Faith-Based Comedy CHURCH PEOPLE Champions the Bible: ‘The Truth Is Relevant’
By Movieguide® Staff
Although the new faith-based comedy, CHURCH PEOPLE, pokes fun at modern church culture, it is a timely reminder that God’s word is enough.
The movie stars Christian comedian Thor Ramsey as youth pastor Guy Sides. Sides believes that the church needs to get back to preaching the Gospel alone. Ramsey’s character, along with a talented cast featuring Stephen Baldwin, Erin Cahill and Joey Fatone, work to push back against the wacky enthusiasm of Pastor Skip Finney, played by Michael Monks, and the “megachurch marketing machine.”
“CHURCH PEOPLE is a funny, enjoyable satire about compromising the Gospel of Jesus for the sake of marketing the church,” Movieguide®’s review reads.
Although the movie is a satire, Ramsey and Monks said comedy is a part of faith.
“Humor is universal, because, again, the Creator of all things created humor,” Ramsey told Movieguide®. “And the biggest thing is that there’s nothing sacrilegious in the movie. Because, you know, we take the Gospel seriously. Now, what we do is we do satirize some things in the subculture itself, that really, again, are things that get in the way of the Gospel. I think that it takes humility to laugh at ourselves. And I think that’s a Christian virtue.”
Along with the comedic aspects, CHURCH PEOPLE does not shy away from showing people’s weaknesses and need for faith.
“What I loved about the movie is the comedy aspect. People are funny; people do funny things in the pursuit of things. I’ve seen a lot of faith-based movies, and they tend to fear showing people struggling with their faith. And that’s what I loved about this movie, and all the characters, that their intentions are good, but their application is not serving them,” Monks told Movieguide®. “People, in reality, in our world struggle with applying their faith, whatever that is,” and how do you live your faith within an ever-changing and challenging world?”
Monks, who plays the antagonist in CHURCH PEOPLE, said that the movie comments on imperfect humans’ struggle to pursue faith and how God can redeem our efforts to be faithful to Him.
“For Skip’s character, he’s got lost in the spectacle to bring people in, as opposed to the message to bring people in. So that is his struggle, coming to find his way back to the faith. That’s what I really loved about it is that it was really watching, in a positive way, people fight their way back to their faith,” Monks said.
Ramsey said that his character’s struggle is trusting that God, and His word, can stand alone—a relevant message for Christians today.
“Is the Gospel enough? I mean, do we need to dress the Gospel up with whistles and bells? When it comes down to it, humanity has not changed. So they need the same message, they need the message of Jesus,” Ramsey said. “And that message just comes from the straight Gospel, from opening up the Bible. It’s how God’s always communicated the truth of who his son is. And, you know, that’s what people need.”
CHURCH PEOPLE also highlights how God’s word is always relevant because the truth is always relevant.
“It’s a false dichotomy, saying we need to be relevant, like the world. If you’re talking about the Truth of the universe, it’s relevant,” Ramsey said. “You don’t have to make the truth relevant, the truth is relevant. You don’t need to dress it up. And sometimes when we dress it up, we just make ourselves look ridiculous. And then that it gets in the way of the truth.”
While CHURCH PEOPLE is faith-based, the lesson of truth is relevant, and the comedy is relatable for a broad audience.
“I think people turn, in times of trouble, they turn to their faith. Our society is very divided right now. And I think it’s about trying to find messages that bring people together, not divide people. And that’s what I think this movie is about,” Monks said.
The movie will be released via a Fathom Event release on March 13, 14, and 15, as well as in churches. Visit Churchpeoplefilm.com for more information.
Be sure to read Movieguide®’s full review of CHURCH PEOPLE.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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