Preaching Quirks

[Reformed]

I was listening to a sermon online this evening by a pastor I never head before. While his message was good he had the annoying habit of smacking his lips every 15 seconds. After about 5 minutes of listening to him I had to turn it off. It had the same effect on me as fingers down a chalk board. All of which got me to think about my own preaching and what annoying habits I have.

I know the content of the message should be what's most important. I realize that some preachers have no control over their presentation. What if a preacher has a speech impediment or is recovering from a stroke? I don't want to be cruel as the proclamation of the Gospel is what matters most. But how much importance should be placed on preaching ability?

A preachers who "umms" you to death or who constantly taps his fingers on the pulpit can be as annoying as the one I listened to this evening who was smacking his lips. A monotone preacher, who has no voice inflection, can cause some people to tune out. I'm sure others have a list of gripes about preaching quirks.

What say you?

 

[convicted1]

I hate it when preachers won't use a hanky and wipe their mouthes. It really annoys me to see some "spittle" in the corners of their mouthes.

A Brother I used to work with is a pentecostal. He let me borrow a CD of his pastor preaching. Every 10-15 seconds it was "hallelujah"...


Nicodemus went to Jesus at night...hallelujah....Jesus said except a man be born again....hallelujah....he can not enter the kingdom of heaven....hallelujah....Nicodemus said, how can I enter back into my mother's womb....hallelujah...and be born the second time....hallelujah.....

Now, that wasn't his text....honestly can't remember what....hallelujah....it was....oops, got caught up in the moment. But used that as an example.....hallelujah....


Anyone ever hear a preacher say "bless God", "praise God forever more", "praise His high and holy name", over and over again whilst preaching?

 

[Salty]

...A preachers who "umms" you to death or who constantly taps his fingers on the pulpit can be as annoying as the one I listened to this evening who was smacking his lips. A monotone preacher, who has no voice inflection, can cause some people to tune out. I'm sure others have a list of gripes about preaching quirks.

What say you?

I would say if he talks like that in his everyday speech.....

 

[ktn4eg]

Maybe it's a "quirk," but if you've ever listened to any of Charles Stanley's sermons, he does tend to say "Listen" several times while he's preaching.

 

[Reformed]

Maybe it's a "quirk," but if you've ever listened to any of Charles Stanley's sermons, he does tend to say "Listen" several times while he's preaching.

I haven't listed to CS for nearly 20 years, but yes, I do remember his penchant for saying "listen". I can handle that because he is an effective communicator.

I am of the opinion that being able to effectively communicate is important. No preacher is perfect. But if a preacher is cognizant of quirks in his style he should work on correcting them (if possible).

 

[convicted1]

Ever hear a preacher and the whole time his eyes are closed???


Gosh, I can't stand that....that's a pet peeve of mine....

 

[Rippon]

In my circle this particular quirk is not found, but I have been a witness to it a few times in my life.

Amen? Amen? Amen? Amen? Amen? Amen? And that's in the first minute only. The "preachers" who have this tick must be really unsure of themselves. They need affirmation. The main fault is that they are unprepared. Take away their Amens? and they are not actually proclaiming the Word of God as well as they should.

I don't like the pronunciation that is typical of a number of preachers :Gawd --they draw it out in a very irritating manner.

 

[convicted1]

GAWD, I can't believe I forgot about the "amen?" syndrome......

 

[go2church]

This is the reason I watch my own sermons each week, not only to see if it was a good sermon, also to try and catch those annoying little quirks. Back in the early days for some reason, I kept my hand in my pocket, looked like a squirrel trying to get out of a sack, just awful. I don't use a pulpit, so no tapping or the like for me.

So much more could be added but basically you do any one thing to much it gets annoying.

 

[Salty]

How many pastors jingle their keys while preaching

 

[Scarlett O.]

Back in the early days for some reason, I kept my hand in my pocket, looked like a squirrel trying to get out of a sack, just awful.

I don't know why, but that just made me laugh out loud .... literally. I'm still chuckling. :flower:

 

[abcgrad94]

I won't be screamed at, especially not at church. If the preacher is yelling his head off to the point it hurts my ears, I'm done. It's one thing to shout a word or two in excitement. It's altogether different when the speaker is hoarse for days after preaching because he's a screamer.

 

[convicted1]

I won't be screamed at, especially not at church. If the preacher is yelling his head off to the point it hurts my ears, I'm done. It's one thing to shout a word or two in excitement. It's altogether different when the speaker is hoarse for days after preaching because he's a screamer.

WHAT!?!?!? YOU NEED TO BE SUBMISSIVE TO YOUR PASTOR!!!! HOW DARE YOU BE OUT OF ORDER!!

That is all....

:love2: :wavey: :flower:

 

[Tom Butler]

I don't like the pronunciation that is typical of a number of preachers :Gawd --they draw it out in a very irritating manner.

Then you definitely won't like Gawd'-ah.

Or Amen pronounced Ay-MAHN.

The correct way we Southerners say it are Ay-MAY-Un. Or in cases where one strongly approves, AY-MAY-un.
Or in Kentucky where I've lived for more than half-a-century: Ay-MEE-un

Or as one fellow who visited our church one time: HAY-man

 

[David Lamb]

Then you definitely won't like Gawd'-ah.

Or Amen pronounced Ay-MAHN.

The correct way we Southerners say it are Ay-MAY-Un. Or in cases where one strongly approves, AY-MAY-un.
Or in Kentucky where I've lived for more than half-a-century: Ay-MEE-un

Or as one fellow who visited our church one time: HAY-man

Reminds me of part of a 19th-century poem in the local dialect of the part of England I come from - Colchester, and its surrounding district. Here are 2 verses of the poem "These New-fangled Ways", with my "translation" beneath (I must stress that the subject here is the Church of England bringing in various rituals formerly associated with Roman Catholics):

An' I don't howd 'ith these ere ways at Charch
And I don't agree with the new ways at church

A singin o' the Scripters an' that ere
Singing the bible and things like that

Dressin' theirselves in nightgownds stiff wi' starch;
Dressing up in vestments that look like starched nightgowns;

The boible never tell 'em that, I swear
The bible doesn't tell them to do such things, I'm sure.


They say Ahmen instead o' Aimen now;
They say Ahmen instead of Aimen now

Tha's only jes to be contrairy like!
They only do it to be different!

An' when that come "the Glory" be thay bow
And when they sing, "Glory be to the Father", they bow

An' cartsey , Lor , I'd like to gim a shaike.
And curtsy. I'd like to give them all a shake.

 

[Rippon]

David! Long time, no see. You think you can waltz right on in here like you have been posting all along? ;-) It has been more than 26 months. Welcome back. You're permitted to make occasional stops --you don't have to be a regular, but we sure wouldn't mind.

 

[David Lamb]

David! Long time, no see. You think you can waltz right on in here like you have been posting all along? ;-) It has been more than 26 months. Welcome back. You're permitted to make occasional stops --you don't have to be a regular, but we sure wouldn't mind.

Sorry about my presumption. The main reason I have been "absent" for 26 months is that my wife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis two or three years ago, which has taken much of my time and attention. She still has it, but we are getting more used to coping with this change in our lives. God is good!

I don't know how "regular" a contributor I will be now, but I'll at least try visit from time to time!

 

[Revmitchell]

I tend to rock while I preach if I am not careful. This is due to my back injury. I have not had anyone complain to me about it but my mentor in the ministry used to get on me about it years ago.

Charles Stanley and his listen can be annoying. Excessive screaming is beyond tolerable for me. I just ind it insincere.

 

[convicted1]

One of the Brothers in my association, when he preaches, he says, "Brother listen" quite a bit throughout his sermon.


One of the Brothers at may home church, while he preachings, he tends to bounce as he preaches...


Not that either really bothers me, I just think their quirks....

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

In my circle this particular quirk is not found, but I have been a witness to it a few times in my life.

Amen? Amen? Amen? Amen? Amen? Amen? And that's in the first minute only. The "preachers" who have this tick must be really unsure of themselves. They need affirmation. The main fault is that they are unprepared. Take away their Amens? and they are not actually proclaiming the Word of God as well as they should.

I don't like the pronunciation that is typical of a number of preachers :Gawd --they draw it out in a very irritating manner.

You me like.....Gaa Odd Daaaa? :laugh: