Church Life

Emotion in Preaching

It happened again Sunday. It doesn’t happen often, but I would venture to say that it happens to me more often than the average preacher.

I had to stop for a few moments to gather my emotions.

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After the pause, I mentioned that when I preach on the home, it just plays on my emotions. There are other subjects that touch me, too, but homes and marriages really do it. I know going in that it will probably be another sermon with a few seconds of silence.

But I’ve stopped doing something I used to do. I used to apologize when I would have to stop to gather myself, or even just when my voice became choked up from emotion while preaching. I can say in full honesty that the tears (or getting choked up) have never been forced. They are legitimate, but I’m sure it makes some people feel a bit awkward.

However, as I have tried to improve in preaching, I have stopped apologizing. Here’s why:

I am a person, too.

For some reason, we can get the idea that a preacher–once he’s in “his element” behind the pulpit–becomes a type of robot. All emotions are turned off (except, sometimes, anger!) and he just dispenses information with no emotion tied to it.

However, I try–though I don’t always succeed–to truly be mentally and emotionally invested in what the sermon says, even if I’m the one delivering it. While I’ve “heard” the sermon throughout the days of preparation, I try to listen while I talk, because I want to follow what we often say in prayer: “Take this message and apply it in our everyday lives.”

So, sometimes I cry. Sometimes I laugh–usually at my own tongue getting tangled up. Sometimes, I get angry or frustrated. And it’s all because I am a person, in or out of the pulpit.

While I do not think preachers should prey on emotions, I do think they should have emotions, and it is okay if he must stop for a moment to collect himself. It’s also okay if he laughs at one of his own jokes or mistakes for a few moments. As long as the emotion is legitimate and sincere, it’s just who he is.

COMMENTS: In the comments below this post, share your reactions. Why do you think preachers often feel hesitant to show emotion in the pulpit? Does it bother you when it happens?

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Photo credit: Ludovico Sinz on Creative Commons

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4 Comments

  • Scott McCown

    Adam, authenticity will move a preacher to tears of joy and sorrow. I get emotional when I preach on relationships and especially when I talk about thee cross. Never is this a put on orr act, but always being caught up in the message.

  • Allen Phillips

    I am a very emotional guy and it happens when I preach sometimes usually if I am talking about my family. I don’t apologize. Sometimes I break the ice by asking who is cutting onions on the front row. It doesn’t bother me watching preachers get emotional as long as it is genuine and you can usually tell. Keep up the good work.

  • John

    Although I am one of those people who tries to keep his composure n the pulpit at virtually all times, I do not see any problem with a preacher showing emotion in the pulpit so long as it is sincere.

    If it is feigned emotion then that’s another discussion.