6. Show no emotion
This may sound crazy, but hear me out…
Your emotional expression is important. Feel something when you preach.
After all…
God created human beings with emotion. If your sermon displays a lack of emotion where it would be natural to show emotion, people will see you as disingenuous or disengaged.
Don’t just tell them about joy in Christ. Show them.
7. Keep your pace the same
Don’t ever pause. Don’t ever slow down. Don’t ever speed up. Just keep that pace the same. Nice and consistent. Cruise control is great…
In a car.
Not in the pulpit.
The power of the pause can’t be overstated if…
It’s placed in the right spot.
Again, variance. It engages.
8. Assume people know the Bible
We all know the story of Ehud…
Once you’ve said that, many in the room have packed up and checked out of their mental room. They don’t know Ehud nor do they know much of any other accounts from Scripture. And since they didn’t get an explanation, they’re wandering.
Assume people know the Bible and you’ll leave most of them at the train station while the train is picking up steam. They won’t even know how to get on.
9. Use colossal, gargantuan terminology
It’s better to use big words than it is to make sure people understand what you’re saying. At least they’ll walk away knowing a few words to look up on Google. Old English is preferable to Modern English. Thou shall be impressiveth to thee congregants.
*Insert sarcasm disclaimer.*
Big words might have been fun in Seminary, but if you want your sermons to connect with your congregation, it’s best they understand what it is that you’re saying.
Can you hear me now? Good.
10. Crash the landing
A plane in the air is only going to have future value if it lands properly. Think through your landing.
If there were a computer program to illustrate the path of a sermon, I’m afraid we’d see lots of nose dives at the end. Let’s not do that.
Turbulence is scary. Nose-diving and crashing is even scarier.
Plan the landing and stick it.
This article originally appeared here.
