As we ministers begin to preach, we know that we must capture the attention of those in our congregation. And yet, sometimes we fall into patterns that disrupt the very attention grabbing we need to sustain in order to most effectively convey the message God has laid on our hearts.
I guess I’ve been thinking a lot about this subject lately: “How to attract and keep the attention of listeners.” We simply cannot teach or exhort our people if they have tuned us out. And, it is so very easy for them to do that—tune us out—especially in our culture today.
It may seem unthinkable that people would check their email or Facebook account during our sermons. After all, we have spent hours crafting a sermon that shares the truth of God’s Word and offers steps along the pathway toward mature spiritual formation. So, how could anyone choose to do something other than listen attentively to what we have to say?
Nevertheless, sitting in the congregation—as I am more likely to do today than actually stand behind the pulpit—I can see more than a few individuals looking at their smartphones or tablets. Either they are amusing themselves by scrolling through the latest photos they’ve taken, or they are actually checking email and looking at Facebook, or Twitter, or Instagram, or some other social media. Oh, I know they may have a “Bible App” on their device. But, I notice they rarely look up, so I suspect they’re not looking at the passage of Scripture for the sermon.
Since our culture seems so driven by what people can look at, visuals can become one tool in our minister’s toolbox that will help us capture and hold the attention of our congregants. You may already have begun to use visuals. But, are you using them as effectively as possible?
In Sermon-Coach Podcast No. 192, I offer some specific suggestions as to how ministers can use visuals in the most effective way. I invite you to click the link on this page that will take you to my Sermon-Coach.com website. Once there, you can click on the link and listen to this latest Podcast.
If you think about the way Jesus communicated with His disciples, He often used something visual to grab onto and hold their attention. We ministers need to find ways to make listening to our sermons as engaging as possible. The effective use of visuals may help us do just that.
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Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Please click here.
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