Preaching without Notes
Well, I’ve tried it twice now (this time around – I’ve tried before, at least two other times during my preaching career). Preaching without notes! (sigh) What can I say? I am promised by note-less preachers who teach classes and sell books that it will be the most liberating experience of my ministry, and that I will forge such a deeper connection with my congregation without that silly sermon manuscript getting between us. Well, after two attempts, I can’t say I feel very liberated – mostly frustrated. I have these things I want to say, gifts of sentences God has helped me to write, but I get all mealy-mouthed and stuttery when I try to say them from memory. It just takes such a long time to memorize that many sentences! And, frankly, I’d rather spend that time studying the scripture, talking to members of the congregation, reading good books, keeping up on the news, so that I actually have something worthwhile to say when I stand in the pulpit on Sunday mornings.
Some have commented on these two note-less sermons that I seemed more “down to earth” and like the sermon was more “from the heart.” Maybe it’s true that more of my humanity comes through when I’m sweating and trembling before you trying to remember my sentences, but I’m not so sure that’s what preaching is supposed to be about. It’s not about me – but I sure feel like it’s about me when I’m trying to “preach naked!” One of the most telling things about the class I recently took on this kind of preaching was the comment made by the instructor on how to turn pages, if you must have them. He advised making a large gesture with one hand while turning the page with the other – “then they won’t even notice you have notes.” Hmmm. Is this really what it’s all about? Impressing the congregation? Fooling the congregation? I thought the point was to make a more genuine, heart-felt connection with them.
As for preaching from the heart, I can assure you that there is no other thing in my ministry into which I pour more of my heart than my words to you on Sunday morning. Consider a passionate love letter written by a lover who lives a great distance from his beloved. Would you say it isn’t from the heart, just because it is written down in complete sentences? The sentences I write, the words I choose in preparing a sermon, are chosen with great care and with deep love for God and for you.
One final thing: If you want to hear me ramble on without notes, I would suggest coming to one of the Sunday morning classes I teach. This is usually material that I’ve taught a time or two before and I can go pretty easily without notes in the give-and-take conversation of a class. On the other hand, when I preach a sermon I am taking the congregation with me on the front edge of my own spiritual journey, into the mist of the mystery of our faith, as we discern together where and how the Lord is leading us. With my written sentences, which I do my very best not to “read” but to “speak,” you are getting the best of Mike Hoyt. More than that, I hope, with a written sermon manuscript, Mike Hoyt is better able to get out of the way so the proclamation of the Word is more about a conversation between you and God. That’s what my heart tells me a sermon is really all about!
Ah…The main reason we felt we could make Glenshaw our home church was because there were thoughtful, scholarly, consistently well-crafted sermons happening there……I don’t see how you can be reflective, complex or scholarly if you’re uncomfortable. I always thought we WERE getting a real, approachable, sincere Mike Hoyt and have always felt it a transparently explorative experience to hear you share in your own way. “I like you just the way you are!”
Thanks for the kind and affirming words, Kris. I doubt I’ll ever completely forsake a sermon manuscript. I should be fair, though, and say that the methods for “internalizing” the sermon do have the potential to help me with my delivery. It’s just that some things need to be said more carefully than ‘just how they come out.’
The AST met this evening. One of the things that came up was the possibility of having your sermons recorded and available on the GPC website. I am hoping this comes to pass. There have been times when I have listened to the sermon at early service and again at the later because the message was something I needed/wanted to hear again. I agree with Kris. I like you just the way you are. Notes, no notes was not something I ever thought about.
Joyce – Mike’s sermons and the entire 11:00 am service is recorded for use by the Deacons to homebound GPC members. Unfortunately, I don’t think those can be used for website loading because they aren’t digitized. But, if you want to hear something for a 3rd time, tapes are available from the Deacons.
P.S. Mike — Explore with or without notes — 9/10 times I take home something from your sermons for my personal use. Don’t sweat the 1/10 time — you’re not perfect, after all!