Here, on the campus of the Diocese
of Green Bay, we have been blessed with several effective homilists over the
last six years. It cannot be overstated that lay people today really look
forward to good homilies. After all, many of the rites and gestures in the Mass
are no longer understood within the biblical and liturgical tradition from
which they originated. As such, aspects that precede the Mass or are a part of
the Mass itself i.e. hospitality, hymns and homilies, have taken on a great
deal of importance. In fact, these three things often influences whether or not
a person continues their spiritual journey with a parish.
All of that aside, it is true, nevertheless, that lay people can learn from good homilists; especially if their employment or ministry requires them to do a lot of public speaking. As for my job responsibilities, I provide workshops and give talks for both parish leaders and parishioners. Yet, my speaking skills are always a work in progress. Indeed, sometimes I come close to hitting the mark; but more often than not I walk away from my presentation wishing I had done things a little differently. If truth be told, I've been doing public speaking for a while and I have not settled in to a grove that I am happy with. This is why I welcome feedback from others- positive or negative.
Two Good Homilists
Wanting to improve in this area, I sought out the advice of two good homilists that I work with; the names of which I will omit in this article. But I wanted to know what their secret sauce was. That is, I was curious to learn how they routinely delivered good sermons (or homilies) time and time again. With these two priest, in fact, I do not recall a time when daydreaming got the best of me during their sermons. When they preach, I'm tuned in!
Eventually, their counsel resulted in five total bullet points that I have used for my own public speaking purposes. From time to time I forget to follow through on their advice; but I make it my aim to revisit these tips from time to time. Here are the five tips that have been helpful to me:
1. One Singular Point
I was told by one of the priest's where I work that before any sermon he gives, he sits down to write out one main point he wishes to communicate. He went on to say to me in so many words, "If I can't write down one main point I want communicate, how can I expect others to remember my sermon?"
Now, if you are a big picture person like myself, or theologically minded, or detail-challenged, then this discipline can be arduous. It can be like trying to stand at the bottom of the deep end of the pool with the upward pull to float to the surface. Author of the book, Divine Renovation, Fr. James Mallon made a similar point. He argues that theologically minded leaders tend to be "generalists". Their message tends to be general or abstract; lacking that one singular point people can grab hold off. Theological and spiritual truths, especially, need to be anchored in a tangible lesson or a singular point.
One way to help ensure this focus and intelligibility of your presentation is to write down the purpose statement before you begin mapping it out.
2. Begin with a Story
Never assume that people are interested in the topic you are speaking about. They have the freedom to tune out. Yet, if we are aware that our natural default as human beings is to communicate or provide to others what we, ourselves, love, we can then resist three unfounded assumptions about our audience: 1. That they are interested in what we are interested in. 2. That they are asking the same questions we are asking. 3. And that they understand insider jargon we use with our colleagues.
What helps to overcome these assumptions, is knowing that the main point of our talk- especially if it is spiritual or theological -needs an onramp. Onramps or introductions that appeal to our audience's interests or affections draws them into the main point we wish to address. This is why stories are universally loved and listened to. This is why three out of the first five books of the Old Testament and the four Gospels are composed of stories.
The fact is that people instinctively tune into stories. Even analogies and references to everyday life serves as effective attention-getters. Regardless, listeners in our post-Christian world cannot immediately enter into the higher realm of spiritual truths. For them to be open to these truths, we need to help them by making reference to their world; especially in the introduction.
3. The Challenge
Every story has a plot. And every plot involves some challenge or crisis in it. Popular books, movies and plays depend on some crisis to overcome. The bible and in particular, the, Gospel, is no different. Challenges are not only woven into the Gospel stories, but they are integral to the teachings of Christ. Take for instance the parable of the sower. Three out of the four possible outcomes of the farmer's scattered seeds (i.e. seeds landing on a path, on rocky soil, among thorns) involve challenges and dangers. Just the same, the main point of a talk- whether it be an insight or action item -invariably has challenges associated with it. Therefore, for a successful implementation of your main point, help your audience by addressing the challenge to that point.
4. The Solution
The natural question to ask at this point is: What is the solution to the challenge you just detailed? It is easy to complain or limit your presentation to the problems at hand. But one of the things that I have learned by working at the Diocese of Green Bay is to be prepared to provide the solution to any problem I wish to address. As for giving a presentation, by providing a user-friendly solution after having addressed the challenge, we are giving the solution the last word. Having communicated the solution, we are not leaving the audience with an abstract or speculative idea. Instead, the main point of our talk should involve an actionable item; something that your listening audience can put into practice that day.
St. Francis de Sales, a 17th century Catholic bishop, like any other cleric in his day, enjoyed positive feedback from his congregation regarding his sermons. But he admitted that he was not flattered when they said, "O That was a beautiful sermon." Rather, the compliments that delighted him the most were: "I will do something!"
5. The Story Again
Finally, just as a story can serve as onramp or introduction to the main point of the presentation, some reference to that same story can be equally valuable as an off-ramp. In fact, when it is done well, it brings a nice closure to the talk.
These five simple points are, in part, why I look forward to hearing sermons at daily Mass from the priests who work on the diocesan campus. Not only am I inspired by their well-delivered talks (i.e. homilies, sermons) for my own spiritual growth, but I use these five tips to constantly refine my public speaking.
All of that aside, it is true, nevertheless, that lay people can learn from good homilists; especially if their employment or ministry requires them to do a lot of public speaking. As for my job responsibilities, I provide workshops and give talks for both parish leaders and parishioners. Yet, my speaking skills are always a work in progress. Indeed, sometimes I come close to hitting the mark; but more often than not I walk away from my presentation wishing I had done things a little differently. If truth be told, I've been doing public speaking for a while and I have not settled in to a grove that I am happy with. This is why I welcome feedback from others- positive or negative.
Two Good Homilists
Wanting to improve in this area, I sought out the advice of two good homilists that I work with; the names of which I will omit in this article. But I wanted to know what their secret sauce was. That is, I was curious to learn how they routinely delivered good sermons (or homilies) time and time again. With these two priest, in fact, I do not recall a time when daydreaming got the best of me during their sermons. When they preach, I'm tuned in!
Eventually, their counsel resulted in five total bullet points that I have used for my own public speaking purposes. From time to time I forget to follow through on their advice; but I make it my aim to revisit these tips from time to time. Here are the five tips that have been helpful to me:
1. One Singular Point
I was told by one of the priest's where I work that before any sermon he gives, he sits down to write out one main point he wishes to communicate. He went on to say to me in so many words, "If I can't write down one main point I want communicate, how can I expect others to remember my sermon?"
Now, if you are a big picture person like myself, or theologically minded, or detail-challenged, then this discipline can be arduous. It can be like trying to stand at the bottom of the deep end of the pool with the upward pull to float to the surface. Author of the book, Divine Renovation, Fr. James Mallon made a similar point. He argues that theologically minded leaders tend to be "generalists". Their message tends to be general or abstract; lacking that one singular point people can grab hold off. Theological and spiritual truths, especially, need to be anchored in a tangible lesson or a singular point.
One way to help ensure this focus and intelligibility of your presentation is to write down the purpose statement before you begin mapping it out.
2. Begin with a Story
Never assume that people are interested in the topic you are speaking about. They have the freedom to tune out. Yet, if we are aware that our natural default as human beings is to communicate or provide to others what we, ourselves, love, we can then resist three unfounded assumptions about our audience: 1. That they are interested in what we are interested in. 2. That they are asking the same questions we are asking. 3. And that they understand insider jargon we use with our colleagues.
What helps to overcome these assumptions, is knowing that the main point of our talk- especially if it is spiritual or theological -needs an onramp. Onramps or introductions that appeal to our audience's interests or affections draws them into the main point we wish to address. This is why stories are universally loved and listened to. This is why three out of the first five books of the Old Testament and the four Gospels are composed of stories.
The fact is that people instinctively tune into stories. Even analogies and references to everyday life serves as effective attention-getters. Regardless, listeners in our post-Christian world cannot immediately enter into the higher realm of spiritual truths. For them to be open to these truths, we need to help them by making reference to their world; especially in the introduction.
3. The Challenge
Every story has a plot. And every plot involves some challenge or crisis in it. Popular books, movies and plays depend on some crisis to overcome. The bible and in particular, the, Gospel, is no different. Challenges are not only woven into the Gospel stories, but they are integral to the teachings of Christ. Take for instance the parable of the sower. Three out of the four possible outcomes of the farmer's scattered seeds (i.e. seeds landing on a path, on rocky soil, among thorns) involve challenges and dangers. Just the same, the main point of a talk- whether it be an insight or action item -invariably has challenges associated with it. Therefore, for a successful implementation of your main point, help your audience by addressing the challenge to that point.
4. The Solution
The natural question to ask at this point is: What is the solution to the challenge you just detailed? It is easy to complain or limit your presentation to the problems at hand. But one of the things that I have learned by working at the Diocese of Green Bay is to be prepared to provide the solution to any problem I wish to address. As for giving a presentation, by providing a user-friendly solution after having addressed the challenge, we are giving the solution the last word. Having communicated the solution, we are not leaving the audience with an abstract or speculative idea. Instead, the main point of our talk should involve an actionable item; something that your listening audience can put into practice that day.
St. Francis de Sales, a 17th century Catholic bishop, like any other cleric in his day, enjoyed positive feedback from his congregation regarding his sermons. But he admitted that he was not flattered when they said, "O That was a beautiful sermon." Rather, the compliments that delighted him the most were: "I will do something!"
5. The Story Again
Finally, just as a story can serve as onramp or introduction to the main point of the presentation, some reference to that same story can be equally valuable as an off-ramp. In fact, when it is done well, it brings a nice closure to the talk.
These five simple points are, in part, why I look forward to hearing sermons at daily Mass from the priests who work on the diocesan campus. Not only am I inspired by their well-delivered talks (i.e. homilies, sermons) for my own spiritual growth, but I use these five tips to constantly refine my public speaking.
