One of the first rules actors learn is to speak the words of a script out loud before they go into an audition room.

Why?

Because no matter how many times they run through their part in their head, no matter how well they’ve committed it to memory, no matter how clearly they can see their delivery in their own mind’s eye, they understand this truth: Things sound differently when spoken aloud. Every good actor knows that if the audition room is the first place that the words of a script leave his lips, he’s doomed.

Though you and I are not performers, the same rule applies. Your previously inspired message should not leave your lips for the first time on a Sunday morning — EVER. If it does, you will have missed an incredible opportunity to strengthen your delivery and your overall craft.

Now, one of my mantras has become, “Never preach a message once.” And preaching it in multiple services during the same weekend doesn’t count. Your first service is not your trial run.

If you want to increase the effectiveness of your preaching, you absolutely must develop the habit of doing a weekly message run-through — that is, the habit of preaching your message ahead of time, gathering feedback and integrating the changes into your notes for Sunday.

At minimum, put yourself in the room with an audio recorder or a video camera. Better yet, pull together some interested, trusted staff to listen and give you feedback. That’s the basic concept; here’s a more detailed overview of the process:

1. Put a message run-through on your weekly calendar. Make sure your run-thru is scheduled for at least three days before Sunday, so you will have time to make necessary adjustments.

2. Finalize your preaching notes/message manuscript. Make sure you are fully prepared to deliver your message in time for your trial run. Without a completed manuscript, any attempt at a trial run will fall far short of its potential.

3. Gather your creative elements. If you are going to be using any personal creative elements in your message, use them in your trial run. Do everything exactly like you will do it in the actual message. You don’t want any surprises on Sunday.

4. Set up for audio or video recording. When was the last time you watched yourself on video or listened to yourself on audio? You should be taking part in this humbling exercise every week. On a personal note, I like to use this recording as an opportunity to pray through the message, as well.

5. Gather an interested audience. Pull together your worship pastor and the other teaching pastors on your staff to sit in on your run-through. Assign someone to be the timekeeper and make sure they keep you on track. But if you can’t pull anyone together, don’t let that keep you from doing a run-through. Let it be a time between you and God.

6. Deliver the message exactly as planned for Sunday. Let me repeat: deliver the message exactly as planned for Sunday. Part of this is making the space feel as much like it will on Sunday as possible. If you have access to your pulpit, do the run-through there. If you are in a portable situation, pick a place for your run-through where you can recreate your weekend teaching area. You want to make your run-through feel as authentic as possible.

7. Elicit positive and constructive feedback. The feedback you get through this process can make your message infinitely stronger. When I’m finished doing the run-through, I like to open the conversation by pointing out the areas for improvement that I noticed. Then I ask my listeners to give me their honest feedback and suggestions. And I listen.

8. Pray together for Sunday. This one is pretty self-explanatory.

9. Re-edit your manuscript. Sit down after your run-thru and put in the hard work of re-writing what needs to be re-written. Tweak what needs to be tweaked. Consider all of the feedback you received and move ahead accordingly.

When it comes to your message run-through, let me encourage you to take a cue from the ubiquitous Nike ads: Just Do It.

Decide now that Sunday will never be the first time you preach a message. I understand that you are busy and that this may sound like a lot of extra work, but the reward is more than worth the exertion.

When you choose to put intentional effort into refining your delivery, rather than simply practicing on your congregation week after week, you will be amazed by the renewed impact of your preaching.

Be committed to constant improvement. The responsibility for increasing the effectiveness of your preaching lies squarely on your shoulders.

Your partner in ministry,
Nelson

P.S. If you found this article helpful, please forward it to others.

I’d like to help you in another big area of preaching prep. You can dramatically cut down on your planning time during this busy season with my new Spring Sermon Sale. Features 32 of our best sermon series, up to 74% off, including 7 brand new titles!

Each resource includes message MP3s, sermon notes, transcripts, graphics, series documents and over 60 hours of sermon preparation by our teaching team.

Click here to choose your series and save BIG today!

Hurry, sale ends Friday, March 28th! 

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.