June 2008 Sermon Tip -- Your Stage Presence

It is important that you stay aware of your listeners and keep them involved. The most effective way to keep their interest and to keep them involved is to use interesting, lively SOS’s (See “Crafting an Outstanding Sermon,” Part 3). In addition, you can:

• Be observant and responsive. Are people falling asleep, do they look bored, are they shivering or fanning themselves, are they reading the newspaper, do they have puzzled looks on their faces? Whenever feasible, adjust. Ask that the room be made cooler, clarify a point, heighten the level of excitement in your voice.

• Hit Their “Hot Buttons” – Use an illustration/example that really excites them.

• Ask Direct Questions/Elicit Participation – But, if you want listener response, you must set the stage early. Getting direct involvement is more difficult the larger the group.

• Give the Listeners an Activity.

• Cite Quotes, Historical References, etc., from people whom you believe the listeners hold in high esteem.

• Personalize Your Presentation – Use the pronoun “you” a lot. Talk about “we.” Discuss your experience with the issue. It bridges the gap between the podium and the seats.

• Physically Invade Their Territory - Come away from the podium.

• Make Eye Contact:

• Eye contact is critical for building rapport. Making eye contact with as many people as you can sends the message that you are glad to be there and are truly interested in the audience.

• Before beginning to speak, let your eyes sweep the room; look from one side to another, front to back. This will make you appear relaxed and comfortable (even if you don’t feel it) and will begin the rapport building. In addition, it gives the listeners the time to “take you in” and to get ready to listen.

• Commit your introduction to memory so you can maintain eye contact while delivering it.

• Divide the room into quadrants and make sure you make eye contact with someone in each quadrant every few minutes. Don’t look over their heads.

• Hold your eye contact for 3-5 seconds, but no more. Any less makes you appear shifty; any longer and people begin to feel uncomfortable as if they are being singled out.

• Find a few friendly faces to look at, but don’t look at them exclusively. Don’t disregard the stern looking person – she may just be thinking deeply about your words.

Archived Sermon Tip
May 2008

Archived Sermon Tip
March/April 2008

Archived Sermon Tip
February 2008

Archived Sermon Tip
January 2008

Archived Sermon Tip
December 2007

Archived Sermon Tip
November 2007

Archived Sermon Tip
October 2007