Improv and preaching about money

Last night I went to my penultimate improv class.
 
I don’t know what’s more surprising, that I'm using the word “penultimate” in a sentence or that I’m taking an improv class. I’m going two-for-two.
 
During COVID my husband and I did a (as in one) jigsaw puzzle together. Relationship goals reached! In 2023, it was time to up our game. The answer: improv. Admittedly, an unusual thing to land on but we were up for the challenge.
 
And a (good) challenge it’s been.
 
Whenever I tell someone that we’re taking an improv class, their first reaction is almost always:
 
“There’s no way I could do that.”
 
Friends, I thought the same thing before I signed up.
 
I am living proof that there is a way.
 
Our class is taught by an introvert who is a tenured chemistry professor at our local university. He’s been doing improv for ten years and is a great instructor. He performs every other Friday night at the comedy club. If anyone started off by saying, “There’s no way…” it was him.
 
What’s great about improv is that it gets you out of your head. You are given – in rapid-fire succession – sometimes bizarre, sometimes seemingly mundane ideas to explore. Here’s a sample of last night’s prompts:

• Your two index fingers are talking to each other. They are vampires. Invent a 30-second conversation.
   

• With another classmate create a scene about llamas.
   

• Develop an interaction with the mafia as your inspiration but no one is a mobster.
   

• Two of you create a scene about Target (or a target). Store or archery - you pick.

The best part? You can’t help but laugh.
 
Actually, it’s two hours of non-stop laughing. It’s two hours of non-stop creativity. It’s fun, I’m interacting with people who are different than me, and it is the highlight of my week. We're all having a ball.
 
There is a way that you can do something that seems uncomfortable, embarrassing, and totally foreign.
 
I think you may see where I’m going with this.
 
Too many clergy think they can’t talk about money in church.
 
They may have had one sincere curmudgeon tell them that “everyone will leave the church if you talk about money.”
 
Or they may tell themselves, “I’ve heard all those tele-evangelists talking about money. Ick. That’s not me.”
 
Or, “No one ever told me in seminary that that was part of the job description.”
 
But friends, there is another way. Send yourself these messages:
 
You can talk about money in the church.
You can be authentic in your message.
You can be joy-filled about it.
 
However…just like me with improv, you have to step off the proverbial cliff and do it.
 
Preaching about money and possessions is an important part of your ministry because how we as disciples utilize our resources is a spiritual issue.
 
With a little practice and confidence, there is a way. You can preach, you can talk about money in the church.
 
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to have my index fingers get in a conversation about my audition for Second City and the Groundlings. Saturday Night Live, here I come!
 
P.S. Have any tips you’d like to share about talking about money in church? How about a sermon that you’re particularly proud of? Shoot me an email – your colleagues will thank you!
 
Here are some previous posts about preaching about money:
 
Preaching about money: It’s a good thing
3 ways to give your pastor permission to talk about money
Nervous about talking money? Time to get over it
Clergy: You need to talk about money

Photo credit: Perlenmuschel from Pixabay

Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. Here’s a little improv fun.
 
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
 
Schedule a meeting now.
 
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