We all use gestures when we preach. Some are negative, and distract. Others are creative gestures which enhance communication.
A. Areas for gesturing
1. horizontal plane
a. center
(1) when applying truth directly
(2) when emphasizing present application
b. left or right
(1) when applying indirect ideas
(2) when presenting two different groups
(3) when referring to a negative issue
2. Vertical place
a. upper vertical
(1) lofty ideas, people, places
(2) God, heaven, holiness etc
b. middle area
(1) reference to people
(2) life in general
c. lower vertical
(1) baser ideas
(2) sin, evil, corruption
B. Hands
1. negative:
a. neutral hand gesture like hacking or chopping
b. hands in pockets
c. hands gripping pulpit
d. restless fidgeting
2. positive
a. “Satan wants to seize you by the soul”
b. “Jesus can break the chains that bind you!”
c. “You can have peace in the midst of the storms of life.”
d. “Wherever you go, Jesus will be with you.”
e. “We are living in the final moments of earth’s history.”
f. “Jesus is the Light of the World.”
g. “You are the light of the world.”
A. Negative
1. avoid a frozen face
2. avoid incongruent facial expressions
a. remember, people will believe your body language more than your words if the two contradict each other
B. Positive
1. learn to let your facial expressions mirror your words. Let’s take a moment to make faces at each other
a. excitement
b. surprise
c. fear
d. anxiety
2. focus on naturalness and variety
a. “Jesus loves you so much that he died for you.”
b. “The demoniac snarled, “What have you to do with us, Holy One of God!”
c. “Lord, don’t you care that we perish.”
A. negative
1. looking mainly at your notes with a few token bobs – who are you trying to communicate with, your notes or your listeners?
2. shifting eyes too rapidly from one listener to another
3. staring at people
4. gazing over the heads of the people
B. positive
1. maintain eye contact long enough to establish connection
2. look at people in all parts of the audience
3. keep eye contact when you are sharing personal illustrations and making direct appeals
IV. Initial visual impressions
A. General Appearance
1. Personal grooming
a. neat hairstyle
b. clean shaven or well-groomed facial hair
c. use of soap and deodorant etc
2. Clothing
a. Neat
b. Clean
c. Well-fitting
(1) not two sizes too small!
d. coordinated
e. appropriate to the setting
(1) audience
(2) occasion
B. Posture
1. When sitting
a. sit upright, not slouching
b. sit with legs togther
(1) as a general rule, do not cross legs
(2) if done, cross in X rather than figure 4
2. When standing
a. stand upright
b. be natural, not rigid or stiff
c. feet should be approximately in line with your shoulders
(1) not together
(2) not unduly spread apart (Elvis Presley)
d. avoid unnecessary motion
(a) swaying
(b) fidgeting
3. When walking
a. move smoothly at a natural pace
b. this conveys a sense of confidence
V. Practical concerns
A. Minimize the pulpit barrier
1. if possible, get a clear plexiglass pulpit
2. move away from the pulpit as much as possible
B. Use the microphone effectively
1. position a fixed microphone effectively – get it out of your face
2. where possible, get a lapel microphone that permits free movement
C. Use Multi-media as an aid, not a crutch
1. overheads, slides, videos, power point
2. if used well, can enhance communication
3. if used poorly, can become noise.
D. Use objects for illustration
1. used more frequently in children’s sermons
2. an illustration is even more powerful when it can be seen, heard, touched etc