Recently, I visited a church which meets in a wonderful historic building. The architecture was beautiful, the music was well executed, and even the sound was decent. Even better, the content was great, the preaching was solid, and the final hymn fit well with the scriptures. All in all, it was very good. Unfortunately, it was also boring.
No doubt some would say the problem was simply that it was traditional, but I’ve certainly attended contemporary services that were boring. I don’t think style is the issue. Neither is it as simple as being alive or dead, either. If you had listened and engaged you would have heard the bread of life clearly proclaimed from a place of true conviction.
So would it be possible to lead with something other than a demeanor that says, “We are serious, and we trust in seriousness alone?” I am a very laid back guy with a high tolerance for the subdued and subtle. But when we read the words of life, could we perhaps hear some life? The issue is that there was little joy or life expressed. I realize that some in the high-church tradition are trained to read without emotion so as to let the Scriptures speak for themselves. However, this is rarely effective and doesn’t seem to follow the biblical example. The fact is God used personalities to convey inspired truth.
I’m convinced many leaders who lead boring services are not boring people. I’ve met them, talked with them over lunch, and found most are quite enjoyable, even fun. But I’m also convinced that we’ve substituted gloominess for gravitas. It’s simply a learned habit at this point. Frankly, it’a habit that’s hard for me to break as well. But, as Donald Guthrie writes, “a seriousness of purpose particularly suits the dignity of seniors, yet gravity must never be confused with gloominess.” (commentary on Titus 2:1)
So bring gravitas when it’s called for. But leave the habit of gloominess for gloominess’s sake at home.
Ideas for New Habits
As hard as it is to hear, I ask for feedback on the basics often. How did I read today? Was it rushed? Did I blow through commas and periods? Did I add extra words? Read and ask for feedback. Then be humble and DON’T defend yourself.
Know both the words and meaning of what you are reading, please! Stumbling over phrases and words is rather distracting.
Practice the passage. Not only should you practice reading the passage out loud, but just as my young violinists do, you could practice in a mirror. Do you smile? Do you frown?
Listen to great speakers and readers. Note their pacing, pauses, inflections, and their rise and fall in volume. It’s all used to highlight the text.
On the other hand, please don’t bring extra huge smiles, ugly cries, or over the top emotion in order to get others into it. That inspires the opposite and obscures the text. However, do bring at least a little energy to the public reading of the Word. Then, perhaps extend some of those newly learned skills to leading other aspects of the service, such as transitions to hymns, introducing a prayer, etc.
We can all improve. So let’s.