Making mistakes are a part of developing the skill of speaking. The more reps you get in, the more mistakes you will make. The more mistakes you make, the more you learn. The more you learn, the more you will come to love speaking. Pinky promise!

Although mistakes are inevitable when you are learning to speak for God effectively, there are a few easy ones you can avoid making the hard way as long as you are aware of them. Keep reading to find out!

Avoid these 4 Rookie Mistakes when Preaching

1. Dressing in a Distracting Way

   • if you dress in a way that is distracting, you will lose your audience.

     • This includes wearing designer shoes and clothes.

     • Skip out on super high heels, jackets you keep tugging on, and dangling/noisy jewelry.

   • If you care more about your outfit then the oil you are carrying, you’re focused on the wrong thing.

     • Don’t get so caught up in the carnal flesh that you forget what you are carrying.

     • If all you hear after you preach is how cool/cute your outfit is, you missed it.

2. Trying to Pack EVERYTHING you know into One Single Message

   • Do not make the mistakes of thinking your audience can take in ALL you know about this one topic in under 30 minutes.

     • This forces you to speak super fast in order to get to all your notes.

     • Which leads to going over your time in order to say everything you want to say.

   • This comes from not believing you will have more opportunities to speak.

     • Trust God to continue to open doors for your voice to be heard

     • EDIT. EDIIT. EDIT. and then EDIT AGAIN.

3. Relying on Technology to Share your Message

   • Using your an i-pad or computer is a major distraction to your audience.

     • The sheer presence of a device causes your audiences mind to wonder.

     • They will subconsciously desire to check their own devices.

   • Bring up a hard copy Bible and hard copy notes.

     • This way you are not worried about a screen dying, going blank or someone calling you in the middle of your message!

     • ALL of which have happened to me! Not fun!

4. Way Over Stimulating your Audience

   • Most newbie speakers feel an unconscious need to over do it in order to “prove” they are worth listening to.

     • You do not need props, a powerpoint, hand outs, an activation, prayer, and a band behind you all in one message.

     • I have been in this kind of meeting and was absolutely overwhelmed to the point of anxiety.

   • You will never remember the timing of all of that or be able to pull it off in a smooth manner. It’s too much.

     • Pick one thing to focus on and do that well before adding anything else in the mix.

     • Just because other speakers do this does not mean you are ready or even need to do this at all.

There you have it, the 4 rookie mistakes to avoid when preaching. You’re welcome! I used the lessons I learned the hard way, after 14+ years of speaking to give you a leg up. And I am happy to do it! Any time I can take the “rub” out of speaking for God I will. However, please know, you are guaranteed no matter how experienced you are to slip up every now and then.

This doesn’t mean anything other than you’re human. Embrace the mistakes and know that when you open your mouth God will move despite your mess ups.

Then the LORD asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? 12Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” Exodus 4:11-12

If you want to know more about setting yourself up for success in communicating the Gospel, check out our four day hands on and interactive training, The Echo Weekend.

The best way to develop your voice is to invest in your voice. Every time you invest in your own voice, your family, your community, and your world improve. I believe in your voice! This is a weekend you do not want to miss!!!

Amie