“Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”

Presbyterians need to get serious about joy — yes, joy.

Our faith tradition does many things well. We are scholarly students of the Bible and theological tradition. Our worship is rich and thoughtful in its construction. While imperfect, our way of organizing the church’s governance is a gift to the world.

However, the seriousness and often solemnity that serves us well in these areas can have an unfortunate side-effect: diminishing the Christian practice of joy and joyful hearts are closely linked to acts of generosity.

With my transition to serve at the Presbyterian Foundation, I have found myself looking for a place of worship for the first time in many years. As I have visited churches, I was surprised by what attracted me or not to each congregation. It wasn’t a perfect match on the theological spectrum, nor was it the sermons I found the most engaging. What drew me into the congregation where I now worship regularly was the obvious sense of joyful community present in the worship space.

The holiness of worship must include the joyful celebration of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the culmination of this celebration is the opportunity to respond with generosity. I do not give out of obligation or guilt. I give because I am excited about what Jesus is doing in the world. I give because he has invited me to be a part of his work. I give because Jesus has transformed my life into one that is lived (imperfectly) for others. My gifts and yours are one way we bring our joy in Jesus out into the world with us.

Frank A. Thomas, PhD, Professor of Homiletics and Director of the Academy of Preaching and Celebration at Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, Indiana, has taught extensively on the importance of celebration and joy in preaching, saying, “Celebration (in preaching) is to joyfully and ecstatically reinforce what you have already taught the people.” To extend this celebration from the word proclaimed into the opportunity to respond with our time, talent, and treasure is to embrace the joyful news that Jesus and his Church are very much alive and eager to serve a broken and hurting world.

Presbyterians: embrace the Christian practice of joy. Laugh, clap your hands (on two and four, please), and sing those hymns like they have the power to change the world. Have FUN together.

Celebrate the goodness of God in scripture and in your life. May the world look at us and see mindful biblical scholars, thoughtful worshipers, and intentional ecclesiologists. But may they also see the smiling at church camp or VBS children who sang, “And I’m so happy, so very happy, I have the love of Jesus in my heart!”

May we all find joy overflowing into generosity in your congregational life together.