Here are the top reasons why I like to preach from a manuscript:
- Words are fun to play with, but you should do it before you start speaking.
- It’s easier (and more likely) to get to where you are going if you map it out beforehand.
- It’s nice to have an anchor point to come back to when you feel led in a new direction as you speak.
- When written well, the spoken word has a meter, a rhythm, a cadence, a beat that piques interest and holds the listeners’ attention.
- Without it, I tend to ramble….
- A well-planned manuscript fits better in a well-planned worship service.
- A thoughtfully constructed manuscript ensures that the “main thing” remains the “main thing.”
- It’s impossible to edit your words after you say them.
- Just like in publishing, it’s easier to cut than to pad.
- It guarantees having distinct beginning and ending points in preparation and presentation.