Leadership training - Lesson 4

By Stafford North

Making Announcements Effectively

Purpose:

To inform the class about how to make announcements more effectively so they can convey to the audience the proper meaning and motivation the announcements require.

Introduction:

  1. The announcements are probably the most poorly done part of most services.
  2. Announcements can be part of the worship if done well because they can edify and encourage attendance and good works. Subject Sentence: Like any other part of the worship, announcements become effective only when done well.

Body:

    1. Prepare the Announcements Well.
      1. Announce only what is of general interest and is related to the church members and their activities; eliminate announcements whenever possible.
      2. Check in advance for announcements about visitors, the sick, special events, changes in regular procedure, and reports on church activities.
      3. Do not ask, “Are there any other announcements?” for if there are, you should have gotten them to start with.
      4. Know the purpose of each announcement - to inform, to stimulate, to actuate - and make your announcement to achieve the purpose.
        1. You may just wish to inform the congregation that some member is ill and therefore not present.
          1. You may wish to stimulate or inspire the congregation by announcing that the mission program, which you support, has met with some unusual success.
          2. You may wish to actuate the members to attend a special visitation night during the week.
          3. Get all the facts for each announcement down on paper: who, what, when, where, why.
          4. Arrange the announcements in good order.
            1. Deliver the Announcements Well.
              1. If the announcements come first, start on time.
              2. Be dignified, but friendly and sincere.
              3. Make the announcements as brief and definite as possible.
              4. Emphasize the essential material and put the name of the group concerned at the first.
                1. “The teachers of all pre-school classes will meet?”
                2. “The Young Adult Class will have a special meeting on Tuesday night to?.”
              5. Avoid the usual ruts and worn out phrases
              6. Instead of saying - “We wish to welcome those who are visiting with us today and we would like to call the names of all of you; but for fear that we might overlook some we will not call the names of any” - say “We welcome those visiting with us today and we hope you will be with us again when you have the opportunity.
              7. Instead of saying: “Remember our services tonight at six and on Wednesday at 7:30” - say “The sermon subject for tonight is:. And I am sure you will find it profitable to be here, that’s tonight at six.”

Conclusion:

    1. Make the necessary announcements in a clear, dignified, friendly manner.
    2. Make the announcements so they will fit into the overall pattern of the assembly.
    3. Here are some samples.
  1. The elders and deacons (who placed first) will meet (what) on Tuesday night at 7:00 (when) in the church office (where) for their regular monthly meeting (why).
    1. Sister Jo Anne Smith is in Mercy Hospital, Room 301, where she is recovering from minor surgery. She will be glad to have visitors. You can encourage her with a call. That’s Mercy Hospital, Room 301.
      1. The 21st Street Congregation begins a meeting today. Brother Jackson Brown, from South Hill, California, will preach each morning at 10 and each evening at 7:30. The meeting will last through next Sunday. You will remember that the 21st Street Congregation gave excellent support to our meeting and we will help both them and ourselves by attending every service we can.
        1. Practice making announcements as taught in this lesson and let the teacher give you a critique based on the accompanying suggestions sheet.

        Name ___________

        Did the student look at the audience before beginning? Yes No

        Was the essential information included in the announcements? Yes No

        Were the announcements clear and concise? Yes No

        Did the student look at the audience while speaking? Yes No

        Did the student stand comfortably erect while speaking? Yes No

        Did the student exhibit nervous mannerisms while speaking? Yes No

        Remarks:

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