Delivering the Sermon: Voice, Body, and Animation in Proclamation

by Teresa L. Fry Brown

Teresa L. Fry Brown introduces preachers to the effective use of voice and body in the animation of the word in the preaching moment. Suggestions and exercises for enhancing voice, diction, and nonverbal engagement of the listener are included in each chapter. These exercises may be used with groups or for individual enhancement of sermon delivery. Delivering the Sermon combines the latest research in communications, speech pathology, and homiletics with the author's own experience as a speech language pathologist to enable preachers to improve their effectiveness in preaching. The book is keyed to online sermon samples and other Web-based features such as sermon illustrations and art.

Genres: Theology

100 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Kelsey Grissom · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. At times Fry Brown can seem to be overcomplicating things, such as when she draws on her background as a speech pathologist to write in great detail about types of mispronunciations. Mostly, though, this is a thorough and well-organized book that highlights several important aspects of preaching that most other preaching texts neglect. The book also includes some really great exercises that I will use in my 400-level preaching class. If you didn’t have the privilege of taking a class from Fry Brown at Candler (as I did), this book is well worth a read as a refresher, especially on the physical body’s necessity in and connection to preaching.

[Lisa Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This honestly would have been a great book had i not gotten a degree in communication. The author tells you everything you need to know about the communication process adn how to be effective, down to how the proper sending of a message works, and how we can effectively get that message to a listener. Its very detailed in its discussion of the communication channel. Any seminairan without previous communication education or public speaking courses should definitely give it a read!

[Rob O'Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid introduction to the delivery mechanics of preaching. A major strength of the book are the exercises at the end of the book.

One limitation are the snapshots at the beginning of each chapter. Their place is obvious -- to highlight what will be discussed in the chapter -- however, I think this could have been done better.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In addition to her experience as a homiletics professor, Dr. Fry Brown has also taught and practiced in the field of speech-language pathology. This book is grounded in her "expertise in phonation and sound production, human transmission systems, sound perception or hearing, and acoustic, physiological, psychological, and linguistic phenomena of human speech." Here Dr. Fry Brown discusses a broad spectrum of communication elements--from a person's idiolect, body language and breathing habits to proximity, communication disruptions, and cultural considerations in the use of language and speaking. This is an accessible, excellent survey of the science and art of religious speaking with practical exercises for self critique (and/or peer critique if used in a group).

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does a great job in giving the preacher a space to contemplate their delivery while preaching. This book will not give you all the answers nor will give you much advice but it does give you tools so you may evaluate yourself. At the end of the day the moral of the story is to ask yourself if your delivery matches your context. There is no right or wrong answers but we must ask ourselves if our delivery makes the gospel accessible or does it push people away.

I have gained much from this series so far, because of the practical nature and was hoping for more practical insight from this one. The technical terms and quotes from public speaking specialists is more interesting than it is helpful.

[Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on African American preaching. So many wonderful insight that can help a preacher or public speaker.