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Finding My Voice to Minister

By Stephanie Nance

By the time I graduated from high school and went to college, I had come to a conclusion: the one with the loudest voice gets heard. A naturally soft-spoken person, I often struggled to be heard above those who were louder. In addition to a soft voice, I carried a slight lisp, a paralyzing fear of public performance, a tendency to get tongue tied, and a shy, introverted personality. With such an array of stellar qualifications in tow, I answered God's call to preach the gospel and timidly stepped into the ministry.

Ministry proved to be fertile ground for personal growth; however, 3 years ago, I sensed God calling me out of pastoral ministry into a season of intense development through seminary. God's desire was to further develop my voice to minister. With that purpose in mind, I went to seminary with specific steps to aid me in this endeavor.

Although God physically uprooted me for this purpose, you do not have to study at a seminary to develop your voice for ministry. Perhaps, a few of the steps that I have used can assist you in your voice develop where you currently live and minister.

Consider Voice Lessons. My first year of seminary, I began to seek a vocal coach. In a class, I became acquainted with an articulate woman who had been a professional singer and vocal teacher. She agreed to start teaching again so that I could develop my speaking voice through proper breath control and sound intonation. At the same time, I also began to read books written by voice coaches on how to maximize vocal delivery. You do not have to be a singer to benefit from voice lessons. Just a few lessons will get you on the right track to voice improvement.

Study Theology. The investment to further my theological studies is one I will not regret. When I wrestle through my studies to grasp a theological truth, I find that I communicate that knowledge with clarity, conciseness, and confidence. A part of my studies includes a large amount of paper writing. To analyze a subject enough to write extensively about it increases my articulation behind the pulpit. Today, most schools offer distant learning options for those who cannot attend a campus. Participation in a class will solidify your theology and develop your thought process, which will influence your ability to speak, teach, and preach better.

Self-Evaluation. My preaching classes at school are recorded with a video camera so that I can personally evaluate each sermon that I deliver. These self-evaluations remind me that communication involves more than the ability to speak. Every movement I make communicates to my audience. Before such an endeavor, you need to know that nothing is as painfully honest as a video. It forces you to see the good and the bad of all your facial expressions, gestures, and body language. Any investment that you make in a video camera for the purpose of self-evaluation will pay off for you almost immediately behind the pulpit.

Develop a Cohort. The development of a cohort of ministers to help me grow as a communicator is not something I anticipated while at seminary. I have obtained lifelong friends who share my passion to effectively communicate the gospel. We have a commitment to help each other accomplish that. As a woman in ministry, one of the greatest voice sharpening tools that you have access to is the Network for Women in Ministry. Through this network, you can surround yourself with a cohort of women who will dedicate themselves to help you find and develop your voice to minister.

Study Experts. I have spent countless hours the last few years listening to various preachers and speakers. I download video or audio files to my iPod® and listen to them while on the treadmill or in the car. The observation of other communicators will allow you to see the different communication styles that God uses. One only needs to pay attention to the past political season to see how powerful communication skills can be in delivering a message.

Obtain a Mentor. If you took all of the previous steps and combined them, they still could not come close to the role that my mentor has played in my life. For 8 months I was able to sit down with my mentor on a weekly basis and discuss various aspects of my preaching, teaching, and spiritual growth. I cannot put into words how God used mentorship for my personal and professional development. If you can do only one thing to develop yourself, get a mentor.

As I graduate with my master's degree this December, I know it is not a loud voice that I need in order to be heard in life. My voice is simply a tool used to deliver a message that must be heard. The voice is mine; the message is God's. A well-developed voice will allow for God's message to be delivered with the utmost respect that it deserves.

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