About three years ago, I finally accepted my call to the ministry and preached my first sermon. It was probably the most difficult and gut-wrenching decision of my life. I started feeling the tug of ministry in my heart many years earlier, but I ran from it with every ounce of strength I possessed.
You see, I was–and always had been–an introvert. I hated speaking in public. While I could express myself powerfully through writing, I found time and time again that my dreams at becoming the next great orator were often crushed by mental flatlines and debilitating bouts of stuttering. I had a twelfth grade reading level by the time I was eight, but reading out loud in class gave the impression I was practically illiterate. And the first time I ever spoke at church, I loudly cleared my throat and coughed in the microphone, stopping almost every heart in the congregation I’m sure (a moment never forgotten by my friends)..
In countless ways, not much has changed. Yes, I’m a preacher, but I still get so nervous before getting up behind the pulpit that I can’t eat or sleep, sometimes for days. And small talk still terrifies me so much that a few weeks ago, I literally hid in a corner at Barnes and Noble to avoid talking to someone (which created a situation a thousand times more embarrassing, but I’ll spare you the details).
I’ve been doing this for a while, sure, but I’m still as socially awkward as I’ve ever been.
There is a common misconception in today’s church culture that all involved in “pulpit ministry” (or public ministry, if you please) are completely comfortable with it, and that is simply not the case. The truth of the matter is that there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of people out there just like me–severely introverted, but called into the spotlight. However, due to the misconception mentioned above, when it comes to resources to avoid the fear and common mistakes we face in pulpit ministry, there really are none to be found.
I believe with all of my heart that introverts are some of the wisest and most insightful people on the planet–perhaps the greatest qualities any prospective preacher, teacher or pastor could possess. But I also believe that without the proper tools and training, certain mistakes in delivery can destroy the seeds of ministry before they have even been planted.
I have learned, through practice, error and observation, what works and what doesn’t–what makes a sermon successful and what makes a preacher go home and beat themselves up for weeks. The following list is a guide to all my peers–not the social butterflies, but the reclusive caterpillars safely hidden within the comforts of their own cocoons. May it give you the strength and courage to break into the light of your calling, no matter how impossible or incomprehensible the task may seem.
1. Become a great writer first.
Great writers make great speakers, period. This is because writers know how to structure an argument in a way that is both effective and impactful. At the end of the day, a sermon is just that: an argument–a persuasive essay in verbal form. So do yourself a favor and study the art of composition. It will help you formulate a a fluid sermon that flows and allows your audience to stay with the program (and keeps their attention). No one likes listening to a jumbled mess of misplaced aphorisms.
2. Know your audience.
While we’re on the subject of your audience, you should probably know a little about them. It would likely be considered insensitive, for example, to speak on riches to the homeless, or downright ridiculous to preach to the elderly on respecting the elders. While it is unrealistic to expect familiarity of every need or deep, dark secret in the lives of the people to whom you are speaking, it is very possible to get a general sense of who they are and what they’re facing. If you’re able, take a second to mingle amongst the congregation. I know, it may be a terrifying prospect, but it will help tremendously and give you a personal connection to the people you’re trying to reach. And when all else fails, simply observe. It’s incredible how much you can learn simply by paying attention to expression and body language.
3. Take good notes.
It’s easy for young preachers to look to those more seasoned and try to mimic their style. With that being said, there are plenty of great orators out there who preach with little to no notes, but I can assure you that none of them started out that way. Listen: the most awkward thing in the world is sitting through a sermon that has not been properly prepared–watching a preacher flip through the pages of his Bible searching for the Scripture he needs or pausing for long periods of time trying to gather his thoughts. There are no two ways around it: these things hinder the flow of a church service and almost always lose the interest and respect of the audience. The Bible says to “study to show thyself approved unto God,” which tells me that God both believes in and honors preparation. If you prepare well enough, you may not truly need your notes, and there may even be a point in your sermon when you feel the need to improvise, but those moments are few and far between, and notes are always still a great tool to have when you need to find your way back to the subject at hand. When all is said and done, people like good oratory. And there’s no arguing the fact that something thought out and then written down usually sounds better than something spoken on the spot
4. Practice. And then practice some more.
As the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. And I’m sorry friend, but your preaching is far more likely to start off sounding like a speech by King George the sixth than Shakespeare’s Henry the Fifth. Don’t be afraid to talk to yourself. It may sound crazy, but rehearsing your sermon, especially in the beginning of your ministry, will highlight all of its flaws and hiccups and show you exactly what you need to change. Also, if your pastor has given you a time limit, practicing will give you a good idea whether your sermon meets the Goldilocks standard: not too long, not too short, but just right. And the greatest benefit of your one-man rehearsal sessions: it will ensure that you are familiar with the material–the information, the timing and the proper vocal inflection–thus ensuring your audience’s level of comfort when the time is right.
5. Check your sources.
The last thing you want to do is lose credibility with your audience. The easiest way to do this is by spouting off endless amounts of false information. If you haven’t taken the time to make sure that your research is clear, precise, accurate and from a reliable source, don’t repeat it. Chances are, most people in the congregation will not notice your error, but you never know when you’re going to have an archeology buff or language expert in the crowd–so don’t even think about referencing the Dead Sea Scrolls or critiquing Biblical translations unless you’re sure you know what exactly you’re talking about. Public ministry means being subject to public scrutiny, so be certain that you’re as pure and blameless as possible.
6. Don’t be someone you’re not.
Be yourself and work to your strengths. If you don’t enjoy cracking jokes on a day-to-day basis, don’t force one into your sermon. If you don’t love words, reading, history and language, don’t pretend to be an expert of Hebrew, Greek or Jewish culture during the first century. No one likes a fake, especially behind the pulpit. (Now, if you speak like that one teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, then yes, try and liven it up a little bit. Be sure, though, that you don’t lose yourself in the process. Just as writers have a unique voice and style, so do speakers. Don’t be afraid to let yours shine).
7. Body language. Use it.
While the idea of making eye contact with another human being is a horrifying idea, you just need to do it. I’m sorry. And while you’re making eye contact, be sure to move around a little bit. If you stand in one spot with your hands digging into your thighs, you’re going to make your audience feel like they’re trapped in military school (and you may start bleeding, which would just be weird). Body language is something that usually doesn’t come easily to introverts, but it’s an absolute must. In all actuality, it goes hand in hand with practice. The more comfortable you are with your material, the more comfortable you will be in your execution. So rehearse, use your hands, walk around and breathe.
8. Fake it until you make it.
If you consider yourself an introvert, you most likely will never feel completely comfortable when public speaking. There will almost always be nervousness and a certain level of uneasiness when it comes time to deliver what you’ve practiced (sorry to break it to you). It seems a little backwards to encourage you to pretend in light of my previous tips, but the simple truth is this: if your audience can see the lack of confidence in your delivery, they will lack confidence in both you as a leader and whatever it is you’re trying to say. Find a way to deal with the fear in a way that isn’t distracting–keep a paperclip in your pocket and play with it, or force your best friend to sit in the front pew (but don’t picture everyone in their underwear. That’s just gross). The bottom line here: no matter how nervous you may be, you can’t let it show. It’s overwhelming, I know. But like everything else, it comes with practice.
And, finally:
9. Learn from your blunders, but don’t let them define you.
You have to accept the fact that every once in a while, you’re going to say or do stupid things. I assure you that every preacher and teacher on earth has a list of embarrassing moments they could spout off on the spot if you asked them. Whether it’s coughing in the microphone, falling, stuttering, mispronouncing simple words or watching your pants drop to your ankles, something is going to happen, and people won’t ever let you forget it. Don’t be too proud to laugh at those moments. And there will be some times–whether due to a lack of preparation, poor execution, bad timing or simply the mood of the crowd–that a sermon will not go as well as you imagined. Don’t be too proud to learn from those moments.
So, there you have it. Do with it what you will. And if everything seems to be falling apart and all else fails, buy a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and remember this: you’re not alone.
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