Toolbox For Faith

Some sermons and Sunday School lessons stick with people for a lifetime, while others are forgotten almost as the words are spoken. Chip and Dan Heath in their book, “Made to Stick,” explore the reasons why some ideas are sticky and others are not. The book offers a model for how you can make your ideas (read sermons and teaching) more engaging and more memorable. I have tried using a few of their six principles in my writing and speaking and they work. The six principles are known as the SUCCESs model: Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional and Stories. The book is wonderful and their website contains lots of free helpful resources.

I was with a group of pastors the other day who were talking about resources for preaching.  The group listed several commentaries and favorite books, plus websites like: Textweek.com, and WorkingPreacher.org as possible resources. We also discussed the value of pericope study both with colleagues and with congregational members.

Last Thursday however, I was reminded that one of the best resources for improving my preaching is the congregation I serve. I was talking with one of my senior adult members who said with a gentle, coaching spirit, “I finally figured out why I have trouble hearing you when you are preaching. You just go a little too quickly.” I trust her judgement and so this past Sunday, I made an intentional effort to move a little more slowly through my sermon. The pauses seemed a little long and unnatural to me, but I tried it and the results were dramatic. After the service, three different senior adults made a point of telling me that they heard every word I said. Just to me sure I wasn’t going too slowly, I asked a few younger folks about the pacing and they said it was fine. The change in pace was relatively simple, but without the coaching of my congregation I would never have known that I needed to make the change.