If God has a sense of humor, He's got a lot more to laugh at now. Taking a page from the secular world, Christians are getting more involved in the comedy business, opening their own clubs and honing their values-inspired standup routines.

Their "clean" entertainment is offering an option to audiences who prefer G-rated humor, and challenging the comedy world to be more creative by moving beyond two of its staples: sex and swearing. Even now, a few mainstream clubs are featuring Christian comedy nights.

Mixing punch lines and religion is easier these days, as churches are more accepting of humor as a way to provide hope and express God. Experienced comedians are also more frequently identifying themselves as Christian and are gaining exposure.

"For some reason it's been late in coming but it is happening now," says Mark Anderson, owner of the Skyline Theater in Oklahoma City, which debuted a Christian show, "A Time to Laugh," in August. "The talent in the Christian comedy world has improved to such an extent that these shows stand on their own now."

Those in the business say the community is small but growing. In the past 2-1/2 years, membership of the Christian Comedy Association has grown from 40 to 300, with CCA president Dan Rupple estimating about 60 of those are top-notch.

"We're seeing that the Christian community [is] exploring and embracing comedy as a great way to communicate their values or their worldview," says Mr. Rupple, a comedy writer in Los Angeles.

Only a handful of comics are currently considered strong enough to be headliners, many having first worked in secular clubs where the audiences are less forgiving than those who sit in pews. But newcomers are getting more opportunity to strengthen their material in sacred as well as secular venues from California to the Bible Belt to Washington.

In the past year, several Christian venues, including the Skyline in Oklahoma City and Synergy in Beltsville, Md., have opened, occasionally drawing big crowds. "We just want to provide an outlet for performers who are using their talent for Him, and to provide an alternative for college-area young adults," says Erik Sellin, director of Synergy, an 80-seat club that opened in July.

What frequently categorizes the humor in Christian shows is its avoidance of racist and sexist jokes, vulgarity, and making fun of people in the crowd. "It's just as funny," says Mr. Sellin, "and there's an edifying message underlying all of it."

Several Christian comedy TV programs are also in the works, including a deal Mr. Anderson is trying to arrange with PAX TV to give national exposure to a show highlighting performances at his 225-seat theater. Last Saturday, the first installment debuted on a local PAX station in Oklahoma City.

In Los Angeles, Jefflyn Dangerfield - no relation to Rodney - is working to get a TV show featuring comedy routines on one of the faith-based networks by early 2005. Last week she put out a call for Christian comics.

"I had no idea there were so many Christian comedians out there who were wanting to express themselves in this way," says Dangerfield, owner of Missing Link Consulting & Management, who received more than 200 responses within two days of announcing the project.

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