16
DISABILITY
Every time I preached at theological colleges , on placements during training , and into the first four years of my ordination ( curacy ), I stood up at a lectern . Something in me understood that people who preached stood up , and I had never seen anyone preach sitting down .
Since my ordination in 2003 , I ’ ve been preaching sermons in a variety of churches and settings . Recently I realised that every model we were taught assumed we were preaching to a hearing , ablebodied congregation , and assumed we were hearing able-bodied preachers . I have been pondering these assumptions for a while .
Around 12 years ago , during pregnancy and then when my son was born , I decided to begin sitting down to preach . Pregnancy and cerebral palsy reduce stamina levels , and I found myself admitting that I was too tired to stand up to preach – and so I sat down . The sky did not fall in , the congregations did not complain , Jesus was still Lord ! I have sat to preach and teach ever since , without exception and without fail , to the extent that I now lead services sat down too !
When it comes to preaching , leading , and disability , here are a few of my personal observations and lessons learned through my own lived experience with cerebral palsy , in my work as a Disability Adviser , and as a disability advocate .
It is still a viable sermon / service if the preacher / leader is sitting down
One in 5 adults in the UK live with some form of physical challenges and disability . Those of us who use crutches to walk will usually look for somewhere to sit down when we enter a room ! Anyone with high
THE SKY DID NOT FALL IN , THE CONGREGATIONS DID NOT COMPLAIN , JESUS WAS STILL LORD ! I HAVE SAT TO PREACH AND TEACH EVER SINCE , WITHOUT EXCEPTION AND WITHOUT FAIL , TO THE EXTENT THAT I NOW LEAD SERVICES SAT DOWN TOO !
levels of fatigue , pain , or physical disability expends a lot of energy moving around and functioning . Sitting down to preach enables us to concentrate on the sermon , and allows energy levels to increase again . If I am expected to stand and preach , I will spend my valuable thinking space trying to make sure I don ’ t fall over or get too tired . An able-bodied preacher in a pulpit is no more authentic than a wheelchair user preaching from the floor level .
I sit down to take weddings , baptisms and funerals . I sit on a stool behind the altar when I preside at communion . I sit on a smaller stool when I administer the bread and wine . I sit down when I give all-age talks – often finding myself nearer the children sitting on the floor at my feet , who are thereby more willing to listen to me . In my sitting down , I give permission to others to do the same , often beginning my services with these words , ‘ Welcome to this service . It has been the habit of this church for many years to stand when we sing , to sit when we listen , and to kneel when we pray . However , if – like me – you need to adopt a different position , then please do . When I remain seated having invited people to stand , please do what you need to do . It is by invitation not command that we change posture !’
Amplification is vital
One in 6 adults in the UK are affected by hearing loss . Almost 1 million people are significantly or completely deaf . Many people rely on hearing devices ( hearing aids , cochlear implants ), lip-reading and facial expressions to help understand spoken language . Some people might be losing their hearing and beginning to rely on lip-reading without noticing – until the person at the front is less well lit ( due to an unreplaced light bulb ) and their face is not as clear .
If there is a microphone , use it . If there is no microphone provided , ask for one . Ensure that , if it is a handheld mic , you keep it by your mouth , and don ’ t keep turning your head away from it – otherwise we ’ ll only hear 1 word in 3 , if we ’ re lucky . If you are using a clip-on mic , make sure nothing is going to interfere with it – clip-on mics and the chain of a bishop ’ s cross are a good example of clothing clash ! Avoid having the mic clipped on under robes / vestments which muffle the speaker ’ s voice . The mic you use must be clear of obstructions and used well .
If the building has a T-loop system , make sure the T-Loop is turned on , and working . Have you checked the sound quality with hearing-aid users ? How much of the building does it cover ? Many are only designed to cover the main congregational space , and often do not extend into the chancel or choir stalls .
Simply saying , ‘ I ’ ll make my voice louder , I don ’ t need a mic ’ is not appropriate , as volume often distorts mouth shape and lessens communication . You also need to protect your own voice ! If you lead and preach , you don ’ t want to overexert your vocal chords by trying to be heard at the back without support – use the microphone .
If the content of our sermon is worth our preparation time , then people must be able to hear it .