In a recent Simplify the Message & Multiply the Impact preaching workshop, I led the group through this precise conversation. One of the group members offered this insight: “Letting go of my manuscript is like letting go of my ego. Sometimes I feel like the people MUST HEAR all these words I’ve so carefully prepared. But now I realize they don’t have to hear them all.”
So I told her: “THAT’S going in the book!” And our group marveled at the wisdom of letting go of your ego, trusting God’s Spirit, and connecting with God’s people.
Foundational Premise #3: Engage with people, not paper.
I suggest that any paper or memory aid (other than a Bible) robs the pastor of his or her most significant currency of relational capital: eye contact. Even the briefest downward look, the shortest “um” as you try to locate your place in your notes or on your manuscript and you’ve lost the thing you most need, namely, the attention of the people to whom you preach. After all, in the 2020s people do not need much excuse to glance at their mobile devices for something more interesting.
This is why I discourage even a “cheat sheet” for those bold enough to preach without notes. If you’re going to have courage, then by all means, act courageously. Begin your message with heavy eye contact and, with the exception of the times you’re reading Scripture (when you want THEM doing the same thing), continue eye contact throughout the sermon. You are preaching on behalf of God for the blessing of the people, not for the sake of the paper.
Celebrate the joy of discovery.
Make your change constant.
Work ahead.
Noteless delivery.
Do all of that, and we’ll be looking at a generation of healthy preachers.
This article originally appeared here.
