To tell a story or not - AKMA [finally :-) ] posted his thoughts on the use of illustrations in preaching. From my initial reading it seems that he is against the capricious use of illustrations [short stories that are used to underline a point], yet believes that their appropriate use is warranted.
AKMA doesn't actually go into the "why's" and "wherefore's" of the use of illustrations - in either secular or sacred oratory.
My own perspective is that I never make a point without using at least one illustration. This may be in the form of a quotation, a joke, a "Chicken Soup for the Soul" type story, an anecdote, or a personal example of the application of the point being made in my own life.
One writer said that "illustrations are the hooks on which one hangs ones message." The apostle Paul said "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."
In my early days as a speaker and preacher I thought that my profound exposition of a passage of scripture, or my succinct application of research data was enough to make a persuasive point and have my audience or congregation profoundly affected.
Then I received some wise counsel and opened my eyes and ears to the messages I was regularly receiving and began to evaluate why some messages were more interesting, better received and remembered more than others. I discovered that the illustration or story is the cord that binds the talk together. I imagine that for some this may sound strange - that ones thoughts should be able to stand on their own feet. The three point alliterated sermon or the acrostic message should be remembered in its own right.
Sometimes they are. Sometime they are not.
For me now - I always use illustrations. Many are sourced from the web and the books I have on my shelves. Sometimes they are not perfect for the point in which they are being used to help make. Does that matter - it doesn't seem to.
One of my beliefs [and I guess skills] is that I can draw out any point from any context. This has been borne out over twenty years of working with children - delivering children's programs, messages, devotions, workshops etc - where illustrations abound in the moment to moment interactions.
Mike Minnix tells the story of a man who was walking a pit bull down the road. The dog got away and walked up to a preacher and bit him on the knee. Then the dog went across the street and bit a beautiful young woman. The owner was brought before a judge who asked, "Why did your dog bite the preacher?" The man answered, "I don't know! He's never done anything like that before." Then the judge asked, "Well why did he bite the young woman?" The owner replied, "Oh that's easy to answer! He wanted to get the taste of that preacher out of his mouth!"
To be an effective communicator, our verbal messages need to be memorable, they need to make their points persuasively and they need to be able to connect with the audience at a heart level - not just a head level. Otherwise we may meet the fate of that preacher - where people can't wait to forget about what they've heard us say.
6:43:42 AM 
|
