Effective Sermon Notes

Beginning ministers are especially wise to write out their presentations initially, no matter how they plan to deliver them. As they become more experienced, they can take more liberty. Writing obliges us to study, to think straight, to avoid old clichés and to stay on purpose. Francis Bacon was correct when he wrote, “Writing makes an exact man.”

Once the sermon is prepared, however, the question is: What type of reminder devices are most effective for your delivery?

Or, more precisely . . . .

To Read, To Memorize, To Speak Extemporaneously, To Use Notes – That is the Question!

To Read …. NO

To Memorize …. NO

To Speak Extemporaneously – or to Appear to Speak Extemporaneously Using Key Word Notes …. YES with these words of counsel:

• Have the introduction, conclusion and significant transitions really engrained so that you can deliver them without needing to refer to your notes.

• Prepare and organize your notes so that they appear logical and easy to follow at a quick glance:

• Be sure the writing or type is large enough that you can read it.
• Use as few cards or pages as possible. The less you have to manipulate, the better.
• Number your cards/pages – just in case you drop them.
• If your notes are on paper, leave a 3-inch or so bottom margin. That way your head will stay erect and your eyes will never fully drop as you glance at your notes.
• Use one side only, so you don’t have to turn over a card or a page. Otherwise, under the pressure of the moment, you may turn the card over … and then turn it over again.
• Don’t fold your notes. They never will lay flat again.
• To make your notes as unobtrusive as possible while you are speaking, slide the pages/cards to the side as you finish using them rather than stacking them under the unused pages/cards or turning them over as you would a book page.
  

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