Nov. 30, 2007, Grand Rapids, Mich. - A group of Christian Reformed Church preachers and lay leaders are honing their speaking skills this week by, among other things, watching film clips from movies such as "The Wizard of Oz."
During a four-day seminar at the CRC's Grand Rapids offices, the ministers and lay leaders are attending a series of seminars on topics ranging from integrating humor into their sermons and presentations to learning how to use anecdotes, illustrations and stories to make their presentations of the gospel more compelling.
They also have the chance to practice preaching in front of a video camera and to meet one-on-one with communications specialists.
On Thursday morning, they watched as the Cowardly Lion in the vintage film "The Wizard of Oz" used animated gestures and facial expressions as he spoke and sang about his need for courage.
"The Cowardly Lion uses his whole body and his voice in the clip," trainer Byron Emmert told the group that was brought together by the Great Lakes Ministry Team of Christian Reformed Home Missions.
"We need to use the whole body that God gave us to communicate more effectively before groups or in church," said Emmert, a trainer for Dynamic Communications Workshops, a Tennessee-based organization that put on the program. "We want you to get comfortable with the gifts that God has given you - your eyes, your face, your body."
Ben Becksvoort, regional leader for Homes Missions Great Lakes Region, says the seminar is only one approach that regional teams are using to train church leaders in preaching, teaching and to starting new churches. But he said it seems to be an especially effective tool. The seminar runs through Saturday.
Pastor David Beelen of Madison Square CRC in Grand Rapids brought along some lay preachers from his congregation. He said the seminar provides solid, practical advice on how to preach and teach the message of Christ, in church and elsewhere.
Emmert, who is also on the national staff for Youth for Christ, also spoke about the need to preach forcefully and from the heart. "I'm sure that Moses was using his full force and volume and the spirit of God when he spoke to his people after coming down from the mountain with the Ten Commandments," he said.
To learn more about Christian Reformed Home Missions, visit www.crhm.org <http://www.crhm.org/> .
- By Chris Meehan, CRC Communications
...................
Henry Hess
Director of Communication
Christian Reformed Church
To learn more about the Christian Reformed Church visit us at www.crcna.org <http://www.crcna.org
"It is a serious waste to let a day go by without allowing God to change us."-Richard Rolle, The Fire of Love