“And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Mark 13:37)
That verse is the theme verse of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ “Watchtower” magazine. (I have a lot of disagreements with the J.W. theology, but I do admit to having read snippets out of the “Watchtower” from time to time.) Today, I’m not applying the verse in any way to the Jehovah’s Witnesses nor am I applying it to “end time theology” (although that IS the context of the verse). Instead, I’m thinking of BODY LANGUAGE.
I don’t think I ever heard of “body language” until I took psychology courses in college. There I learned that no matter what you’re SAYING, it you are LOOKING or ACTING in a manner contrary to what you’re saying, the VISUAL is the message that really comes across. We public speakers know all about body language, and that’s what sparked this entry. There is nothing worse than speaking to a group while that group is giving you awful body language!
I know. You may be thinking, “Well, you MUST be a really boring speaker.” I’m not. If you don’t believe me, contact me and I’ll send you a tape of my speaking, or better yet, come and visit the church if you’re in the Framingham area. Now, I’m a lousy businessman. I’m a mediocre manager. I tend to struggle as a “leader”. But I’m a very good public speaker.
I want to be careful how I’m writing this! Admittedly, just a few sentences ago, I wrote about a “group...giving you awful body language.” In fact, at least 50% of my church congregation is always giving me GREAT body language....smiling, laughing, concentrating, and (in our Pentecostal circles) occasionally shouting “Amen!”. That’s also true wherever I speak. But you don’t tend to notice the 50-75% who are giving you GOOD body language. For some reason, you tend to notice the 25% or more who AREN’T. This past Sunday, I told a story in my sermon’s introduction. Immediately, a man dramatically (and in a negative manner) leaped to his feet and stormed up the stairs. It was horrible. My concentration was TOTALLY thrown off! I could hear myself trying to formulate phrases that made sense, but I was struggling not to “talk ragtime”! About halfway through the sermon, a woman dramatically packed up her Bible and her things, obviously giving the message she was through and could not wait to leave. The man who had earlier stormed out came back, but he apparently had restless leg syndrome! His leg was shaking and moving so fast I thought he was about to take off for the moon! We have a 14,000 B.T.U. air conditioner running in our small sanctuary as well as a fan, so it wasn’t THAT hot, but a woman sat rapidly fanning herself with a Japanese style fan. Truthfully, if this had been a 5th grade class, I would have taken the fan way from her until after school! We used to have a guy in the congregation who was good for at least two rude, gaping yawns per sermon. And, arms folded in a defiant posture is another of the worst expressions of body language.
Several weeks ago, my wife prepared and delivered a sermon for the first time. Mary Ann HAS ministered to children for many years and to women’s groups for the past couple of years, but she had never given a sermon to a Sunday morning congregation. She found that preparing and delivering the sermon is MUCH harder than it looks. She did a very good job, but I was actually glad she found it to be rather difficult. I think if everybody had to deliver a Sunday sermon, they might think twice about the body language stuff.
I know the Bible speaks against becoming addicted to foods, but a good strong cup of CAFFEINATED coffee, tea, or cola will do wonders to keep you awake in a service if you think you might be inclined to drift off. Take advantage of that early morning coffee time if your church has one. If not, take advantage of Dunkin’ Donuts! Even if you're kind of bored, fake it. Out in Springfield, Missouri a friend of mine does not care for the pastor’s preaching. My friend reads books during the sermons! I find most of that pastor’s sermons boring, but I’d never read a book during the sermon! I admit I’ve counted how many light fixtures there were or tried to “guesstimate” the seating capacity of the church, but I’ve also tried to focus on at least ONE point the guy made so I could feel like I gave him some attention, and I went out of my way to not look bored!
I know. Maybe the people who acted inappropriately during my sermon will read this and be offended. I’m really not mad at them. I know they’ve probably just never thought about it. Why didn’t I confront them directly about this? Well, because I’m “chicken” of course! But whether you’re a part of my congregation or not, IN LIFE if you’ll remember to be careful about that “body language” thing, I think it will be to your benefit!
That verse is the theme verse of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ “Watchtower” magazine. (I have a lot of disagreements with the J.W. theology, but I do admit to having read snippets out of the “Watchtower” from time to time.) Today, I’m not applying the verse in any way to the Jehovah’s Witnesses nor am I applying it to “end time theology” (although that IS the context of the verse). Instead, I’m thinking of BODY LANGUAGE.
I don’t think I ever heard of “body language” until I took psychology courses in college. There I learned that no matter what you’re SAYING, it you are LOOKING or ACTING in a manner contrary to what you’re saying, the VISUAL is the message that really comes across. We public speakers know all about body language, and that’s what sparked this entry. There is nothing worse than speaking to a group while that group is giving you awful body language!
I know. You may be thinking, “Well, you MUST be a really boring speaker.” I’m not. If you don’t believe me, contact me and I’ll send you a tape of my speaking, or better yet, come and visit the church if you’re in the Framingham area. Now, I’m a lousy businessman. I’m a mediocre manager. I tend to struggle as a “leader”. But I’m a very good public speaker.
I want to be careful how I’m writing this! Admittedly, just a few sentences ago, I wrote about a “group...giving you awful body language.” In fact, at least 50% of my church congregation is always giving me GREAT body language....smiling, laughing, concentrating, and (in our Pentecostal circles) occasionally shouting “Amen!”. That’s also true wherever I speak. But you don’t tend to notice the 50-75% who are giving you GOOD body language. For some reason, you tend to notice the 25% or more who AREN’T. This past Sunday, I told a story in my sermon’s introduction. Immediately, a man dramatically (and in a negative manner) leaped to his feet and stormed up the stairs. It was horrible. My concentration was TOTALLY thrown off! I could hear myself trying to formulate phrases that made sense, but I was struggling not to “talk ragtime”! About halfway through the sermon, a woman dramatically packed up her Bible and her things, obviously giving the message she was through and could not wait to leave. The man who had earlier stormed out came back, but he apparently had restless leg syndrome! His leg was shaking and moving so fast I thought he was about to take off for the moon! We have a 14,000 B.T.U. air conditioner running in our small sanctuary as well as a fan, so it wasn’t THAT hot, but a woman sat rapidly fanning herself with a Japanese style fan. Truthfully, if this had been a 5th grade class, I would have taken the fan way from her until after school! We used to have a guy in the congregation who was good for at least two rude, gaping yawns per sermon. And, arms folded in a defiant posture is another of the worst expressions of body language.
Several weeks ago, my wife prepared and delivered a sermon for the first time. Mary Ann HAS ministered to children for many years and to women’s groups for the past couple of years, but she had never given a sermon to a Sunday morning congregation. She found that preparing and delivering the sermon is MUCH harder than it looks. She did a very good job, but I was actually glad she found it to be rather difficult. I think if everybody had to deliver a Sunday sermon, they might think twice about the body language stuff.
I know the Bible speaks against becoming addicted to foods, but a good strong cup of CAFFEINATED coffee, tea, or cola will do wonders to keep you awake in a service if you think you might be inclined to drift off. Take advantage of that early morning coffee time if your church has one. If not, take advantage of Dunkin’ Donuts! Even if you're kind of bored, fake it. Out in Springfield, Missouri a friend of mine does not care for the pastor’s preaching. My friend reads books during the sermons! I find most of that pastor’s sermons boring, but I’d never read a book during the sermon! I admit I’ve counted how many light fixtures there were or tried to “guesstimate” the seating capacity of the church, but I’ve also tried to focus on at least ONE point the guy made so I could feel like I gave him some attention, and I went out of my way to not look bored!
I know. Maybe the people who acted inappropriately during my sermon will read this and be offended. I’m really not mad at them. I know they’ve probably just never thought about it. Why didn’t I confront them directly about this? Well, because I’m “chicken” of course! But whether you’re a part of my congregation or not, IN LIFE if you’ll remember to be careful about that “body language” thing, I think it will be to your benefit!
1 comment:
That is the problem with a small congregation. You get to see all of the faces. Too bad the offenders don't sit in the back rows. Do they ever give you praise for a good message? Of course not.
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