Preach Magazine Issue 1 - Creativity and innovation in preaching | Page 23

SERIAL

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THE TRUTH IS, WHILE YOUR
WORDS CONVEYED GRACE AND
COMPASSION, YOUR BODY WAS
SHOUTING JUDGEMENT. YOU
LOOKED ANGRY, AND YOUR
CONGREGATION NOW FEELS
JUMPY AROUND YOU.

HANDS IN POCKETS – dejection
There are other pitfalls to having
your hands in your pockets. I once
saw someone preach (I didn’t hear
what they said, I was too distracted
– who gesticulated wildly, hands in
pockets, giving the impression that
wild ferrets were trying to escape
from his clothing.
HAND ON HEART – wanting to be
believed, whether truthful or not
(earnest/impassioned/impelling)
You can put your hand on our heart.
Everyone will quite understand that
you want to be believed.
HANDS ON HIPS – you are
ready and in control. Can be a
sign of aggression (collected/
preparedness/empowered)
General consensus seems to be that
this isn’t an awful way to stand, but
it says ‘fishwife’ to me. Perhaps it
depends on how wide your hips are.
I don’t think I could get away with it.

LWPT8173 - Preach Magazine - Issue 1 v3.indd 23

HUNCHED SHOULDERS – misery,
insecurity
I’m sure we’ve all had times of feeling
miserable and having to preach
anyway. I am not against a degree of
vulnerability from the front, but if you
don’t acknowledge it verbally it is very
distracting. Sometimes when we don’t
feel confident and happy, we just need
to push through, and make our bodies
submit to us. Shoulders back, head
held high, stiff upper lip…
LIP BITING – tension or stress,
possibly due to high concentration
but does imply anxiety
Try putting on some nasty tasting lip
gloss right before you speak.
OPEN PALM – sincerity, openness,
innocence
Lots of the open palm, people.
PLAYING WITH HAIR – lack of
confidence, anxiety
If you have long hair, it is a good idea
to have it in a style that keeps it out of
your way while you are up front.

RUBBING NOSE – lying or doubt
You really don’t want to rub your
nose while you preach. Aside from
the fact you might look like you are
telling porkies, you want to steer clear
of any impression you are having an
inopportune pick.
RUBBING HANDS – anticipation, glee
This is fine, so long as you don’t do
it at the wrong moment – say while
preaching on Lamentations or the
first half of Jeremiah.
SHIFTING WEIGHT FROM FOOT TO
FOOT – shows mental and/or physical
discomfort
While this might be communicating
exactly what you are feeling, it is
uncomfortable for your listeners.
WIPING SWEATY HANDS ON CLOTHING
– betrays nervousness, which in turn
makes your listeners nervous
Even truly seasoned preachers still
experience some nerves. The key is to
disguise them as best you can so you don’t
undermine the power of your words.

17/10/2014 12:53:49