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Speech Coaching

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by Ruiz, Jun 3, 2011.

  1. Ruiz

    Ruiz New Member

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    I am curious if any of those in ministry has ever sought the help of a speech coach or an organization to improve your public communication skills outside of formal academic studies (ex. seminary, Bible College, College). Have you ever considered such help?

    In some professional environments, this seems to be more common to get speech coaching or utilize organizations specializing in improving your skills. Yet, I have found few pastors who have engaged in these ventures. I know Mark Dever has a group of people who critique his sermons every Sunday. Does anyone else do this?

    Is this a need in the Pastoral Ministry?
     
  2. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    Preachers do need this. Those of us who proclaim God's Word should be even more devoted to the craft of preaching/speaking than anyone else, because what we handle is more important than anything else.

    I regularly "post-game" my sermons. It's a must.
     
  3. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

    And the LORD said unto him, Thou must takest thyself to an speech coach. For the LORD thy God shall improve your speech with the help of an speech coach.
     
  4. Ruiz

    Ruiz New Member

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    Matt,

    He does not say go to a speech coach, however He does not say to go to Bible College either. Nor does he say that we should have a church treasurer who pays the bills.

    The Lord does want us to consult wise people for advise. A speech coach would just help the person better communicate.

    As well, I am not saying this is a must, but it could help.
     
  5. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    I guess I need a 'sign language coach' then!

    Seriously speaking, however- there is a deaf man here in my church who is an ASL professor at a college here in town. He had this terrible habit of correcting my signs while I was preaching- the equivalent of speaking up and correcting a hearing pastor if he should use bad grammar or use the wrong word. It was very distracting for me since he would sit in the back of our small meeting place and wave at me to try to get my attention and tell me what I was doing wrong. The problem was compounded by the fact that I am fluent in three different Sign Languages and once in a while I will get mixed up and use the wrong sign- plus he is convinced that HIS way is the ONLY correct way.

    I finally convinced him that it was better for him to write down all of my errors and discuss them with me after the sermon. He never has done that but at least he has stopped correcting me during the sermon.
     
  6. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Actually the Lord did give Moses a speech coach - his brother Aaron!
     
  7. Jkdbuck76

    Jkdbuck76 Well-Known Member
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    The points go to Salty on this one.

    I also Monday morning quarterback my sermons since I am capable of brutal, honest self-analysis.

    This Sunday evening, I'm preaching on The Good Samaritan. Prayers please. And I shall record it.
     
  8. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    I meet regularly with a group of pastors, elders, and seminary professors where we hold one another accountable. Roughly every five weeks or so, it's my turn to sit in the hot seat, where everything I've said or taught or preached during that time is gone over with a fine toothed comb. Even though it's centered around doctrinal-type things, we do critique delivery.

    The last critique I got in that regard was "Stop saying '...but that's another story. If it's another story, then save it for another sermon.'"
     
  9. Ruiz

    Ruiz New Member

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    If my memory serves me correct, there used to be a "Whitfield Society" that did exactly what you guys are doing. I think this is a great practice. Keep it up.
     
  10. Jkdbuck76

    Jkdbuck76 Well-Known Member
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    This is why I'm VERY forgiving when it comes to delivery. A guy may be very godly and very knowledgeable in the Word, but he is a horrible speaker. I can tolerate the bad speaking skills as long as I'm getting meat. I wonder how many good bible teachers have been kicked to the curb over this?

    We have one preacher in our association that screams ALL THE TIME. Not just Sunday morning brimstone....but Sunday evening brimstone and even Wednesday night Bible Study there is brimstone and h3llfire. And people complain about him....but you know what? He is sharp as a whip and can teach God's Word and people have been saved under his ministry.

    I wonder if he screams at a funeral service? I hope not.
     
  11. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    Speech Teacher and Rhetorician's Reply

    Hello to all:

    Get back to me if you want the old "Rhetorician's" reponse. I will be glad to tell you more than I know on the subject from someone who has taught Speech for fourteen years on the college level.

    "That is all!" :thumbs:
     
  12. Jkdbuck76

    Jkdbuck76 Well-Known Member
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    Do it. Tell us what you think.
     
  13. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    Ruiz Reponse

    Hello Dear Bro Ruiz,

    How in the world are you any way.

    May I ask, "What made you ask the question" in the first place?

    Please advise when possible. I am reponding b/c a brother asked me to follow up and here I am.

    "That is all!" :applause:
     
  14. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    We had regular speech therapy in seminary in a class called Homiletics. We also lost a mark for every spelling error and a mark for grammatical errors on every paper we wrote. A passing grade was 80! We learned how to speak early on.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  15. John Toppass

    John Toppass Active Member
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    I have listened to many preachers, some yell, some never yell, some tell a joke or story, some can't tell a story much less a joke, some preach like teachers, some preach like exhibitors. Some preach entirely one way and some combine different ways even in the same sermon. Whether they preach expositional, anecdotal, topical, biographical or textual, the main thing is that their message be scriptural. I am not saying that good grammar is wrong, but some preachers would not be able to deliver the message without a wide berth grammatically. I listen to the message tho the delivery makes it more interesting.
     
  16. Ruiz

    Ruiz New Member

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    Sorry for the late response, I have been extremely busy.

    Simply, I have worked with people in improving their communication skills for a couple of years. I don't do it often, but every so often I get asked to work with someone. The question came after a speaker for an organization asked if I would help him.
     
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