she affirmed?  Yes.  Was she valued?  Yes.  Did she feel loved?  How could she not!  Whether she's hot or not - he thinks she is.  That's the bottom line and he's not afraid to tell the world.  Way to go pastor.

Well, I've probably stirred the pot with this entry.  But, please, consider what it may take to reach others with the Good News.  Steve Sorenson mentioned to me last Sunday that some of the guys in his mens group are taking a day a week to pray and fast for the "100 lives" to come to Christ in 2012.  They're doing something!