You can plan your preaching but can’t plan what happens when you preach. Every preacher has encountered unplanned or unexpected interruptions while preaching. Here are four basic principles to recall when facing those distractions:
1) Many Distractions Should Be Ignored
It’s best to ignore most noises while preaching. For example, the sudden cry of a baby should not interrupt the preacher’s exposition. Most members expect their pastor to continue preaching, even if he must increase his volume. Ringing cell phones and message alerts fall into this same category. If the preacher becomes addled by every sound, he increases the likelihood of losing his hearers as they also become agitated. Ignoring distractions includes not calling attention to individuals who themselves are the source of distractions. Drawing attention to them only brings discomfort to the congregation and makes for unsettling worship moments.
2) Some Distractions Can Be Addressed With Humor
Sometimes, preachers can use humor to address interruptions. A frightening thunderclap jarring the auditorium on a stormy morning almost begs for the pastor to say something about hearing an “amen” from God. And when the sanctuary illumines after a brief power outage, more than one preacher has uttered the phrase, “And God said, ‘Let there be light.'” Responses like these put many listeners at ease and help hold their attention. Humor may also address odd interruptions that are difficult to ignore. Once, while I was preaching, a bird flew into the sanctuary and stood on the altar! There was little I could do but look over at the bird and smile. While I might have become angry or tried in vain to continue preaching, that bird had everyone’s attention, so we just watched it briefly until it finally disappeared into the rafters. It was an odd interruption, to be sure, but a little laughter eased us back into the sermon.
3) Other Distractions Require Immediate Attention
Naturally, the sounding of a fire alarm or weather siren demands we stop preaching and follow protocol for exiting the auditorium. Similarly, if a member suddenly collapses to the ground or passes out, we should ensure proper care is given immediately. While emergency medical services are contacted or while volunteers offer aid, the preacher should ask the congregation to pray. On a less serious note, the annoying “pops” or scratchy sounds from a faulty microphone should be addressed immediately. It may seem awkward to stop preaching for a moment to fix a microphone, but it is far more awkward to continue preaching as though it were not a problem.
4) All Distractions Should Be Reviewed
While many distractions can be ignored during the sermon, every distraction should be addressed later in the appropriate setting. Discussing them in weekly staff meetings or with other church leaders is the best way to review the interruption and consider possible plans to prevent or minimize future distractions.
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