National Gallagher Vacation Part #1
The trip is planned! The bags have been packed the the roads are wide open to the traveling Gallagher family in their non-minivan SUV fully equipped with so many pieces of luggage, electronic and food a small third world country would think we are invading. In preparation for our travels I sat down and watched “National Lampoon’s Vacation” at least six times, because I had a feeling I might duplicate part of the trip. (For those wondering, we left our dog at home and Carrie’s parents are checking on her and taking car of her. No tying her to the bumper here!)
Our trip is going to be a blast. Seeing the scenic sights of the Mountain states while getting a little rest and relaxation. Having made this trip many different times, we are adding a new twist to the trip. Carrie and I have decided to take the kids on a little extended trip through the West Virginia mountains.
With the alarm set, the dog feed, the neighbors on alert we are gone, we headed off to the West Virginia mountains.
Monday brought a day of nothingness. Much relaxation along with an occasional check of email was an amazing day. We took some time and had lunch with my mother and sister at a nice Mexican restaurant before heading out clothes shopping. Yes, you read that right, I went clothes shopping. I was not taken kicking and screaming, but I was almost in tears as I waited for clothing decisions to be made. I shop manly, meaning, I walk in, get what I need, pay and then leave. But the girls and my mom…well, let’s say
store staff were almost on hand to become personal shoppers for them.
We were not shopping in just any store, we were shopping in Gabriel Brothers! Now for those of you not familiar with Gabriel Brothers, you can find some excellent deals, but you can also find some misfits; like pants with a collar! I once bought a shirt their that said “Cincinnaiti” not Cincinnati. I knowingly wore the shirt around for weeks until someone said, “isn’t your shirt spelled wrong.” I quickly told them it was a different way to pronounce it and they walked off with a new and horrible grammar lesson. Since I had to be shopping, what a special place to do it. I did not find anything unusual, but I did find a pair of Nike basketball shoes size 22! Here is a picture of them with a size 12.
On Tuesday, our normal family SUV became a “SUV like minivan but not really.” As our family grows up, their legs seem to take up more space than usual. After looking at trading in the SUV for another with a third row, I made some phone calls and came upon a rare find – a third row seat for our SUV. Our Buick SUV is already equipped for one; it was an option from the factory, so every car has the necessary adjustments to make it happen. We decided to make it happen!
I traveled across the Mason-Dixon line to a Salvage Yard/Auto parts place in Pennsylvania to purchase a third row seat. After driving like a maniac to get there, the seat was in bad shape. Instead I ended up getting a leather third row seats, shoulder seat belts and a storage compartment for behind the seat for a very reasonable price. Tuesday night would be installation night. I wanted to get the seat installed before the “Gallagher Scenic Mountain Trip.”
With a time and manner that even Tim Allen would grunt at, everything was installed and I walked away with all my fingers, no extra parts and no duct tape used! I was quite shocked what a little research and effort can do to transform a normal SUV into a “Non-Minivan, SUV on steroids.” Now, if I could only get a V-8 in it!
Okay, one last thing. Some of you know that I am delving into the world of Motivational/Corporate Speaking and in the process of developing a website to go along with it. I spent some time on Monday and Tuesday tweaking the site to almost being just right. If you would like, you can take a look at the site by going to http://www.gallagherinstitute.com or clicking the picture below!
Thanks and those are just my thoughts!
Chris
Preachers Improving Voice Projection
Every day, my inbox gets flooded with email newsletters, articles and resources. The reason is simple, to grow others, I have to first grow myself! not all the newsletters are read, some are skimmed and others are read to the full extent of the article. Some of the newsletters find their way being sent to friends and family, others find their way into my Evernote files to be read later and others are simply deleted. I encourage you to sign up for newsletters and take some time out each day to skim them for information.
One of the “new” newsletters I receive is “Pulpit Review” by Mark Posey. Mark does an excellent job presenting articles and material. He sends them out in a PDF format. Below is a copy of the main article from the last issue. I asked mark if I could share the article with you and he gave me permission. Enjoy!
Just some thoughts,
Chris
Preachers Improving Voice Projection
By Mark Posey
The term “Projection” is a theatre term which refers to making your voice carry throughout the entire audience. Projection isn’t just an increase in volume; it involves vocal personality, and includes:
- Articulation (also called enunciation). Effective speakers will make use of the lips, teeth, tongue, and the jaw to form words correctly and will avoid running those words together. Remember: “The audience is hearing this for the first time, not the seventieth. Will they understand the words?”
- Pronunciation. The correct pronouncement of words is a big part of being understood. Check out the dictionary, and set the pronunciation in stone. This is especially
helpful in those Old Testament sermons on the lives of kings not named Ahab or David. Consider using “Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary” available with Bible Navigator. - Volume. Intensity in level is not necessarily equal to intensity of understandability. In other words, louder isn’t always better; it’s just, well, louder.
- Relaxation. Being nervous usually goes hand-in-hand with being up front. Unfortunately, a tense speaker can rarely be heard. He tends to speak lower and more softly. A relaxed speaker, however, can still lower his voice and project – if he articulates his words. A few minutes of practice each day will protect the preacher’s voice.
- Confidence. Your goal is to rehearse the sermon enough times to allow your audience to feel comfortable and understand. Preachers who feel secure in those things
will be more likely to project and be understood. - Pitch. Speaking is just like singing in that it involves pitch. There should be a pleasing melody to the way preachers proclaim; raising or lowering the pitch for more climactic moments. Good preachers will use their normal speaking vocal range. Every quotation doesn’t have to go up in pitch at the ending. Every angry statement
doesn’t have to be yelled. - Tongue twisters. These are exceptional for making a preacher spit out the words. Here are a few to repeat over and over:
“You need unique New York.”
“The lips, the teeth, the tip of the tongue.”
“Red leather, yellow leather.”
“Rubber baby buggy bumper.”
“Sushi chef.”
The vocal strain so often heard among preachers is more a result of misuse than overuse. The preacher’s voice is as essential to his work as the motor is to a vehicle. Pushing either one beyond its limits leads to major problems. MNP
Pulpit Preview is sent to all that desire it for the purpose of sharing sermon ideas & useful illustrations. It is sent via email on a bi-weekly bases. Editor: Mark N. Posey. He is the preaching minister for the Austinville Church of Christ (2833 Danville Rd. SW Decatur, AL 35603) since 1994. Please send comments to pulpitpreview@austinvillecoc.org
(or) to the address above. Thanks, MNP.
Building a Great Congregation – Leadership
Dr. John Maxwell says that everything rises and falls on leadership and I believe he has hit the nail on the head. Leadership is vital, not only in business, but in churches! Leadership in local congregation is not a human idea, but an idea from the Almighty. Consider how God wants elders, if qualified men are available, in churches: 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Take a moment and glance at a brief lesson on leadership during the “Building a Great Congregation” series.
Just some thoughts,
Chris
Top Ten Things Heard at the Tulsa Workshop 2010
This is a little late, but the thoughts of a fun workshop is still on my mind. I have to admit the workshop was good, but the discussions of the speaker’s lessons and point afterward were much better. it is great to be challenged, but it is more impressive to talk about what you heard and then re-challenge yourself. Anyway, here is a little top ten for the Tulsa folks.
Top Ten Things Heard at the Tulsa Workshop 2010
10– “I like that woman’s purse. Ya know, the woman with Paula Harrington.” “Oh wait, that is a man!”
9 – “Does Trey Morgan have a blog?”
8 – “John Dobbs looks like that Big Poppa’s Coffeehouse guy.”
7 – “That @mtanaro sure drinks a lot of tea, no wonder he prays so much.”
6 – While listening to Patrick Mead: “This guy ain’t frum around here, is he?”
5 – “I bet Tucker feels at home in a fairground.”
4 – “Since I went to lectures all week, do I still have to go to church on Sunday? Don’t I get a skip church pass or something?”
3 – “Tim Archer wrote a book in English?”
2 – “Carl Feril looks like a Christian Wyatt Earp!”
1 – Me: “My room door does not have a peephole.” Hotel Manager: “That is a problem.” Me: “Well, it is not a problem for me, but it will be for others.”
Just some thoughts,
Chris
BP, The Gulf and Your Congregation
As the tragedy of the BP Oil Rig explosion still lingers, our country seems to begin to become immune to the 11 workers lost to the explosion as well as the countless gallons of oil leaking into the Gulf. From the beginning, little was shown to the workers families as all cameras began a steady focus on the oil leaking into the Gulf waters. Since that day, cameras have been showing the stream of oil, having forgot the people who died that day. Have people been forgotten for oil?
Battles rage over who caused the problem instead of raging battles to solve the problem. Just as battled rage over a host of other problems, people are still pointing fingers trying to figure out who to blame instead of what to do. Granted, it does seem like BP is reaching out to fix the problem, but they are at a loss as well. With that pressure of oil as well as the distance to the busted pipe, the situation is difficult.
The greater question may be what should Christians do about the leakage? The answer is simple (sort of) – Pray! Prayer does amazing things.
How about this? Consider your own congregation and ask yourself this question, “How many Christians have been lost to the world this year?” How many solutions are being sought to bring them back into the flock of God?
Just as oil leaks into the Gulf, the world leaks into the lives of Christians. Everyone, including preachers, want to point a finger at the problem, but very few make the decision of solution. For example:
- “Television is corrupting our young people’s minds” –> Then turn off the TV!
- “Facebook is causing problems in families” –> Then stop Facebook!
- “The Music today is hideous and immoral” –> Then stop listening to it!
- “The Preacher’s Pen website steps on my toes” –> Tough! Move your feet!
The solutions are simple right? “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5.22; ESV) Paul was blunt but very clear. Get away! If something is evil, MOVE! If something is going to destroy your family, your friends and most importantly your relationship with God…MOVE!!
Simply putting the problem a little farther away does not help. Moving it from in front of you to beside you still has it near you. Paul says “MOVE!”
What do you need to move today? Is the world callusing you to the tragedy that some will not make it to heaven? Like the Gulf, have we been bombarded with so many horror stories we have become callused to the problems as well as the solutions?
Just some thoughts,
Chris
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