Preachers Improving Voice Projection

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jun 29, 2010 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

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:

1. 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?”
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.