How to Implement the Audiobook Preaching Principle
Yep, this one is simple, too.
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You probably know you can adjust the listening speed from the normal 1.0 voice speed setting to 1.25, 1.5, or even 2.0, and faster.
To understand the audiobook preaching principle, listen to an audiobook at 1.5 speed for a few minutes. Then, try 1.25. Finally, place the setting on regular.
Which is easier to absorb for the listener?
Normal, conversational speed.
It’s actually mentally taxing and draining to keep up with a higher speed setting.
This is why people can follow a conversational speed of speech for longer and digest conversational speed more easily.
Again, this does not mean there are no times when it is appropriate to get more intense and rapid, to raise your voice of lower it — especially if you’re planning a pause.
We’ll talk more about the power of the pause in another episode.
For now, it may help to recognize that we speak more quickly when we’re nervous or disorganized.
Writing out a complete, word-for-word sermon manuscript will help on both fronts, whether you have it with you to preach or not. I’ve got more to say about manuscripts, but that’s also in another video.
The point here is that, when you know exactly where you’re going in a message, you’re able to slow down because a clear map puts the preacher and listener at ease as they prepare for the homiletical journey.
But remember, the reason why we want to slow down to communicate more effectively is not primarily to improve our oratorical ability. Yes, it will help with that. But the main reason is so we might clearly present the fullness of God’s grace in Jesus.
So, if you tend to speak faster than the normal audiobook setting, try slowing down a bit and see what happens. 🙂
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