Getting Into Character: The Art of First-Person Narrative Preaching
In his discussion of writing, Garner reminds us of an important reality that applies to other sermons as well as narratives: “People do not write like they talk. A term paper for an honors class and a conversation with a neighbor are often radically-different discourses—and they should be! . . . Effective preachers tend to employ a more conversational style of delivery that allows the listeners to feel as though they are part of the conversation.” In first-person narratives, such a style is essential because “you are taking on the voice of a flesh-and-blood human being, and interpersonal discourse is always conversational in nature. If you don’t learn to write like you talk, or as you envision your character talking, your efforts to communicate character will be futile.”
While many such sermon attempts involve costumes, Garner discourages their use in preaching, noting that “Costumes, props, and sets hold tremendous power over the audience; if you misuse them you will lose your audience. If your Abraham is dressed in a shepherd’s costume from last year’s Christmas pageant, your first-person narrative will be about the shepherd’s costume. If Abraham enters the sanctuary wearing sunglasses and talking on a cell phone, the dramatic monologue will be about the sunglasses and the cell phone. Our goal in every sermon is to help focus people on the Word of God; don’t distract them from God’s Word with a poor attempt at a costume or the awkward use of a prop.”
Getting Into Character will help equip the pastor who desires to teach via first-person narrative by taking on the voice of biblical characters. The book equips pastors to deliver dramatic sermons without being an actor.
Getting into Character will be helpful for pastors and seminary students looking to expand their styles and pastors who want to perfect their storytelling skills.