It happened again.
At a recent function, I met a preacher who’s been preaching for many years.
We’d only met only once before, but with eyes down and fidgeting a bit as he shifted his weight from side to side, he asked me the same question I’ve been asked countless times: “What’s your opinion about preaching without notes?”
I inferred that he was a manuscript preacher, and sensed a bit of shame.
I guessed he’d probably felt uneasy about his preferred style for years.
In response, I offered the opinion that I’ve offered countless times: “You’re the preacher; you decide. You’re the only one who knows what lets you be as free and present as possible to proclaim the gospel.”
His body relaxed, he looked me in the eye, and seemed relieved.
Normalizing choices, concerns, and feelings
His question was only partially about one’s preaching preferences.
His body language and the question itself implied layers of questions under the question, including:
Is it okay that I preach with a manuscript?
Am I a lesser preacher if I preach with a manuscript?
Do I still belong in the “guild” of preachers if I preach with a manuscript, or should I keep this information to myself?
I feel a little ashamed that I preach with a manuscript; am I the only one?
I’d like to check with someone who would know: is the way I feel normal?
Where’s a safe place to check in about how I’m feeling?
Likewise, my response was layered with many responses:
You’re okay whether you preach with a manuscript, notes, or nothing.
Your choice—whatever is best for you—does not make you less or more than any other preacher.
You’re part of us no matter what you choose.
No, you’re not the only one who feels a bit ashamed about using a manuscript or notes. That’s all the more reason to talk about it.
Yes, the way you’re feeling is normal, because feelings are normal.
I want to affirm and encourage you to be brave by choosing to lean into what you know about yourself and your context that no one else knows.
We all need a sacred community to share our concerns and anxieties about preaching, because that’s where we grow in grounded confidence and develop genuine connection between us as preachers.
Developing Grounded Confidence
“Grounded confidence” is a term articulated by Brené Brown from her research. She describes it as follows:
Knowing and applying the language of human experience and emotion
Practicing courage
Rumbling with vulnerability
Staying curious
Practicing humility
Committing to mastery and practice
Feeling embodied and connected to self
(Brown, Brené. Atlas of the Heart (p. 301). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.)
In the brief conversation I had with the preacher, I heard these elements of grounded confidence:
He practiced courage in asking a sensitive question.
He rumbled with vulnerability not knowing how I would respond.
He practiced humility in being willing to hear a perspective that might differ from his own.
Grounded Confidence Leads to Meaningful Connection
The practice of grounded confidence helps us develop meaningful connections to build the body of Christ.
This preacher and I experienced genuine and meaningful connection as a result of his courage and vulnerability. He expressed a nagging anxiety. I, in turn, expressed confidence in him knowing himself well enough to choose the best preaching method for his style.
I hope, as a result, his preaching flourishes in spreading the good news as he embraces what works for him and ceases to worry about whether it’s “right” or not.
How to kill confidence and community
Conversely, when we insist that preaching with or without notes is the “right” way to preach, we aren’t exhibiting grounded confidence.
We’re undermining confidence and the development of meaningful connections with each other.
Of course, this applies more broadly than just the question of preaching with or without notes.
This principle applies to any opinion we hold that gets our “blood up” enough that we tell instead of ask.
Think of preachers’ opinions about when and how often to preach a “prophetic” sermon, or whether to offer a prayer as an immediate preamble to the sermon, or whether you should tell personal stories, etc., etc..
We undermine community and our own grounded confidence when we declare more often than ask, when we are certain rather than curious.
Asking questions to establish a community of grounded confidence
When we ask questions to learn more, we practice staying curious and engaging others with humility:
I wonder…
I’m curious…
Can you tell me more?
Imagine what would happen between preachers if…
…we suspended judgement about how we preach, or stopped assuming motives, or no longer insisted that our own way is the right way for another preacher—and instead listened to each other’s questions, experiences, and struggles?
…we normalized the self-doubt we all face and sought to build up and affirm the unique gifts within each other.
…we buoyed each other to ascend the pulpit in courageous, vulnerable, humble confidence.
Grounded confidence.
Confidence that each one of us is called by God, endowed with authority to proclaim the good news by God and church, and asked to preach the gospel only we can preach in the way only we can preach it.
Encouraging growth, best practices, and skill development, yes.
But always in service of the preacher’s call, and always in faith that the preacher can discern what works for them.
This kind of sharing, learning, normalizing, perspective-seeking, and solidarity is the foundation of a thriving community.
And we preachers need this kind of sacred space to practice grounded confidence.
After all, isn’t this what we hope for in the communities we serve?
As leaders, we do well by going first to practice what we preach.
A Community of Grounded Confidence for New Preachers & Recent Grads
Transition & Thrive
Download the guide with all program details.
While insecurities plague all preachers, new preachers and recent seminary graduates can be especially prone to self-doubt and anxiety.
Especially as they transition out of training and into their first call.
That’s why we created Transition & Thrive, a one-year preaching community for new preachers and recent grads.
Over the course of a year, you’ll have the chance to practice grounded confidence and develop meaningful connections with other preachers.
During monthly coaching sessions guided by Backstory Preaching Mentor and Clergy Coach, the Rev’d Caroline Penhale, you’ll navigate the unique challenges of a first call, covering topics like:
how to discern the unspoken expectations of your congregation
how to negotiate your sermon prep time in your ministry context
how to exegete your congregation
how to protect sermon prep time in the midst of the ever-changing daily world of parish life
and more
Participation includes a year of membership in The Collective+ plus a year of small group coaching, all for the price of a Collective+ membership.
You can find all the program details in our free guide to navigating a new call.
We encourage you to share this with the new preachers in your life!