Yeah, just listen. Record your weekend message and listen to yourself. If you can do it by video, that much better!
I know, it is painful. We are our worst critics, but we stand up on Sundays and speak for a living. We owe it to ourselves to be the best communicator we can be.
Listen, I want others to show up and hear what I have to say. It only makes sense that I should also actually hear the words that are coming out of my mouth! What I think I say and how I think I say it can be very different from the way my congregation experiences it. If I am going to get better I must actually watch and listen to myself.
So spend a year of recording yourself and watching on Monday morning. Listen for your verbal stammers, jingling change in your pocket, monotone inflection, and painful pauses. Watch for the point at which you know you lost some people. Were you as clear as you wanted to be? Did your message make logical sense? Did you take your congregation from Point A to Point B, or did you meander around a bit? How much time do you spend speaking in a passive voice? What was the Big Ask at the end of your message? Did you inspire or beat up your people? What is it you wished you would have said?
Only after you listen to yourself for a year will you begin to see the progress you will make! You will begin to recognize your bad habits as you are speaking and correct them. Your notes will get better and your strong, inspirational voice will begin to come out.
If you want to take it a step further, find a partner to watch with you. Give him or her permission to hurt your feelings. Begin to hear the same things. Get better at your craft!
You don’t have to be the best speaker in town. You have to be the best speaker YOU can be. Take the time to listen. After all, you expect others to do it!