Have a Lot to Say? Avoid These 3 Common Mistakes When You Preach

One of my life’s most significant turning points happened in a small hotel room in Arkansas. My husband and I were on a trip, and he was scheduled to preach at a local church over the weekend. After Saturday night’s service, he fell ill. By Sunday morning, he felt terrible and looked at me, saying, “I may need you to take one of the services.” Without thinking, I blurted out, “I can’t do that; I have nothing to say.” Those words surprised us both, and my husband quickly rebuked me, telling me never to say them again.

This is a common feeling among many women when it comes to speaking. We often feel like we have nothing to say, fear going blank, or worry about speaking too fast or too much. But what if you have the opposite problem? If you tend to go beyond your time, are trying to decide when to stop, or feel like you never have enough time to cover everything, this blog is for you!

Mistake 1: Trying to Pack Everything You Know into One Message

This often stems from a need for more faith or experience. We worry that this might be our only chance to share everything on our hearts, so we cram multiple messages into one. But less is more.

Solution:

Focus on delivering one clear message. Trust that you’ll have more opportunities to speak. The more experience you gain, the better you’ll become at editing your thoughts into concise points.

Mistake 2: Speaking Too Fast to Get Through All Your Notes

A rapid speaking pace can lose your audience. When you rush, listeners tune out quickly, missing key points.

Solution:

Slow down. If it feels like you’re speaking in slow motion, you’re likely at the perfect pace for your audience. Give your message the space it needs to breathe.

Mistake 3: Going Over Your Allotted Time

When you exceed your time limit, you risk losing your audience’s attention and potentially not being invited back to speak.

Solution:

Plan to finish 60 seconds before your time is up. This leaves a lasting impression and respects your audience’s time.

From Mistakes to Success:

• Pick One Point and Repeat It:
  Jesus repeated Himself often to ensure His message was heard. Repetition helps your audience catch what they might have missed.
• Edit Your Notes Multiple Times:
  Before finalizing, go through at least three iterations of your notes. Practice out loud with a timer to refine your timing.
• Drop Points if You’re Running Out of Time:
  It’s better to leave something out than to rush through it. Your audience won’t know what you didn’t cover.

One of the most common mistakes I see when coaching women to communicate the Gospel is trying to fit too much into one message. Women have a lot to say for God, but it’s about learning how to choose the right things to say. Invest in yourself, and receive the training you need to communicate effectively.