I typically use my Sunday blog post to share my sermon. Since I am not preaching today, I offer instead a comparison of two popular speech acts: TEDx talks and sermons. The basis for such an analysis comes from Nicholas McDonald’s, a M.Div. student at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, recent blog post on the topic. More specifically I have chosen to create a chart with columns for the characteristics McDonald suggests are common among TEDx speakers but uncommon among preachers, whether I feel the characteristic is appropriate for preachers, and whether or not my own preaching typically is consistent with the characteristic.
|
TEDx Speakers Usually Do & Preachers Usually Don’t |
Is the TEDx Norm Appropriate for Preachers to Consider? |
Does my Preaching Normally Match the Characteristic? |
|
present one great idea |
yes |
yes |
|
set a time limit |
yes |
yes |
|
collaborate |
yes |
yes |
|
put time into visuals |
depends |
no |
|
practice |
yes |
yes |
|
stray away from notes |
yes |
yes |
|
avoid industry jargon |
yes |
yes |
|
draw people into caring |
yes |
yes |
|
show how it makes a difference |
yes |
yes |
|
keep structure clear but invisible |
yes |
yes |
|
stay planted |
yes |
no |
|
respectfully address arguments |
Yes |
sometimes |
So What?
As I worked through McDonald’s list I began to wonder if he has heard far more TEDx speakers than preachers. In my own experience not only do I meet the vast majority of the characteristics in most sermons, I also find that the colleagues with whom I have served also meet the vast majority. In general, good public speaking is good public speaking whether the topic is religious or not.
As for my yes, no and sometimes replies:
- A yes means I typically do so. A yes does not, however, mean I always do so.
- A no means I typically don’t do so. A no odes not mean I never do so.
- A sometimes means that this is a regular part of my practice, but not clearly present in either a majority or minority of my sermons.
I don’t put time into visuals because visuals are not a part of the sermon experience in either congregation I serve nor is either sanctuary well suited for the inclusion of such. I do believe that visuals can be a powerful part of a sermon, and that engaging multiple senses can be a powerful part of any public presentation.
I wonder if your own experience matches mine or is closer to that of McDonald when it comes to the overlap between good TEDx speakers and good preachers. Please share your thoughts.