How to Wake Up your Audience

Today’s story should go a long way to explaining why it’s important to do your own legwork when you’re speaking, preaching, or as I like to say, “Just talking really hard.”

A minister decided to visit a large church in a nearby city while he was on vacation. Before the service began he introduced himself to the preacher and explained that he was intrigued with the church’s growth and was there to find out why it was so popular.

“I think I can help you,” the resident preacher said. “One thing I like to do is to insert a gotcha story whenever my congregation’s attention begins to drift. Just pay attention this morning and you’ll see what I mean.”

Sure enough, the reverend wasn’t five minutes into his sermon when some rustling was heard around the sanctuary. Pausing dramatically, the reverend said, “Dear friends, some of the best hours of my life have been spent in the arms of another man’s wife. And I’m about to confess as to who that was.” Wow. You could hear the proverbial pen had it dropped on carpet. With nary a smile to give it away, the reverend added, “That woman was my mother.”

The visiting preacher noted that the congregation laughed appreciatively. “Aha!” he said to himself. “I can do that.”

He was back in his own pulpit the following Sunday and knee-deep into his sermon when he noticed he realized that he was losing the congregation’s interest. It was time.

“Dear friends,” he said in his most solemn tone. “I feel compelled to stop here and admit to y’all that some of the happiest hours of my life have been spent in the arms of another man’s wife.” All eyes were immediately upon him. The good preacher paused. He had forgotten the punch line! He searched his brain frantically until at last he had to admit, “But for the life of me, I can’t remember who it was.”

Hugs,
Shellie