Humor and faith Gordon shares love for humor in new book

Humor is important to Matt Gordon. A small groups, college and creative coordinator at Cape Bible Chapel, Gordon maintains that much humor in today's society is inappropriate. He hopes to change that in part with his new book, "The Monkeys of God."

Gordon shares what led him to the ministry, his first book, and the joy of seeing lives changed through faith in God.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I read, write, kick, run, laugh, watch, hold and learn. And on my really good days, I love. I was born a baby in Cape Girardeau, bounded around the world a bit thereafter, and currently I live indoors with my wife Hannah. By grace we do not have a dog or cat.   

Q: How long have you been a member of your faith?

A: I became a follower of Jesus at the age of 6, and I fought pretty hard against that choice from age 17-22. Then, as a 22 year-old nearing the end of his stateside schooling, I reunited with Jesus while reading John Steinbeck of all things. So, yeah, as it tends to go, I may have battled, but ultimately God won.  

Q: Who or what inspired you join the ministry?

A: I began to feel that if God were real and Jesus was who He said He was, that living that out must be pretty important. I saw ministry as an avenue to learn much about God, myself, and, ultimately, how to combine the two in sacrificing my life for His cause. Through the time spent employed at a church, I've learned ministry is to be full-time, regardless of vocation. 

Q: What's the greatest blessing you've experienced in the ministry?

A: The greatest blessing is the humility that comes with it. It is one of the few -- if not the only -- professions I can think of wherein one can work hard, have great intentions, treat others well, sacrifice himself, and still get utterly blasted by friend and foe alike. At first this is a hard-waking reality, but as one sees his own ego diminished, it almost becomes freeing. Leading a quiet life and not elevating the view of self have been tremendous benefits. That and chicks dig those in ministry -- at least, it worked for me in nabbing my lovely wife Hannah.  

Q: What's the greatest challenge you've experienced in the ministry?

A: It's intangible. I've taught creative writing. When students turn in their work and it is creative -- and, yeah, written -- well, in that there is a measure of success. I coach soccer. When players defend with discipline and value the ball: Success. In ministry, there is very little tangibility because the job focuses on the "unseen" spiritual realm. This can be tremendously difficult, yet seeing lives change merits rewards incalculable.   

Q: Tell us a little about "The Monkeys of God."

A: Humor is a dying genre, yet where it does exist, it has all too often become grotesque and unruly. "The Monkeys of God" is a throwback book of humorous shorts more in line with what one would find in the pages of James Thurber, Stephen Leacock and [Mark] Twain. I think that laughter is an important thing as we plod along through life. It is a wondrous gift that helps us cope and opens us up. That is the hope with this collection: that it is good for a laugh or at least, if nothing else, good kindling.

Q: Where can readers find your book?

A: Readers can contact me to purchase a physical copy of my book through my website: themattgordon.com. Books can also be purchased, in paperback and digital versions, by visiting Amazon.com. In time, I in paperback and digital versions, by visiting Amazon.com. In time, I plan to release it to some local and regional stores, as well, if they will be kind enough to have me. Upon my millionth sale, I intend to throw a fair-sized party. 

Q: What upcoming events or sermon series do you have scheduled at Cape Bible Chapel?

A: Cape Bible Chapel has recently plunged into a series on The Ten Commandments entitled: Write It on Your Heart. As far as events go, our summer lineup should be accessible atcapebiblechapel.org. We are in an exciting season at the church in which we will be focusing on discipleship, and we hope any without a church home might come check out what God is doing here. 

Q: What's your favorite Bible verse and why?

A: I'm prone to hide myself in apathy and laziness and avoid loving and serving people at all costs. In my life, "Christian" is often some tab I select on social media sites and the admission that I go to a big building on Sundays to sing some songs. So I like Ephesians 2:10. In verses 8 and 9, we get the rundown on how people are saved, and Paul doesn't stop there. Then he says, "Go do something." I like the idea of being intricately created and then charged with a cosmic to-do list by an all-powerful Deity. It beats just sitting around and wallowing in my selfish pride. 

Q: What makes your church unique?

A: Honestly, I hope we are not all that unique, at least from other churches. That thinking can get Christ followers into trouble when we should be bonding together to engage culture and love the people of our towns and neighborhoods together as the broader Body of Christ. At the Chapel, we really try to submit to what the Bible teaches, and my prayer is that we are not unique in that. The truth is that there are a lot of great churches in the area that have a high view of scripture, and we are all on the same team in the key kingdom sort of ways. Our people or our programs or our emphasis on discipleship and sound Bible teaching or whatever else may have some measure of distinction, but the Savior preached here is the same as that of the early church and every true Christian church that has ever existed.  

Q: What ongoing ministries does your church have that people might be interested in?

A: I guess it just depends on the person and his or her interest. We have ministries for all ages, kids through senior adults, and a variety of outreach opportunities, both in town and throughout the world. We reach out to local prisons and have a thriving, active presence on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. Most of our ministries are set up in a "small group setting" which gives people the opportunity to connect with those with whom they are serving and experience growth through discipleship.

Pertinent address:

2911 Kage Rd, Cape Girardeau, Mo.