Why I Don’t Preach From a Manuscript
For many years I preached from a manuscript. There was no way that I was going up to a pulpit with a full manuscript. I actually introduced a welcoming time (passing of the peace) at First Baptist Church Meaford because I realized part way during the service that my manuscript was still on my desk!
I never thought I could preach without a manuscript but one funeral, my manuscript was taken by the person who did the eulogy and so I had no choice. People from my congregation commented on how much better my preaching was.
This is the point that I want to make. It is not just that I can preach without a manuscript. It is that I preach far better without a manuscript.
I still write a full manuscript. Writing a manuscript helps me to organize my thoughts and I eventually publish my sermons on my blog. I don’t intend to ever stop writing manuscripts.
There are two main reasons why I don’t bring the manuscript into the pulpit:
- Being without a manuscript improves my delivery. Every once in a while I experiment with bringing the manuscript instead of my notes to the pulpit. There is a significant decrease in the quality of my delivery. Using notes (I use a mind map) helps me to stay on track but allows my delivery to be more natural.
- Preaching without a manuscript provides more freedom. It is difficult to explain but I find that the word or phrase that ends up having the most impact is one that it is not necessarily in my manuscript. I’m not adding new information while I’m preaching but the way I express it in the moment is more spontaneous. I find that it is such times that the Holy Spirit speaks the strongest.
