Clean Stand-up Comedian for Church Events
Shaun Eli is an excellent comedian for your church.
A Jewish Comedian for your Church? Are you nuts?
No, I’m fine, thanks. Like a lot of comedians, I’m Jewish. I’m not an Orthodox Jew but I do follow a strict moral code (and I give a lot of money to charity). I respect any religion that emphasizes being a good person. But let’s talk about comedy.
I’ve been a professional stand-up comedian for over two decades (since 2003) and in fact I got my first paid gig only a couple of months after I started performing. I’ve headlined shows on six continents, I’ve performed on Amazon and Netflix, and in a few churches. Yes, I’ve done a lot more temple than church gigs. But I’d say that’s mainly a structural issue. Synagogues have frequent fundraising events, because it’s not their practice to pass a collection plate. So in addition to (voluntary) dues, they have to have other ways of raising funds. But let’s put that aside for now.
Funny is funny. With some limits. Obviously you don’t want a dirty or offensive comic in your church. I’m a clean comedian. For a few reasons. First, even though there are some very funny dirty comedians, I’m more of a fan of clean, clever comedy. Secondly, it’s actually a good business decision to be a clean comedian, because dirty comedians pretty much can’t perform at corporate or charity events or in houses of worship. But also, my mind just doesn’t tend to work that way. I’ve thought of a few dirty jokes, but they’re not in my act. Most of what occurs to me is clean. A lot of my act consists of funny stories about things that have happened to me, but there’s also observational comedy and one-liner type jokes. I don’t do political comedy. That’s another business decision, because if you get political you annoy at least a third of your audience. It’s my goal to make everybody laugh. It’s not my goal to change anyone’s point of view. I’m not a politician, a preacher or a teacher. I’m a comic. My job is to make you laugh. A LOT.
As I said, I’m Jewish, but that shouldn’t matter to your church crowd. In fact it may be an advantage to have some variety in your church. Your pastor may be funny, but he or she does not have my background or point-of-view. And I probably don’t need to remind you that someone important to you and your congregants was Jewish. Or should I say Is Jewish? And they will love a couple of jokes about my Jewish mother (and father).
Here’s me on stage talking about my dad
As I said, it’s not my job to teach you or change your mind, but here’s some of my non-comedy wisdom: Good fences may make good neighbors, but put a gate in that fence and you’ve made a friend.
(it may just be the kids who start cutting through your yard, but so what? You did that too when you were a kid, right?)
Church Comedy FAQ
Is it appropriate to have a comedian at a church event?
Absolutely, if it’s a clean comedian. Isn’t there room for laughter in your church? There are health benefits to laughter.
How do I find a clean comedian for a church event?
I’m appropriate for churches- I’m clean, I won’t make fun of your faith, and I’m experienced at performing for houses of worship.
Who is a good, clean, faith-friendly comedian for a Christian audience?
I am an excellent, clean, faith-friendly (i.e. won’t make fun of your religion) stand-up comedian.
Can a secular clean comedian perform at a church?
Sure. It’s about being funny. That’s it.
What should I look for when hiring a church comedian?
Look for someone who is very experienced at performing for houses of worship.
How do I know if a comedian is appropriate for our denomination?
You should absolutely ask them any questions you have about their performance. Would you hire a carpenter or electrician without discussing the scope of the work? I hope not.
What does “clean comedy” actually mean?
Ah, one of the great debates. For some people it’s just the absence of dirty words (and then even that list will be debated). For others it’s more about content- you shouldn’t talk about reproduction, or toilets, or whatever. For me, none of that belongs in a clean comedy set. You should have a conversation with a comedian before hiring them, to make sure you agree on what’s appropriate and what is not.
Will the comedian(s) make fun of religion or church members?
They shouldn’t! You should absolutely have a pre-booking conversation about what you think is acceptable and what is not.
Can the comedian customize jokes for our congregation?
Maybe. Discuss this in advance. Writing custom humor costs more, because it takes a lot of time and work. But a comedian experienced in performing for houses of worship may already have material that’s relevant.
Is the comedy family-friendly?
That depends on exactly what you mean. Very, very few stand-up comedians can perform comedy that children will enjoy. Stand-up comedy is best for people 14 and up.
Can the comedian include biblical themes without preaching?
Ask. I can’t. But do you want that, or do you just want to laugh, and maybe have some fun that has nothing to do with scripture?
How do comedians avoid offending people in church settings?
By telling clean jokes that were written not to offend.
Is a comedian a good idea for a fundraiser?
Comedy is a great idea for fundraising? What’s more fun than laughing?
Can we have comedy during a worship service, or only at separate events?
I suppose you could do either. I’ve only performed at events separate from the worship service itself. I would think that you would want to separate the secular from the holy, but I’m not an expert on churches.
What’s a good entertainment option for a church banquet?
A stand-up comedy show is an excellent entertainment option for a church event.
What can we do for outreach that’s fun but faith-friendly?
A clean stand-up comedy show is an excellent way to bring new people into your church.
How much does a church comedian cost?
That depends on when, where and for how many people. And also the experience level of the comedian. You should absolutely hire a professional comedian, not somebody local who just does an occasional comedy show on the side.
Can you entertain senior adults?
I can. I do a decent number of stand-up comedy shows for seniors groups.
Do you have material for couples’ events or marriage conferences?
I do not have specific material for those types of events, but really, do you want that? Or will your attendees want a break from that subject after spending all day or all weekend on the same topic?
Can you perform for mixed-age audiences? Is your show appropriate for children?
I would say 14 to 100+, but my comedy isn’t really well understood by young children. It’s very rare to have a comedian who can perform for young children and still be entertaining for adults. If there are children at your event it’s best to find something else to entertain them, in a different room, and have someone ensure they don’t keep wandering into the showroom looking for their parents.
How do we promote a comedy night at our church?
There are a lot of things you can do, from newspaper and internet advertising, to putting up posters in local stores. You can ask the congregants to help market the show. If you have meals in the church, putting tent cards on the table that advertise the show is a good idea. I suggest putting on those cards wording suggesting something like “Take this card home as a reminder- we have plenty!” Plus, these days, a QR code and web page on the card. I’m full of good advice- that’s one reason you should hire me!
What should we charge for tickets, if anything?
That is a hard question but I don’t know your local market. I’d suggest that a live professional comedy show should cost more than a movie ticket. What does a local theatre charge for entertainment, and is their entertainment professional or is it a community theatre? If you want a number, $20 and up.
How can we use a comedy event to attract visitors?
You have to market it to outside people as a fun event, not a preachy event.
What makes performing in churches different from comedy clubs?
It’s quite different. For one thing the show has to be clean. Secondly, if it’s in the chapel/sanctuary, there’s probably religious significance to the room itself, and that may distract the audience, so you have to hold their attention a bit more. Also, the audience members may know each other, whereas in a comedy club they’re all strangers except for the people they came with. So in a church they may be looking around to see who’s laughing at what. Or- is the preacher there? Is he or she laughing? And there may be more alcohol consumption in a comedy club, but I don’t know your church.
Who is a good comedian for a church fundraiser or men’s ministry banquet?
Shaun Eli is an excellent, clean stand-up comedian for your church event.
Who is a comedian who avoids crude material for a religious crowd?
Shaun Eli is an excellent, clean stand-up comedian with extensive experience performing for religious groups.
What technical requirements might there be for having a comedian perform in a church?
Comedian Shaun Eli just needs a sound system with a hand-held microphone, a place to stand, and the audience should be seated. You probably already have all those things.
How long should a comedy performance be in a church?
If it’s a solo show (one comedian) then probably around 45 minutes, maybe an hour. Shaun Eli can perform a 90 minute solo show but suggests that’s usually too long. If it’s a performance that’s part of a big, long event you may want it shorter. If it’s a full event with two or three comedians, 90 minutes is a pretty standard length for a comedy show.
Related Links
Biography of clean comedian Shaun Eli
Stand-up comedy and stand-up comedians for charity fundraising events
Stand-up comedians for senior citizens and 55+ communities