Repetitive Idiosyncrasies That Drive
Our Congregations Nuts . . . And
How To Avoid Them
By Danny Von Kanel
You’ve heard it too -- the exasperated church member who hurries
out of worship bemoaning the pastor’s mannerisms. Brushing past,
you can’t help but overhear his critical comments: “I like
my pastor’s messages but if he doesn’t quit repeating __________
it’s going to drive me crazy.” You fill in the blank. Or let
me suggest how to keep some of these quirks out of our sermons. They
come in two forms: spoken and unspoken.
Spoken Idiosyncrasies
Ý “Hello?”
John fell prey to using this oddity. It was as if we weren’t listening
and he had to get our attention. We could take it once, but repetition
every few lines of the sermon became baffling. What made it worse was
John’s leaning forward toward the congregation and cupping his
ear. Sometimes he would say, “Hello?” and then add, “Is
anybody listening?” Of course we were listening. John’s asking
time and time again was not going to get us to listen. If anything,
it caused us to tune him out.
Ý “Now Listen To Me”
Pastors don’t realize how many times they’ve said this one
until someone finally gets the nerve to tell them. Some have abbreviated
it to, “Now listen”. Either way the words can become condescending.
Other spoken irritants include constant throat clearing, series of “uh’s”
or “um’s”, incessant personal “amens”, and
a bunch of “you get its”. All can lead to deterring listeners
from hearing the message.
So, how do we remove these peculiarities from our speech?
1. Make a commitment to identify any spoken idiosyncrasies.
2. Once identified, write out sermons word for word and place the abnormal
word usage where you would most likely speak it. Highlight the idiosyncrasies
in red in your manuscript to signal them as words and phrases to avoid.
3. Practice your message while observing the red highlights. Go through
as many times as it takes until you form a new habit.
Unspoken
Spoken quirks are not the only irritant in sermons. Some are purely
visual and just as distracting.
Ý Roaming the stage
Bill couldn’t stay behind the pulpit. His constant movement from
left to right, right to left, made us dizzy. My neck was sore after
each service. Week after week of this platform maneuvering proved annoying
to many. Some movement is good. Continual motion is totally unnerving.
Ý Taking glasses on and off
At first glance this may not seem to be odd or distracting. And it isn’t
if timed to signify a serious point in the message. The oddity comes
when a constant removal and replacing of eyewear takes place.
Ý Poor grooming
Nothing distracts a congregation like a minister who enters the pulpit
haphazardly ordered. Some folks can’t get past a shirttail hanging
loose, a stained suit, or a fly unzipped. Weekly entrances by the shepherd
with such ill regard for appearance plays havoc with the congregation’s
perception of leadership. If poor grooming continues, the best of sermons
will go unheard and unheeded.
We can remove unspoken quirks to a positive delivery and reception by:
1. Making a commitment to eliminate any unspoken idiosyncrasies.
2. Choreographing stage movements. Write in your outline when and where
you will move. Plan to stay within the confines of the pulpit most of
the time. Do this for four weeks or until you can do so without written
reminders.
3. Determining to leave glasses on. If you want to take them off once
for effect do so but be intentional about it.
4. Always check yourself before entering the sanctuary. Tuck, straighten,
and zip. Clean suits and ties regularly. You might even enlist someone
to help you double check appearance issues.
Did I fill in the blank with all the possible answers? Not hardly. The
intent is to get you to thinking about some spoken and unspoken idiosyncrasies
-- not all. A simple video taping of one of your messages will probably
reveal others. Hopefully, it will stir you to look at your own peculiarities
in the pulpit -- resolving to eliminate any hindrances to hearing God’s
Word.
Danny Von Kanel serves as a staff pastor in Liberty, MIssissippi
On-Line Preaching Tools
1. My Um Um Annoying Pulpit Mannerisms And How I Overcame Them - By
Kenneth Quick
www.christianitytoday.com/le/714/714049.html
2. Preach With Freshness - By Bruce Mawhinney
http//:liveit.crosswalk.com/ministry/mnst20001019.html
3. What Do You Do During The Sermon - By John S. McClure
http://spiritual.crosswalk.com/guests
