Ragamuffin: preaching
… an odd animal
P
reaching is an odd animal in the sense that we generally have a person standing and giving a “lecture”. It is usually a monologue. To do this effectively one must have some passion concerning the subject. Most preachers do have passion but, for some reason, it may not shine through as clearly as it does when they watch their favorite sport.
Along with passion there must be preparation. This should go without saying but I said it anyway. Pastors are generally busy and in my line of work I have
added responsibilities that can consume any preparation time. Passion, preparation and - I need another “P” word here … raPport. Oh, well I tried. In the effort to get rapport does the use of notes hinder? I don’t think so. I have heard several speakers who had passion and preparation and they still gained a rapport even with the use of notes or a manuscript.
Now, I have also heard persons try to speak with very few notes and have no rapport. So I think connection is the key, not the lack of notes/eye contact. Maybe it comes down to letting your personality blend with the Holy Spirit and then flowing into a message from God to the people (through you). Personally, I seldom use notes. This fits my personality. I endeavor to put true passion and preparation into the sermon. Hopefully God will work in spite of my feeble attempts and authentic rapport (or a connection) will be made. The critical issues of our preparation and presentation are: Is it accurate? Is it clear? Is it practical?
Ragamuffin appears every Monday on theRubicon. Find past Ragamuffin posts and a bio of Capt. Jay Davis here.
1 Comment to Ragamuffin: preaching
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Hey all!
Having never preached (at least not from a pulpit anyway), I don’t understand what those who preach mean by “connection” with the audience. Does this “connection” ever get measured?
By my standards, some preachers and preachings vary in quality but that’s my own taste and preference.
Anyway, communication is one way in the sermon so, again, without “feedback” how do you know what the reception is?
Andrea