Introduction
This note on presentation skills is intended to assist everyone to become more effective in delivering public presentations, whether to an audience of a few or to many. The two key elements are what we have to say, and how we say it. It is about the content of our presentations, and the presentation of it – how the message is delivered. These are both critically important. I am sure we have all had occasions where we have walked away feeling the speaker missed the mark entirely, either due to what he or she had to say, the content, or the way the message was delivered, the presentation. The first step is to realise that we can all improve our presentation skills – no one is born a perfect presenter. The second is to set our hearts and minds to do something about this – to consciously strive to improve.
Keep the purpose in mind
There are two main types of presentations in the church context; preaching, and teaching. Preaching is primarily to inspire. Preaching the gospel (the good news of Jesus) provides the motivation for salvation and to change our attitudes and actions.
Teaching is primarily to educate – to impart knowledge in an understandable way. Teaching provides believers with the tools to make these changes.
Always keep your objective in mind – what is the purpose of your presentation – what you are aiming to achieve by it? Long stories about your own life and how you gained victory in a particular area my assist, but don’t overdo the time spent on recounting the past. A brief personal testimony can lend support to the point of your sermon or teaching, but do not over-do it. The typical trap is to ‘glorify’ the past by going into too much detail, so that when you get back to the point, everyone is still thinking about your story and miss the point that your set out to make.
Contents
Hermeneutics
Definition: Hermeneutics is the science and art of interpreting texts, especially sacred texts like the Bible. It involves understanding the historical, cultural, linguistic, and literary context of the text to uncover its original meaning.
Focus: The primary focus of hermeneutics is to accurately interpret the text and understand its original meaning.
Process: Understanding the Bible involves three different stages; translation, interpretation, and application, each of which play a vital role in determining what was said, what it meant to the audience to whom it was written (the literal historical approach) and how it applies to us today.
Translation
The first step is the translation of the Bible from Hebrew (OT) Greek and Aramaic (NT) into English or another modern language. An example may be the Greek word ‘baptizo’, which we translate as ‘baptise’. What did it mean to the people at the time it was written? It meant ‘complete immersion’.
Furthermore the English language has changed over the years and hence the meaning of some words have changed significantly since the King James version was published in 1611, and the meaning of some words are still changing.
Interpretation
interpretation involves discerning the meaning behind the words. Considering the literary, historical and cultural contexts helps us to understand what the text meant to its original audience. There are several principles to be applied in interpretation, the principal one being that a text means what the author intended it to mean to the persons to whom it was addressed. To do this we need to consider the author’s context historically, grammatically, culturally and the literary forms and conventions the author was working in. Different translations lean more towards either a direct literal translation (formal-equivalence) or to a freer approach that seeks to express the meaning in current language (functional equivalence). A middle road that takes both into account may be best.
Application
To determine the application of any book or passage in the bible to the reader today we need to consider who it was written by, to whom and for what purpose, and the historical context – under which dispensation or covenant was it produced, and to whom was it addressed. For instance, none of the laws of the Old Covenant apply to the New Covenant believers today (Roman 6:14).
Know your topic
Prepare thoroughly and know your material well, and how much of it you are going to use. Focus on the important, and leave out the unnecessary – whatever does not support or explain the point of your presentation. Structure your message logically and clearly; an introduction to explain the topic, the body to with the bulk of the content, and end with a clear conclusion – what message do you want your audience to go home with.
Try and assess your message objectively; what would it mean to you if you were the person listening to it, and what questions would you have – see if these can be answered as part of your presentation.
Keep it simple
Say what you mean, mean what you say. Keep is simple and appropriate to your audience, the occasion, and your time allocated. Avoid all jargon, which includes unnecessarily complex Christian terminology. Everyone present needs to be able to understand what you are saying. Preach the Word, and let the Holy Spirit bring conviction and transformation. It is not about you, or building your reputation, so don’t try to impress anyone. Remember what Paul said about his visit to the believers in Corinth:
1 Corinthians 2:1 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness – timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
Back what you have to say with appropriate scriptures, but avoid reading out a long list of scriptures – this can confuse everyone about the point or points you are making. You can also illustrate a point with a real life example, but remember that the only one that you are allowed to be in any way negative or critical of, is yourself. Even then, remember that you too have been forgiven, so the purpose of the illustration must be to show how you were changed or blessed by the point on which you are preaching or teaching.
Presentation
Homiletics
Definition: Homiletics is the art of preaching or delivering sermons or presentations. It involves communicating the interpreted message of the text in a way that is relevant and engaging to the audience.
Focus: The primary focus of homiletics is to effectively convey the message of the text to an audience.
Process: Presenting a message involves organising the content to create a clear and logical structure and then effectively communicating it to the audience.
Your presentation
Passion and conviction
If you are not totally convinced of what you have to say, and excited about presenting your message, how can you expect anyone else to get excited? Standing dead still and reading from one’s notes in a flat monotone will likely lead your audience to think that your message does not mean that much to you, so why should they accept it as applying to their lives? Of course one should not go to the other extreme of shouting, jumping around and waving your arms etc – this can be intimidating, or amusing, and either way distracting. A middle ground needs to be found, and this may take practice and perseverance. When you love the Lord, believe in your heart that what you have to say will be a blessing to your audience and are excited to share it with them, they will far more readily accept what you have to say.
Know your audience
Try and find out in advance as much about your intended audience as possible; their likely age group, spiritual maturity, and understanding of English – or whatever language you will be speaking in. If an interpreter is required, try an meet the person in advance, and even hand him a copy of your notes for the presentation for him to read and understand what, in general, you will be saying, so that he/she can better understand how to interpret the words and the intent of your message.
Keep it simple
Remember that very few people actually have a good understanding of the words used in the King James translation, even where English is their home language. Rather use a reliable, modern translation, and take the extra time to briefly explain the context of a scripture wherever you feel this will help.
Time management
In most meetings a time limit is set for the sermon, teaching or any other presentation by the pastor or person in charge of such meeting – this needs to be respected. To ignore this would be rude and disrespectful to your host, to any others who may also have been allocated a time slot for their presentations, and to everyone attending. It may also mean that you risk not being ever invited back to speak there again! If you are new to public speaking, it is highly advisable to start with short sermons or presentations, say what you have prepared and feel led to say, and leave it at that. As a general rule, be careful not to diverge from what you have prepared in advance, and do not over-elaborate any point, or waste too much time on it at the expense of other things that you has planned to say. Also be aware that if your speech is to be interpretated as it is presented, this will take twice as much time, and consequently the content of what you have to say may have to be reduced by half to fit the time slot allocated to you.
Distractions
- Appearance
How you are dressed for the occasion? Over-dressed, under-dressed, long/unkept hair, wearing a hat indoors or in any other way offending any one’s cultural norms etc. can all create a negative perception before you have even begun to speak. Over-dressing for the intended audience can be seen as a sign of pride or superiority, while an overly casual, sloppy appearance may result in your audience devaluing you and you message before you have even begun to speak.
- Attitude
Pride or an attitude of superiority can generally be ‘sensed’ by an audience, and does not go down well in most cultures, leading to the rejection of both you and your message. Is your message intended reveal the heart of the Father and to bring Him glory, or to build your own reputation?
- Speech
Strive to speak each word clearly. Vary your pitch to avoid a monotone, but makes sure that every word can be clearly heard. Remember that the larger your audience and the room, the louder and more clearly you will need to speak. A microphone can amplify your voice but can also reduce the clarity of your words, so even more care needs to be taken. Talking too softly, too fast, too much repetition, over dramatization, saying e.g. ‘um’, ‘er’ of ‘eh’ repeatedly, talking down to people (speaking to them as if they are young or not very bright) etc. can all hinder your audience from listening to your message.
- Volume
Gauge the room and speak loudly enough to be heard at the back. Project your voice. Don’t get into the habit of dropping your volume the end of a sentence – no-one should battle to hear what you have to say. Keep watch to see of people are clearly battling to hear you. Try and speak at a reasonably uniform volume, especially if you using a sound system, as this can make the task of person on the sound desk extremely difficult.
- Cultural appropriateness
Different cultural groups have different norms and expectations. One might favour very high volume worship with lots of repetition of songs, screaming and ululating, and the message presented with shouting, repetition and lots of physical pacing up and down and antics. Another may favour a quieter worship and less demonstrative, but equally spiritually powerful presentation. Each of these will be equally effective – to their own cultural groups.
- Focus
Don’t stare at one person or group – look around, involve everyone. Don’t let anyone feel intimidated, uncomfortable or on the other hand excluded.
- Bad habits
Fidgeting, standing dead still, or alternatively too much movement, such as continuously pacing up and down.
- Stories
Telling long, excessively personal or irrelevant stories can confuse or dilute the message.
- Jokes
Inappropriate, offensive or derogatory jokes or stories will alienate your audience – leave them out.
- Props
Too much emphasis on the use of props to illustrate a message can be a distracting time-waster and detract from the message. Don’t let them dominate your message. Their presence and use to illustrate your message may also be misinterpreted.
- Complexity
Gauge your audience; their age and language group, and whether they are new converts or mature disciples, and calibrate your presentation accordingly: length, complexity of the terms and illustrations used etc. Don’t over-intellectualize, or dumb it down and so insult the intelligence and maturity of the hearers.
How to Improve
No-one is born an expert speaker – it takes practice and consistent effort to improve. We are all called to do our best – to do everything as well as we can, whatever that level currently is. (Colossians 3:23).
So, how can we identify our weak points? You may be able to watch a replay of your presentation and be able to pick up some of your own shortfalls, but you may also be blind to others. The best way I know of to achieve this is through regular, honest and loving feedback from an experienced and trusted fellow presenter. To ask someone, ‘How was my presentation?’ may just elicit a generalised compliment; the better questions to ask are: ‘How can I do better next time? How can I improve my presentation skills? and, Did I do or say anything distracting, annoying or upsetting?‘
The Bible tells us about the advantages of listening to sincere and constructive advice numerous times – here are some of them:
Proverbs 13:18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honoured.
Proverbs 15:31 If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
Proverbs 27:9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.
Proverbs 29:1 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.
Proverbs 19:25 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson; if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser.
Guard your heart
There is an old saying that one cannot please everyone – this seems to hold true in public speaking. No matter how agreeable and diplomatic one tries to be there will quite likely be someone who disagrees with what you have to say, or how you say it. This could be the result of a personality difference, an unintended offence that set the person off, or even demonic possession of the person. They might voice their opinion to others, or even tell you to your face. If or when this occurs remember that our objective in public speaking is primarily to serve God, and not to please man. Just let it go. Thank them for their comments, and smile.
In reviewing the results of a presentation to their staff, the personnel division of a particular company makes it a practice to ignore any radically negative assessment of a presenter by a delegate, and not to include this person’s rating or comments in the results in compiling their report on the presentation.
A ’negative’ person can on occasion be readily identified, e.g. by their bodily posture of folded arms or the look on their face. Some may become bored, or even sleepy. Paul, in speaking at great length to the church at Troas, suffered the indignity of Eutychus falling asleep in the middle of his presentation, and falling to his death from a third story window (Acts 20:9).
Spiritual Discernment and Spiritual Attacks
Only go where you feel God is calling you to go and speak. Submit your plans to the Lord in prayer – the Holy Spirit must be our guide. The Holy Spirit told Peter to go with the messengers to meet Cornelius, a Roman centurion (Acts 10:19-43) and Paul in a vision to go over to Macedonia in Northern Greece to help the people there (Acts 16:9-10). This was after the Bible says that the Holy Spirit had prevented Paul and Silas from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time, and straight after this from going to the province of Bithynia (Acts 16:6-7).
Satan can also be the cause of preventing one from ministering in any particular place. We read that Paul wanted to visit the Thessalonians again, ‘but Satan prevented us’ (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18). We are not told how Satan did this – whether spiritually, lack of finances, opposition from people etc. Prior intercession, and the support of others to pray for you, are always advised, especially if you are going to minister in a new geographical area.
Dr Brian Drury