I'm hoping Steve will chime in here due to his vast experience, but others are more than welcomed. One of our pastors recently asked me to teach a lecture series for the church. This particular pastor feels I'm qualified based on having attended a few of my bible studies. I have no problem will small groups but for some reason I feel greatly unqualified to teach the whole congregation.
The main thing I have going against me is that I'm not a trained orater with some kind of theology degree. In fact, when I teach group bible studies I simply talk to the students as if I would talk to anyone else. But getting up on a stage feels like performing and that kind of takes the fun out of it. It also puts me in the public eye and I feel very awkward teaching older people, being that I'm fairly young. Has anyone been in similar situations? I really feel that I can address a lot of things that I see wrong in our church by becoming a teaching pastor, but the responsibility of doing so feels like a bit of a burden.
A Question for Public Teachers
A Question for Public Teachers
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Just haul an easy-chair up on the platform and take a load off. No reason it has to be a big formal thing.
Alternatively, you could go with a stool. I attended a church once where the pastor always taught from a stool with a music stand beside him. It felt like learning at the knee of an uncle rather than getting lectured.
On the other hand, teaching in front of my church would scare the pee outta me (and I'm up there singing once a month)....
Alternatively, you could go with a stool. I attended a church once where the pastor always taught from a stool with a music stand beside him. It felt like learning at the knee of an uncle rather than getting lectured.
On the other hand, teaching in front of my church would scare the pee outta me (and I'm up there singing once a month)....
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Hey JC
I've been on staff at a church for 3+ years now and i still don't really enjoy the 'pulpit'. I much prefer teaching in small groups. Most sunday mornings I teach a Sunday School class of 5-10. Sunday & Wednesday nights I teach about 30 people, but they all sit in the back pews and i simply stand in one of the middle pews and it's very informal. Thursday nights I teach to a group of 5-10 men, but we just sit around a table.
This Sunday I'll be preaching in the morning, which is 'pulpit preaching'. I agree with Seth that if you feel comfortable doing so, it'd be cool to get out from behind the pulpit and use a stool or something. Maybe it depends on the size of the congregation.
Other than that, the cliche 'practice makes perfect' is quite usable. I am a very shy/timid person who hated to be in front of anyone. At first i simply forced myself to do it b/c I felt God wanted me to. In time it became more natural.
Don't feel awkward because of your age unless you plan on preaching merely personal nuggets of wisdom! God's Word is much older than anyone in the room
If you preach the Word, you have the authority of Christ behind you.
Be encouraged by your pastor providing this window of opportunity. Perhaps he does a gift for public teaching in you and it'd be a shame to waste that gift. It, indeed, is a great responsibility, so you have the right attitude being cautious before going forward.
I've been on staff at a church for 3+ years now and i still don't really enjoy the 'pulpit'. I much prefer teaching in small groups. Most sunday mornings I teach a Sunday School class of 5-10. Sunday & Wednesday nights I teach about 30 people, but they all sit in the back pews and i simply stand in one of the middle pews and it's very informal. Thursday nights I teach to a group of 5-10 men, but we just sit around a table.
This Sunday I'll be preaching in the morning, which is 'pulpit preaching'. I agree with Seth that if you feel comfortable doing so, it'd be cool to get out from behind the pulpit and use a stool or something. Maybe it depends on the size of the congregation.
Other than that, the cliche 'practice makes perfect' is quite usable. I am a very shy/timid person who hated to be in front of anyone. At first i simply forced myself to do it b/c I felt God wanted me to. In time it became more natural.
Don't feel awkward because of your age unless you plan on preaching merely personal nuggets of wisdom! God's Word is much older than anyone in the room
If you preach the Word, you have the authority of Christ behind you.Be encouraged by your pastor providing this window of opportunity. Perhaps he does a gift for public teaching in you and it'd be a shame to waste that gift. It, indeed, is a great responsibility, so you have the right attitude being cautious before going forward.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Hemingway once said: 'The world is a fine place and worth fighting for'
I agree with the second part (se7en)
I agree with the second part (se7en)
Re: A Question for Public Teachers
Perfect! Now you're ready to be used by GodJC wrote:I have no problem will small groups but for some reason I feel greatly unqualified to teach the whole congregation.
The main thing I have going against me is that I'm not a trained orater with some kind of theology degree.
Actually, training, degrees and experience can puff us up and prevent us from relying on God like we should.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
It is a blessing and an honor (and a heavy responsibility) to teach others! I can tell from your posts on this forum that you are good at succinctly communicating. However, just because the number of people listening is different, doesn't mean the teaching is more or less important.
Don't feel the need to change your style. Just be yourself and strive to communicate as best as you can. You're only performing if you decide to do so.
Remember, its not how good you are, but what the Holy Spirit will speak to those listening.
I'll leave you some words and another verse:
Authenticity, clarity, accuracy, simplicity, humility
1 Timothy 4:11-16
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Dave
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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JC-- what is the lecture series about? do you know yet? and when will it take place? sunday morning? or another type of service?
TK
TK
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
"Were not our hearts burning within us? (Lk 24:32)
Seems to me that is what Moses said to God....
Who me I cant even talk!
I have been in several of Steve Gregg's meetings in a home
or church, he is very relaxed and after teaching opens up
for questions and discussion.
Who me I cant even talk!
I have been in several of Steve Gregg's meetings in a home
or church, he is very relaxed and after teaching opens up
for questions and discussion.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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Reason:
I really appriciate all the counsel and encouragement from everyone. The series I'm teaching will be geared to Christian singles, although I've been married for four years and don't remember being single.
I guess a big concern is that I don't really preach, nor am I a fan of formal preaching (can I get an amen!) However, my church is really into that kind of thing. I'm just a lay person who's read through the bible a few times and understands a verse or two. I do enjoy speaking to groups now (although I didn't in the beginning) but commanding the stage and getting a rise out of the crowd is not something I do well.
I have a few weeks to prepare for the series so I can apply the advice that's been given on this thread. I really appreciate it.
I guess a big concern is that I don't really preach, nor am I a fan of formal preaching (can I get an amen!
) However, my church is really into that kind of thing. I'm just a lay person who's read through the bible a few times and understands a verse or two. I do enjoy speaking to groups now (although I didn't in the beginning) but commanding the stage and getting a rise out of the crowd is not something I do well.I have a few weeks to prepare for the series so I can apply the advice that's been given on this thread. I really appreciate it.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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Reason:
JC wrote:
TK
sounds like it's time to shake things up a bit, and you're just the guy to do it!However, my church is really into that kind of thing.
TK
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
"Were not our hearts burning within us? (Lk 24:32)
TK, perhaps you're right. Time will certainly tell. The church I attend is actually a bit of a rarity. We are a very charismatic church but we're non-dispensational and non-Calvanistic.
Our head pastor went to a Presbyterian seminary but believes in the spiritual gifts. So, theologically speaking, we're a mixed breed mut. Personally, I kind of like it that way.
Our head pastor went to a Presbyterian seminary but believes in the spiritual gifts. So, theologically speaking, we're a mixed breed mut. Personally, I kind of like it that way.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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sounds like my church, except that i wish we were more charismatic. that is one part of the equation i have never really experienced.
TK
TK
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
"Were not our hearts burning within us? (Lk 24:32)