Please Don’t Revive Us Again!
The Human Side of the Church of Christ
by
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Most psychologists concur that humor involves the recognition of incongruity--the ability to laugh or even the inability to refrain from laughing at the huge, gaping chasm between what we profess to be and what we actually are; between what we intend to do and what we actually accomplish between what we think we know and what we actually know; and between what we are certain we can accomplish and what in reality we are able to achieve. And there are times in the most solemn and sanctified moments of life experience, a patently absurd and unexpected intrusion may occur. The more you try to control yourself and stifle the laughter, the more uncontrollable it seems. Rather than feeling shame and embarrassment because, after all we are supposed to be Christians and serious-minded spiritual people, perhaps the smiles and laughter are reminders that we have values and priorities from which we fall short. Our humor must not make light of people through malice and we must not resort to disrespectful sarcasm. Yet why not simply admit who we are and what we are and then why not have a few honest-to-God smiles, chuckles and even roars of laughter when our stories of admission call for them. Satire and humor may serve as valuable hammers and chisels in tearing down the false idols and pedestals upon which we place ourselves. (Excerpts adapted from chapter one.)
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About the Book
This book is truly one of a kind! Through satire and humor, author Perry C. Cotham colorfully shares a wealth of practical insight about church life in general and pulpit ministry specifically. In Please Don’t Revive Us Again! he presents a unique picture of authentic Christian men and women and the joys, pains, and serendipities they experience along their faith journey. As preaching and teaching minister, Cotham offers a collection of humorous, irreverent, and sometimes sad stories and observations from his long career within one unique Christian tradition. Informative and entertaining, he discusses situations and people culled from church life, ministerial training at a Christian college, and the practical realities of a spiritual vocation. Literally hundreds of fascinating and colorful personalities are named and stories narrated. Containing a delightful mixture of the good, the bad, and the ugly, Please Don’t Revive Us Again! gives insight into the life of a minister and shares the advice and lessons he learned along the way. Some readers may disagree with Cotham’s applications or feel discomfort with some of his stories, but most will find it difficult to put this book down.
About the Author
Dr. Perry Cotham has completed a dual career in university professorship and full-time church ministry, having taught in several public and private universities and having ministered in rural, small town, and large urban area churches in several states. He also has over twenty books that have been published as well as numerous articles in various periodicals and newspapers. Several of these books and articles have garnered national awards.