I appreciate how practical Dr. Lori Carrell is in her new book Preaching That Matters. Here’s a short section on verbal clutter.
As you preach, avoid these items that clutter your speaking:
- Clichés—trite, overused phrasesSome clichés have been around for a long time (“In today’s society…”) while others come and go for brief periods of time (“At the end of the day…”). Nearly any combination of words can become meaningless distractions if overused. In one church, the pastor uses the following “go to” terms nearly every Sunday: “flesh out” and “unpack” (what he’ll do with the passage during the sermon) and “come alongside” (what listeners should do to care for one another, the standard “application” component of the sermon). Language is replete with intriguing options. Why default to a cliché?
- Non-descriptive modifiers (such as very, most, just, definitely, actually, and literally)Precise nouns and verbs can often stand alone, though adjectives and adverbs may aid meaning. For example, note the difference between an “innovative theological idea” and a “preposterous theological idea,” but the lack of additional meaning created with the usage of this non-descriptive modifier: “a very innovative theological idea.” Often these non-descriptive modifiers are inserted when volume or inflection could communicate the intended emphasis (“an innovative theological idea”). Currently, a word commonly causing meaningless clutter in church contexts is “just.”
I just think…
I just want to praise you…
I just feel…
I just want to pray for…Another in-vogue vacuous term is “actually”; for example, “Jesus actually walked on water” or “These missionaries actually flew to a remote airstrip in Ecuador.”
- Flabby Phrases—using multiple words when only one or two are necessaryFlabby: “The reason why I think this plan will work is because…”
Leaner: “This plan will work because…”Flabby: “Personally, in my opinion, I don’t really think…”
Leaner: “I don’t think…”Flabby: “At this point in time…”
Leaner: “Now…”Flabby: “Courageous, brave, and heroic martyrs…”
Leaner: “Heroic martyrs…”Flabby: “Progress in its growth…”
Leaner: “Grow…” - Vocal Filters—making sounds or saying words or pauses such as “um,” “uh,” “like,” or “you know,” instead of allowing the silence
As you continue to work on [increasing] the power of your language usage in preaching, eliminate the clutter.
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
