Great sacrament meetings services start with great planning. The ward council (which includes the bishopric) suggests themes and speakers. The bishopric confirms the topics and invites the members to speak. How that invitation to speak is extended and how bishoprics follow up are critical. How we prepare someone to speak in sacrament meeting should be commensurate with the sacredness of the meeting.
May I share some practical tips I’ve learned about inviting sacrament speakers through my own good and bad experiences?
1. Invite the potential speaker early and as simple as possible.
If you complicate this first step of extending an invitation to speak it will naturally get put off and then you run the risk of inviting someone with very little time to prepare. I have found it easy to put the invitation in an email and send it out 4-6 weeks in advance (maybe even longer). You can then invite them to chat further on the phone or in person later. But getting the invitation out there with plenty of time helps people mentally prepare and doesn’t add unneeded pressure if they are not comfortable with public speaking and need to turn down the offer. If they say no, you still have plenty of time to ask someone else.
2. Send them written guidelines
Provide an email follow-up to the speaker very quickly after the invitation is accepted. This email reiterates the topic, links to suggested reference material, and provides an opportunity for a little training. Here are examples of written invitations that 3 different bishoprics have used (feel free to copy/paste and adjust for your own use):
Example 1:
Dear Brother/Sister ___________,
This email is just to follow-up on the sacrament meeting speaking assignment you so kindly accepted for [insert date].
Please plan for a _____ minute talk on the topic of _____________.
We suggest the following conference talk or scriptures as primary reference material:
[links here] Remember, your talk is not about the conference talk(s) referenced, but about the theme of the conference talk.
Given the sacred nature of our Sacrament Meeting worship, we suggest the following:
- Prepare spiritually. Prayerfully study the referenced talk(s) and scriptures. Seek inspiration to be guided in what you teach.
- Teach and testify of the truths you are sharing. Stick to the assigned topic as guided by the Spirit. Tie the topic back to Christ, his love and his atonement. Invite us to act!
- Please avoid using visual aides, sharing how or when the bishopric invited you to speak or how you prepared your talk. Don’t apologize for any nervousness or inadequacies you feel. In a sacrament meeting setting, we do not invite the congregation to open their scriptures as we might in a classroom.
- Please respect the time for the other speakers and conclude on time. You may need to practice delivering your talk at home to get the timing right.
Thanks again for your willingness to speak in Sacrament Meeting. We know you will be blessed as you prepare and deliver your message.
With Love,
The Bishopric
Example 2:
(From Justin Sorensen)
Thank you for accepting the assignment to speak in the ________ Ward Sacrament meeting on [insert date]. The program will be as follows (assigned topics are included):
– Administration of the Sacrament
– (Youth Speaker Name) – Topic (____ minutes)
– (Speaker Name) – Topic (____ minutes)
– Intermediate Hymn
– (Speaker Name) – Topic (____ minutes)
– (Speaker Name) – Topic (balance of the meeting until ________)
As we discussed, with the number of speakers we have it will be important to pay attention to the amount of time you are allotted to speak. Please plan accordingly.
Just a few reminders from the Church Handbook about speaking in Sacrament meeting, please remember to:
1) Teach the doctrines of the gospel
2) Relate faith-promoting experiences
3) Bear witness of divinely revealed truths
4) Use the scriptures
5) Teach in a spirit of love after prayerful preparation
6) Not speak on subjects that are speculative, controversial or out of harmony with Church doctrine
7) To maintain reverence please do not ask the congregation to open their own books to scriptural references
Please let me know if you have any questions at all. Thanks again for your service.
Example 3:
Kurt generally sent this out before talking to the member in person.
Brother and Sister __________,
The bishopric would like to invite you to speak in sacrament meeting on [date].
You may have a few questions…
ARE YOU SERIOUS!?
Yes. We realize this request may come as a surprise to you. Let me answer a few more questions for you.
WHAT IF I’M NOT AVAILABLE THAT DATE?
If you are not available on the date above please contact the bishopric and we can look to move the assignment to another Sunday.
HOW LONG WILL I SPEAK?
10-12 Minutes
WHAT’S MY SPEAKING TOPIC?
I would like you to spend the next few days assessing what doctrines of the gospel have most impacted you as an individual. Consider past life experiences that had a deep effect on your life. Then send me a list of 3 topics you would feel confident speaking about. From there we will discuss which topic will be assigned to you from the bishopric.
Of course, we would love for you to spend 2 minutes about your background so we can get to know you better.
If you have further concerns about speaking in sacrament meeting please reply to this message or call a member of the bishopric to discuss this further.
FURTHER INFORMATION TO CONSIDER
We are instructed that the purpose of Sacrament Meeting is to partake of the sacrament, to worship, to provide gospel instruction, to strengthen and to build faith and testimony. There are many ways your talk can achieve the purpose of this sacred meeting. As you prepare your talk it is our hope that your preparation and presentation will:
Teach the doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Teach by using the scriptures and modern revelation
Relate faith-promoting experiences from your personal life
Teach with love & with the Spirit
Bear witness of divinely revealed truths, especially of the Atonement of Jesus Christ
As you present your talk please consider the following:
Avoid mentioning how the bishopric asked you to speak
Avoid asking the congregation to turn to the chapter and verse of the scriptures you will be sharing.
Avoid addressing issues that are political, speculative or not in harmony with Church doctrine.
Avoid the use of visual aids and audiovisual materials is not encouraged and please avoid the use of casual or inappropriate language that may detract from the Spirit.
Following these principles will invite the presence of the Spirit and contribute to an atmosphere of reverent worship throughout the meeting.
Please be sensitive to the time frame of your talk (noted above). Many speakers don’t realize how much time their prepared remarks will fill and often go over time or end too early. We encourage you to practice your remarks beforehand and adjust accordingly. During your remarks if you find that your talk will end early, that is OK. The bishopric will fill the remainder of the meeting. If you happen to go over your time we will kindly place a note on the lectern to remind you to wrap up your comments. We don’t do this to be rude, but realize many people lose track of time as they share from their heart.
It is a special opportunity to speak before the congregation. We know that as you pray about your topic and prepare in advance the Spirit will guide you. You will be blessed for accepting the invitation to speak.
Please reply to this message to confirm receipt.
Sincerely,
Bishop __________
Every time I’ve experienced a speaker gone wrong while I was in the bishopric, it was because we had not sent that follow-up email.
3. Offer a Training Class
Another opportunity the bishopric and Sunday School Presidency might consider is a training session on “How to Speak in Sacrament Meeting.” This could be done during the Sunday School hour, on a 5th Sunday, or it could be a special fireside. Repeat the training frequently, at least annually, but maybe even quarterly. Train as frequently as needed to establish a pattern and culture of Sacrament meeting speaking excellence.
Consider providing this training to the youth as well. Oh, and make sure to invite members of the High Council to your training. They probably need it!
Conclusion
As we endeavor to make our Sabbath observance a delight, one major step would be improving the quality of sacrament meeting worship. May we and bishoprics everywhere take the necessary time to invite speakers in a more meaningful way and provide them with excellent training. Bishoprics that apply these tips will see a reduction in cringe-worthy moments and a marked improvement in the quality of sacrament meeting speakers.
Read a related newsletter message, HERE.
All very good suggestions. Especially the training class/workshop/fireside.
When my husband was bishop, I helped him create a chart. Each month had a subject that leads to an increase of the Spirit in our lives, such as love, humility, forgiveness, repentance, etc.
Each month also had scriptures and references relating to that subject.
This chart was given to the whole ward, so they would know the Sacrament Meeting subject of each month for the whole year.
This also gave them references to assist with personal study and family study.
I really felt an increase of the Spirit in our meetings because the ward was in tune and already pondering the subject.
God talks are not only based on the speaker, but also based on the hearer’s preparedness and desire to receive by the Spirit.
What are your thoughts about the modern trend of speakers writing out their entire talk and reading it word for word from the pulpit? Would it be worth including something about that in the “please consider” items of the email you mention above? Maybe something like, “Rather than writing out your talk word for word, the most effective talks are delivered from an outline so the speaker can maintain eye contact with the congregation.”
Reading word for word without looking up just means that the speaker needs to practice the talk more so they can look up. I don’t like speaking from an outline as I can’t seem to keep my thoughts organized, and many people just end up rambling all over the place and taking more time than they should, leaving less for the following speakers (who may have prepared excellent talks but have to cut them short due to lack of courtesy and practice on the part of the first speaker).
The most effective talks are given in general conference and are written out word for word and practiced extensively! Giving speakers enough time and encouragement to practice for content and timing is a better way in my opinion.
I actually see this firsthand – a talk delivered from a written out, word for word speech is the fastest way to lose an audience (no matter how interesting the talk or stories might otherwise be). Heads look down, people start looking at their phones, parents suddenly become very interested in what their kids are coloring. A talk delivered from an outline (not meandering, but rehearsed and prepared) keeps people’s eyes and their attention, especially when sprinkled with stories. Lawyers don’t stand in front of a jury and read a speech to them – that’s a sure way to lose. Polished and natural speech is simply far more effective.
Regardless what style someone selects, I agree with you that every talk should be practiced and polished.
I personally feel that it’s of value to recognize that we are all at varying levels of comfort with public speaking. So, gra iously allowing room for different approaches and choosing to appreciate the courage and testimony of an individual is of greater value in our own souls than requiring us to all be the same.
I remember a sister who clung to her paper and read her whole lesson. She never gave any chance for input. Of course this sister had a lot of room for growth, but she had to start somewhere. I came away filled with love for her and admiration for her courage to do something so wildly out of her comfort zone.
I personally do outlines and fully written ones based on the circumstance, such time allotment and how specifically I want to express certain things.
A big problem with reading talks is that often they are read too quickly making them hard to follow.
A ward I was in selected speakers at 6 month intervals. Every 6 months the Bishop would hold a meeting, where he would hand out assignments for the next 6 months. He would then give a what-we-expect-from -speakers lesson. As a speaker, I loved it….I was able to direct my scripture study for the next several weeks/months towards that topic. The talks in that ward were always fantastic.
I was counseled “do not to prepare a talk to give but rather prepare to give a talk”
General conference and other broadcasted talks are written out and delivered by reading because of time and translation issues. General authority’s seldom read when they are speaking in non broadcasted talks. They hardly even refer to notes.
Some people have nerves or memory problems…wonder…can we all be mindful of that. Not everyone is an accomplished speaker. I love giving talks but without my notes I would be lost. I give eye contact as you can do that as you read. Its practice, encouragement that builds up confidence. It’s good to emphasise the time limit isn’t it.
Yes, very true! But let us all remember we are just mere mortals, we are NOT general authorities. We are not in the habit of talking about the gospel to all people, in all places, all the time like general authorities do. They have much more practice than we do. Give the members a break who prepared the talk and have to read it. Be gentle and kind because they are nervous and probably would loose their train of thought.
I so agree.
I live in England, but lived in Utah for eight years. We do not have the luxury of selecting from a huge number of members. My thought though is of those who may have mental limitations and can only speak at a childlike level. We need to give them a voice on occasion too, do we not? In these instances the quality of speaking does not keep the congregation focused, but blesses the life of the speaker.
Very good point
Question: I recall a number of years ago a direction from Salt Lake that a husband and wife normally should not be asked to speak at the same sacrament meeting. Perhaps this was done so that singles not feel they are second class. I don’t know. What is your option. Thanks l.
It doesn’t say in the General Handbook to assign or suggest General Conference messages for the messages given in Sacrament Meeting. It’s a recent trend from this century, perhaps spread through Pinterest, and it’s very boring! It makes the members feel like babies, like you don’t trust their abilities. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to ask someone to study, ponder, and oray about what to speak about? Let the members choose their own topics, like generally happens in Conference. The members will have more experiences about receiving personal revelation and it would encourage them to keep in their toes in regular study and seeking the Spirit.
The best, most effective sacrament meeting talks always include personal stories, experiences, and lessons learned. When a speaker is honestly sharing how they have experienced any gospel topic…it doesn’t matter which one…and how their lives have been changed because of their experience, the ward pays attention and their hearts can really feel something special.
Rarely is a “sermon” as effective.
What if…when a ward member is asked to give a talk they were asked to share their personal experience with whatever the gospel topic or principle might be. It could be a game changer…
And…without exception, every gospel topic comes back to our love for the Savior and His love for us.