The Sermon: Tips to Effective Communication in Worship

Arlen preaching in a suit - a rare site

Perhaps you are a gifted orator and you can hold the congregation spellbound for 45 minutes. If you can, you are one of the gifted few. Most of us can’t and we need assistance.

While my next entry will be a guest spot by a highly respected author and seminary professor, please humour me with a few pointers of my own (And don’t miss the true wireless mic horror story at the end of this entry):

·         Story telling is back. People are much more willing to hear a story than to listen to a lecture. Right or wrong, it’s still a fact. Accept it. Learn the skill. Have your people hear the sounds, sense the smells, relate to the people in your story and you can hold them long enough to deliver the powerful one-two punch.

·         Study the greats. This includes studying written sermons as well as analyzing delivery through video and audio where possible.

·         Rather than giving you another 2,000 word entry of repeated material I’ll just suggest that you check out my prior blog entries here, here, here and here for many of my tips on presenting testimonies and scripture reading. Many of these same ideas translate well to the sermon.

·         Remember that it is not about you. When you grasp this it will change your entire presentation. When I cover stage presence in an upcoming blog I’ll share a few of my personal secrets to live this out.

·         Relax before you speak. I will often read a scripture passage, close my eyes, say a meditative prayer and breathe deeply.

·         Start strong. This could be a thought provoking question, a controversial statement, a compelling story or any other reasonable attention-grabbing technique. You have only a few seconds before people mentally switch you off and decide whether you are or aren’t worth listening to.

·         Use your greatest strengths. Even the greatest decathlon athlete is not the best at every one of the 10 track and field events. While they strengthen their weak areas, they spend more time focusing on the areas that will give them the greatest advantage. In the same way, look at what you do best in public speaking and make this a core focus. 

·         Finish well. Your beginning must be strong but your ending must be a clincher. Focus on this as you prepare.

·         Interact with your audience. Try these:

o   Take “sit down” surveys – Have everyone who is able to stand up. Then start asking questions like, “Everyone who has been attending for more than X years sit down, etc.” This not only increases audience interaction it also creates affinity groups as people see that they are a part of other groups.

o   Ask questions of your audience. If possible, prepare for possible questions in advance and then prepare your answers. If you have a Hyperlinked PowerPoint slide to data that supports your answer you will seem like the world’s greatest genius.

o   Plant questions. Related to the above, this will help to ensure that very specific questions are asked that relate to the direction of your message. You may also find that in a less-responsive church that this increases your chance of success in the Q & A time.

o   Use ice-breakers. Have people turn to their neighbours and ask a simple question or share a piece of information. I would generally caution you to keep these topics safe, comfortable for all and easy to ask or answer. The exception is if you are with a small group that you know very well and that you are confident in their ability to share quickly and openly.

·         Consider using sermon aids. Video clips, drawing on a flip chart, graphics, live art, an object lesson or a meaningful song with the words projected as people listen can be used in powerful ways to provide impact for your message.

·         At the same time, don’t be overpowered with PowerPoint or other visual aids. It should support your message only as needed. (We’ll have a blog entry coming up on effective use of PowerPoint and other projection aids. We’ll cover things such as the 8’ rule. Stay tuned.)

·         Use variances in your voice. Variance is not only getting louder, it’s also the power of the whisper. Variation can also be used in pitch, articulation, and changing your tempo.

·         Speak as though you’re speaking to one person at a time. By placing yourself in the mindset of personal communications, you become more personal and believable.   

·         Another way to add impact is to break the message up into small sections that are woven throughout the service and only come to a form of resolution at the end. How is this done? Here are some suggestions:

o   Remember that your message is basically a three-part story. It has a beginning which draws people into the message, a middle where tension is developed and crises is reached and an end where resolution is reached. (For more information on how to prepare your story based on these elements, take a look at this prior blog entry.)  

o   Try this idea for integration of the sermon and the music:

§  Start with a song that sets up the beginning of your message. As the song finishes, keep the chords playing quietly in the background (and perhaps introduce the modulation to the next song in the set). The pastor steps to a microphone and launches a great opening that establishes theme and increases the hunger to hear more. Remember that this is an appetizer for the body of the message.

§  The Pastor steps away from the platform as the band seamlessly moves into the next set, often ending on a song that is very thematic to the sermon and sets up a sense of longing or need. Again, the chords continue on the last song and the pastor steps to the platform to continue the message. This is where the greatest content is delivered but in keeping with a great story, the tension is developed until the pinnacle of the crises is reached. At this point people are longing for resolution. Depending upon the length of the message you may ask the praise band to take a breather until you are moving to the end of this section when they will begin to pick up the chords in the background again in order to transition to the closing.

§  The music transitions into a thematic song that begins to move into dramatic resolution. This may be a special music number that the congregation simply listens to. Then, the pastor steps to the platform and offers the closing, complete with resolution.

§  At this point, you may wish to break into a congregational song of response. This may be the high point in the entire service.   

o   The same concept may be used without the tight integration of music. There is no reason why the sermon can’t be introduced at the start of the service, the body delivered in the middle and the resolution presented at the end, followed by a call to response.

o   You may even wish to assign different preachers to different aspects of the sermon. One person presents the beginning, another presents the middle and yet another presents the end. I’ve seen this done quite effectively.

·         Don’t be afraid of connecting with your congregation. Many pastors wear wireless microphones but don’t need to wear them at all during the message. They move in a 2 foot radius. Walk among your people, talk to them, ask them questions.

·         Try different postures. When you face an audience on the balls of your feet it says, “I’m in command and I have something very important to say.” When you sit on a stool it says, “This is heartfelt. Let’s talk one to one.”

·         And finally . . . . don’t imagine people in their underwear if you’re nervous (as the old saying goes). Most audiences (and preachers) don’t look good in their underwear. It’s simply disturbing.  Even more; if I think you’re imagining me in my underwear when you speak it’ll make my skin crawl. (and seeing my skin crawl when I’m in my underwear is really going to distract you . . . I promise!)

Not everyone is gifted enough to be a speaker that people flock to see by the thousands. Yet everyone can improve. Why not start today?

A true wireless microphone horror story related from a fellow minister and President of an International Relief Organization . . .

A guest speaker is about to preach at a church. He’s sitting on the platform with the senior pastor before he delivers his message. A musical group sings a special song that is so bad it’s like fingernails running up and down and up and down a chalkboard for minutes on end. My friend is incredulous. He leans over to the senior pastor, unaware that the soundperson has unmuted his wireless mic and that he’s live throughout the entire sanctuary. With a nod of his head towards the dreadful singers, he whispers the question to the Senior Pastor, “Where did you get this bunch of losers?”

Our upcoming entries on effective sermons are by a special author you will not want to miss. Stay tuned . . .

Dr. Dan Allender

Are you or is someone you know due for a refreshing leadership break? Check out the Leadership Intensive Learning Workshop on January 28 in Edmonton, AB at Break Forth Canada 2011. The highly respected author and leader, Dr. Dan Allender presents "Leading With A Limp" based on his best-selling book of the same name. This will be a life-changing day for many. Don't miss out. Check out more information here.

Tips for Effective Public Scripture Reading in Worship

The Word of God is the high point in the service. It is the primary way that God speaks to us today. If the Word of God is the high point in the service then it needs to be treated in a way that is honouring and captivating. Anything less is to diminish the importance and impact of the Word of God in the public assembly. Churches will so often fine tune their music, the multimedia, the special features and the sermon and yet neglect the proper presentation of the scripture.

There are constant referrals in the Bible to the public reading of scripture (2 Kings 22:3, 2 Kings 23:1-3, Jeremiah 36:2, Nehemiah 7:73b-8:1-3, Luke 4:16-22a, 1 Thessalonians 5:27, I Timothy 4:13). There is no need to justify the importance of the public reading of scriptures so rather, I’ll focus on the “hows” of effective public scripture readings.

I hope you find the ideas below helpful in improving this very important aspect of the public worship service.)

Here are some ideas for increasing people’s attention to the reading of the Scriptures:

·         When reading scripture publicly, the first obvious pointer is to practice and to do so aloud. Most people have the ability to read silently but as soon as you read aloud you need to learn pronunciation, diction, and projection. Of course, if you are someone who facilitates those that are reading scriptures, this means that you have to make sure the reader receives the scriptures well in advance so that they can rehearse the reading.

·         Know your gifts. If you have not been gifted to read the scriptures aloud with conviction and excellence, this is OK. We all have different callings and giftings. This is the way God has made us.

·         Get to know the context of the scripture. This is not just recitation of the text without considering context. When you live within the words by considering the context, they will naturally come out with greater conviction. After spending time in Ephesus, Athens and other places where the Apostle Paul ministered, I will never read those passages in the same light. You may not be able to visit these sites but at the very least, read a commentary on the scripture to get to know the context. There are many valuable commentaries online or you can pick up a printed copy. It’s a great resource to have at home even when you’re not preparing to read the scriptures aloud. 

·         Consider how the Word applies to your life. My theme verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17 which states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  It’s hard for me to read this scripture without passion as it is so pivotal in my life. I went through some dark years, made terrible mistakes and hurt many people. When I read this scripture I remember that I am “in Christ” and that I am a “new creation” despite the darkness of my past. In the same way, when you apply the scripture reading to your life it will take on a new life as you share it aloud.

·         Look at the text from a distance. That may seem to contradict what I’ve already said. However, if it is an extremely familiar Bible story (Jonah and the fish, David and Goliath), it can become very stale to us. Set yourself on a path of discovery where you look for something new buried in the story that you haven’t seen before. This again is a great place for a good Bible Commentary.

·         Place it on the screen. People are used to the screen as a primary source of receiving current information. While I love to read a physical book, I rarely buy a physical newspaper anymore, opting instead for the computer screen. Projecting the scriptures on the screen certainly has its detractors but most people find it helpful.

·         Encourage the reader to live it for a few days. When an actor prepares for a role they often go into character in order to live in the skin of the character they are presenting. This helps them to project the character with authenticity. In the same way, when you live with the scripture reading for a few days it helps you to identify with the passage. It also helpful to look at a commentary to truly understand the spiritual, cultural and human side to the scripture reading. While these reflections will seldom be shared in the reading, as the reader understands the depth of the scripture, it will be shared with greater clarity and passion. My father was a pastor. He used to read and soak up the assigned scripture readings well in advance and then live them throughout the week prior to preaching. This allowed him to preach the word from “inside out” rather than “outside in.”

·         Train your readers. It’s not a position that simply defaults to the person who is least likely to say no. The Word can be read with such dramatic flair that people will sit on the edge of their seats, waiting for the next sentence.

·         Give a personal comment on why the text has meaning for today, and perhaps special meaning for you personally. Some pastors may be uncomfortable with this so make sure you run this past your pastor in advance.

·         If you are reading a very long passage, consider breaking it down into a couple of sections, interjecting a well-seasoned personal observation before moving on. Again, as before, run this past your pastor to make sure that they are comfortable with you doing this.

·         If you make a mistake on a word just keep moving. People will forget that you’ve made an error. If you draw too much attention to your mistake it will detract from the impact of the scripture rather than enhancing it.

·         Be dramatic but not over the top. Don’t over-act. It doesn’t work in the movies and it doesn’t work with scripture reading. You never want to sound like a late-night infomercial.

·         Pause. Really. By pausing ever so slightly after significant phrases you increase the ability of people to absorb the phrases and you also increase dramatic tension. The primary places for pauses are after commas and periods.

·         Slow down. When you speak too quickly you appear nervous, even if you aren’t.

·         Breathe. Take a couple of deep breaths before you speak. This will calm you and will loosen your voice.

·         Don’t let your voice drop off. Many people start strong and then begin to trail off in volume and projection. Start strong and finish strong.

·         If you are a regular reader in your church, practice by reading a little bit of scripture each day aloud. This way it becomes second nature and more confortable to you. You also become more comfortable with the sound of your voice, learn to speak clearly, with good emphasis and diction.

·         Do some voice exercises. You don’t need to prepare like the late Luciano Pavarotti. However, yawning, performing tongue rolls (brrrrrr), lip buzzes, and the famous ambulance exercise (singing ahhh from your lowest note to your highest note and down again, repeating several times) will always help.

·         Use proper microphone technique. (see the section on announcements in a prior blog – click here) 

·         Try reading the scriptures in another version or paraphrase such as The Message.

Now, we’re ready for some tips on the sermon. I’ll have a few personal tips in the next blog and then I’ve asked a very special guest to give some great pointers. You don’t want to miss these.

For more worship training, take in the Break Forth Canada 2011 Intensive Learning Workshop featuring veterans, Paul Baloche and Brian Doerksen. For more information click here.

Also, take in the Integrity Night of Worship Concert at Break Forth Canada 2011 featuring Paul Baloche, Brian Doerksen, Jared Anderson, Desperation Band, Don Poythress and Joel Auge. For more information click here.

The 'Guided/Interview Testimony' in a worship service. Part 2

Now, we turn our attention to the Guided/Interview Testimony format from the interviewee perspective. Be sure to read last week's part 1 for the complete picture. 

There are some fun road stories at the bottom of this blog entry. I hope they bring a smile to your face.

Tips for the Interviewee:

·        Let the interviewer have control. Ultimately, they are the one who is in charge of the time and direction. By letting them lead you take a great deal of pressure off of yourself to watch the time and edit the content.

·        Be you. Just as I wrote above, you want to reflect your own personality, not someone you think you should be.

·        Be cautious of talking too much. Don’t be afraid of pauses. Remember, if there are some spaces it is the interviewer’s job to fill them in. If you take too much time answering every question you may never get to the most important aspects of your story.

·        Slow-w-w-w down. When you talk quickly you sound nervous and out of control. Pause to allow people to reflect and absorb your point. By talking more slowly you actually reflect more confidence and power.

·        Ask for potential questions in advance so that you can prepare.

·        Always prepare. Think about what you would like to say. Boil it down to three or 4 of the most important points. Remember that you’re telling a story. Read my prior blog entry here to gain some valuable pointers on how this is done more effectively.

·        Speak to the interviewer, not the room. This will have a couple of benefits. First of all, it will help you to calm your nerves. Secondly, you’ll sound and appear more natural.

·        Be prepared. Have your little cheat bullet points on your 3 X 5 card as your security blanket (but don’t refer to them unless you are absolutely stuck), be on time, be ready for the microphone, and come to the platform when called upon.

·        Rehearse if needed. Have a friendly person ask you the sample questions and answer them like you would in the worship service.

·        Don’t over prepare so that you come across like a cardboard character.

·        If the interviewer asks a complex multi-part question, don’t be afraid of breaking it up by asking what the first part of the question was. Then, just answer that one and let the interviewer ask the other parts as separate questions. 

·        Don’t expend your energy trying to act important and clever. Ask yourself, can this be understood by someone in the 8^th grade?

·        Really listen to the question. It’s so easy to become so distracted with your agenda of what you want to communicate that you don’t even hear what’s being asked of you.

·        If you make a mistake just move on. People were probably distracted by the baby crying in the back row of the church anyway.

·        Use descriptive words and phrases such as “I felt like.”

·        Turn off your cell phone. I’ll say it again – turn off your cell phone! It’s not funny anymore.

·        Be careful of body language – tapping your feet, squirming in your chair, jangling your keys. These all distract from the message.

·        Don’t be afraid to pause and take a breath before you answer. (Why do you think so many professionals say words and phrases like “Good question” or “Hmm?” It’s because they’re stalling so that they come up with a clear answer. If the professionals can do it, why can’t you?)

·        Don’t be too hard on yourself (like I am)! You will make mistakes. You’ll tumble headlong over some words. You’ll forget some facts. It’s OK. Remember that God has spoken through animals, plants, wind, waves, thunder and more. If that’s the case then God can certainly speak through you because you are created in the image of God. Down through the years, some of the most seemingly fruitless concerts and messages have reaped the greatest long-term ministry results.  You prepare and present. There is not a single human being who has ever brought about lasting change in someone; that’s the Holy Spirit’s task. And last time I checked, you weren’t the Holy Spirit!

The year was 1977 and friends and I were on our first North American tour. We had never been on a major radio show. We were brought into a massive radio station with extensive coverage in Chicago. Our palms were sweaty and our mouths were dry. We thought the radio announcer was simply going to ask us about the concert in town that night. Just before we went on the air, he stared us down with narrow, beady eyes and said, “Now, we’re live to half a million people right now!” He pressed the on-air button and our minds went completely blank with sheer terror. Then, instead of asking us about the concert he caught us off guard and began to tear into us about Christian rock music and how many felt it was improper in the church. With those same beady eyes and lashing tongue he barked at us to give an answer and to justify ourselves. I looked at my friend. My friend looked at me. The airwaves were dead silent.  The quiet was deafening. He continued to stare us down as we grew smaller and smaller. We finally mumbled completely incoherent answers and sank back into our seats, utterly humiliated before half a million people. That was my first major radio interview. What a spectacular beginning! Over 30 years later I can look back and smile. We survived.

Not too many months later I was doing a TV broadcast. The television producer told me that the show was being taped for later broadcast. The interview went fine but then it was time for the music section. I began to sing one of my songs when my mind went completely blank again – as blank as it was in that Chicago radio station. Even though I had written the song and had sung it all over the continent, every single one of the lyrics left my 22-year old brain. Gone! Nada! Vamos!  Elvis had left the building and he wasn’t about the return. I started to make lyrics up as I went. They were the strangest stream of consciousness, semi-rhyming drivel that had ever come out of my mouth – especially on a television show. (Truth be told, some Scientologist would probably have appreciated the bizarre images that were being painted.) In my mind I was thinking, “Why don’t I just stop this here? After all, it’s being taped for later broadcast. I’m sure they can start again. I’m just going to throw my hands in the air, tell them I’m an idiot and tell them I’m going to start again. If they didn’t like it, they’d get over it.” Fortunately and mysteriously, I just pushed through singing completely incoherent lyrics right to the bitter end, hoping and praying that somehow I got away with it. As soon as the show was done, the phones at the TV station started to ring. The TV producer came running into the studio saying, “People are calling and they said that they really enjoyed your music.”  I was ashen faced. My stomach started churning like a hotdog-filled 12-year old on Space Mountain. My life flashed before my eyes when I thought that I had just about made a major male prima dona scene on television.  With saucer-sized eyes I said, “I thought you said this was being taped for later broadcast.”  “Oh yes, the producer replied, “but we also broadcast live over hundreds of miles and several cities during the taping. The tape is just for re-runs.” I survived singing about the cosmos. I probably even rhymed the word orange. It’s 30 years later and I can smile. I survived. You will too. Share your testimony. You’ll do fine.

Our next blog entry will be on scripture reading.  There will be some great pointers to bring your public scripture reading alive.

The Guided / Interview Testimony in Church - Part 1

Mention the idea of a testimony in church and many pastors and church leaders shudder (at least inwardly). They sometimes think back to testimony horror stories from the platform where dreadful theology or long meandering homilies overtook the worship service. Often, this was by a well-meaning layperson so nervous that they couldn’t think clearly. 

Truth be told, we’ve all inflicted weak testimonies on people whether it’s from the platform or one on one with our neighbours.

The challenges of the open-ended testimony are one of the reasons why so many churches are going to the “guided” or “interview” format. It’s not a foreign concept to anyone; we’ve all seen this format on television more times than we can count.

By leading the testimony in this interview format you break the testimony into bite sized pieces, you relieve some of the fear of the witness and you have an opportunity to guide it as far as length and theological integrity is concerned.

In order to help us all in this area, here are a few tips for both the interviewer and the interviewee.

Tips for the Interviewer:

·        Choose the appropriate posture for what you are trying to communicate: standing communicates power, sitting communicates informality. Neither is wrong in the right setting. If you are going to sit, choose a tall bar stool, not a chair. Also consider that sitting may be more comfortable for the nervous interviewee no matter what the communications ideal may be. (a standing interviewee who ends up on the floor gasping for breath is not exactly the best form of communication)

·        If possible, meet with the interviewee before the service. Walk through the general flow and some of the questions. This can often help them to gather their thoughts and to calm their nerves.

·        Try to avoid giving an exact script of the exact questions in the exact order you’ll be asking. Instead, in order to create a greater sense of spontaneity give a number of questions you may ask so they can prepare.  Then, choose from these possible questions as you go to create a sense of immediacy, personalization to the moment and flow.

·        Remember that your interview is telling a story. For more help on telling a story well, read the prior blog entry here.

·        Prepare and research in advance. Know your interviewee and the subject. This will help you to draw out important parts of the story that they may forget on the platform.

·        Introduce the interviewee from the platform. Tell a little about them but don’t give the story away. You want to entice people to listen.

·        Be you. You’re not Larry King. You’re not Jay Leno. You’re you. Don’t change your personality into some late night infomercial host. Be you.

·        Be energetic.  You may need to be the one who carries the energy in the conversation. 

·        Shut your mouth. Don’t dominate the conversation. You want to pull the best out of the interviewee. That’s done with great leading questions, great listening, great guidance and great ears!

·        Listen closely. You may be surprised by a phrase or new part of the story that you weren’t familiar with or you feel will be important to key off of. In order to do that you need to listen for these key phrases.

·        Remember that you’re in control. The interviewee has great things to say but you need to be aware of the time and the direction of the conversation.

·        Remember to focus in on one theme. The tendency will be to run down rabbit trails. Remember to bring the point home.

·        Respect the interviewee’s personal space. They may not want to disclose everything they told you in private or that you know. There may be family in the audience; they may be having a difficult day or a myriad of other reasons why they only want to go so far into the story.

·        Don’t ask multi-part questions. Ask one question at a time.

·        Look at them. While you are aware of the congregation, you want to create the sense of people listening in to a privileged conversation between two or more people. The general rule of thumb is when you introduce the interviewee you are introducing them to the congregation, when you are ending the conversation you are thanking them in front of the congregation but aside from a few comments to bring home a point it really is the two of you.

·        Thank them as you are wrapping up. This is an important gift and is not only appropriate; it encourages others to consider an interviewed testimony in the future if you want to go that way.

Stay tuned for my next blog entry on presenting a great Testimony from the interviewee perspective.  

Effective Testimonies in Worship - Part 1

Testimonies:

Testimonies can be a wonderful enhancement to a worship service if done well, provided with excellent guidance, represent a diversity of Christian experiences and remain scripturally strong.

This blog entry on presenting Testimonies in Worship will be in two parts. The first will cover some general pointers regarding general content and delivery. The second entry will provide suggestions on the guided testimony or the interview testimony.

Before we speak about the “How To’s” let’s speak about the “Why To’s” of testimonies:

·        They are usually from lay people who live in the trenches

·        The fact that they are not being compensated for their testimony adds to their credibility

·        They provide a change in voice and perspective from the platform

·        They strengthen the faith of the hearers as they face their own challenges

·        They strengthen the faith of the person giving the testimony

·        Apologetics based on historical or scientific evidence are important but a personal story of transformation is also a powerful apologetic

·        It’s scriptural:

o   “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” – 1 Peter 3:15

o   “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.” – 1 John 1:3

o   Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” – John 4:39

o   “A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”  He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”  Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses!  We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.” – John 9: 24 – 34 

o   Other examples of testimonies can be found in : Galatians 1:11-13, 2:1- 21 / Acts 21:40, 22:1- 21 / Acts 24:10-16, 24:24 / Acts 26

So, if sharing testimonies in church can be such a blessing, why do some churches avoid it? All it takes is a few bad experiences to have the leadership of the church completely shy away from allowing testimonies in the worship service. I understand; I’ve heard many and I’ve certainly given my share of poorly executed testimonies as well.

Here are some tips to more effective testimonies in church:

·        Pray as you are preparing your testimony. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you share with conviction and clarity.

·        Remember that the goal is to give glory to Christ and not yourself. Think of the person presenting a testimony in court as a character witness. While your reliability as the person presenting the testimony must stand the integrity test, you are still not the central figure. Your role is to give a positive character reference for the person on trial. In the same way, while your integrity needs to be above reasonable reproach (we are all sinners), you are testifying for Christ and He is to be the central figure in all you say. 

·        Write out your testimony to ensure accuracy, clarity, presentation, theological exactness and content. 

·        Prepare your testimony as though you are presenting it to one person.  This will add a greater sense of informality and transparency.

·        Watch the time – ask the Pastor in advance how long they would like you to share. Then, cut a couple minutes from that when you practice it prior to presentation.

·        Remember that this is a personal story of God’s work in your life. You are not preaching.

·        Bring your testimony down to one point. You should be able to summarize the entire testimony into a single sentence. This will aid you in achieving clarity and direction. Such as, “Although I wandered in sin and ran far from God, through His love He reached me and He has given me a greater sense of hope than I ever experienced before.” OR “When my son passed away from cancer I felt as though there was no reason to live until I recognized that the God who had also taken my son was the God who had experienced the loss of His own son for me and for my own son.”

·        Determine what the focus of the testimony is. Most testimonies can be categorized into one of three stories:

1.      Those who have grown up in the faith and always remember being held in the grip of God’s grace. To me, this is the most powerful testimony because it speaks to God’s ideal. It is never God’s ideal for us to fall out of fellowship with Him. These are stories that glorify God for His faithfulness. At the same time, they also affirm those in our lives who have walked through the temptations and doubts with us and have mentored and nurtured faith. This affirms parents, Sunday School teachers and others who are doing this day in and day out. There are many Biblical examples of this but Timothy is probably the best known. 2 Timothy 3:10-17 (“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”  – verses 14 &15). Those who don’t know a time where they ever departed from the faith also need a Savior as much as those with the most dramatic testimony. (“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23) God’s grace and sustaining strength can be shared with all humility by the person who has never left the faith.

2.      Those who have experienced a dramatic conversion. Perhaps the most notable is the story of Saul who was converted on the road to Damascus and became the Apostle Paul. While this is the most common type that comes to mind when we think of the word “testimony”, it is filled with both dangers (focusing too much on the fallen life) and blessings (witnessing to the dramatic power of God). It’s important not to depict a life that is free of struggle now that Christ is in your life. Frankly, that’s not truthful. (“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” - Matthew 5:10-12)

3.      Those who have gone through the “valley of the shadow of death” and have been brought through by the grace of God. This can be the loss of a loved one, disillusionment, personal failings, loneliness, fear, lack of purpose, brokenness of relationship, health issues, financial crises and the list is as endless as the results of our human condition is long. When we go through these struggles we are tempted to look into relief other than in Christ (alcohol, drugs, extramarital sex, bitterness, etc.). Sometimes we give in and sometimes we are blessed with the correction of the Spirit of God to throw ourselves into the graceful hand of God. These testimonies are tremendously encouraging to all of us as we all experience times of struggle in our lives. Hearing from someone who has been brought through these struggles often gives us the encouragement we need to trust God that He will bring us through the darkness of despair to the light of hope.

·        Think of your testimony as a well-written story – which it is – because God has written it. As you prepare your testimony consider the elements of a good story. Most good stories have three primary acts:

1.      The Beginning:  You introduce people to the setting, the characters, and the condition. The condition involves conflict. The conflict forces the “fork in the road” where choices are made. A strong beginning draws people into the story as they identify with the three ‘Ps’: People, Place and the Pressure.

2.      The Middle: This is where the tension is fully developed. The story progresses and the tension grows. At this point, the audience is yearning for a sense of resolution. When well developed, they are on the edge of their seat (this is when you eat the most popcorn in the movie theatre). There is a pivotal crises at this time. Fortunately, there is always a sense of resolution in the Christian faith (even though complete resolution only takes place in eternity).

3.      The End: The tension is released as there is a sense of resolution. This is usually the shortest act in a play or movie. Once resolution is reached the audience has only limited interest in the remainder of the story. This is a good signal to wrap up the story (testimony) and turn the platform back to the Pastor.

·        Clearly articulate the changes that Christ has brought about in your life

·        Share how the changes have affected those around you

·        When you are wrapping up your testimony, consider a one or two sentence referral to the struggles you faced and how Christ has met your need

·        Share that you are a work in process

·        Once you have written out the testimony in full and have rehearsed it, reduce the content to a few short bullet points on a 3 X 5 card as a reference during your sharing time. Even if you don’t need it, you will have it as a security blanket in the event of a brain bubble

·        Consider recording yourself and then listening back to it until it becomes deeply ingrained in your subconscious. (Smartphones such as Blackberries and iPhones are great for this)

·        Speak clearly

·        If you have a hand held mic, and are uncomfortable with using it, rest it on your chin below your bottom lip. Even though this isn’t perfect mic technique, at least the sound person will be able to get an adequate level from you. When people are nervous or uncomfortable with a microphone, they tend to begin dropping the hand held mic so far as to only pick up a churning stomach. (that’s not a pleasant testimony to hear). Holding it to your chin guards against this.  It can also make your voice sound warmer (something called proximity effect in case you’re interested).

·        Keep your hands out of your pockets, especially if you have coins or keys

·        Only tell one testimony at a time. Perhaps you have experienced a dramatic conversion and since then have experienced many struggles in your life but you don’t need to share them all. There will probably be other times to share the other stories of faith.

·        Tell the most significant stories and illustrations. This will help you to hold your congregation’s attention longer and will keep you off the rabbit trails.

·        Use enticing sentences that lead people on further into the story. These are the “movie trailers” that encourage you to pay attention. A sample of this would be, “I felt I could control the world until I lost my job and wondered if my family would be on the street.”  Wouldn’t that make you want to hear the rest of the story? I’d listen with anticipation to hear the story unfold.

·        Be honest. Never, ever exaggerate or mislead. God’s miracles are wonderful enough without our special “enhancements” of the truth.

·        Don’t glorify the sin or the enemy. We are all enticed by the dark side (just ask Eve) but the point is to glorify God. While it’s important to mention the tension of temptation, this is not your primary focus.

·        Understand that each time you share there are people in the congregation who may not relate to your exact circumstances but they can relate to your emotion. By describing your emotion through “I felt like” statements, you help to pull more people into the core of the experience you are sharing even if they haven’t gone through what you have. For instance, people may not relate to the death of a young child but they do feel the abandonment, despair, loss, grief, anger and all the other emotions that are a part of that experience.

·        Don’t assume that everyone in church is a Christian. Although a full Gospel presentation may not be appropriate for your particular testimony, don’t avoid it by assuming that there is no one who needs to hear about God’s plan of salvation. 

·        Avoid Christian clichés such as sanctification, incarnation, crusade, fear of the Lord, led by the Spirit, profession of faith, unsaved, or altar call. These words are not necessarily wrong in and of themselves when they are understood and are in the proper context but they are often unclear and bring about cultural baggage among those who don’t understand what you’re trying to say.

·        Don’t slander the church, denominations or Christians, even if you had a negative experience in the past. We need to be very cautious about badmouthing the Bride of Christ. 

·        Share positive affirmations and positively motivating words with your audience rather than negativity and threats.

·        Finally, you will make mistakes in sharing your testimony. Just pray, plan, practice and if asked, run your testimony past your Pastor or a church leader to provide input. At the end of the day, God uses imperfect human beings to share the stories of miracles of transformation so vast that no mortal could ever represent this with complete accuracy. As the title of Susan Jeffer’s book states, “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway!” 

Whew – that was a long blog entry. I promise you that the next entry will be short and breezy. Coming up next – the guided testimony or the interviewed testimony.

Take our worship service planning sessions at Break Forth Canada 2011. Click below to watch a video about the largest Worship-Oriented Conference in North America: