One of my favourite quotes goes like this: “What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I understand.” If one applies this to scripture reading in church it couldn’t be truer. When we hear The Word being read, how many of us actually remember it? With regard to seeing it, back in 2024, I wrote two articles on the subject — “Speak So They Will Listen” and “Making Sense of Scripture Readings.” Both had to do with the preparation process and some tips about how to apply it. Reading about it, however, is one thing. We may remember some of what has been read, but how can one possibly understand it unless it is put it into practice? Even then, doing something doesn’t immediately bring about understanding. It must be practiced… a lot.
If I may digress momentarily, it has been proven that in order to become proficient at any task, repetition is necessary to create what we call muscle memory. Consistent practice strengthens neural pathways, making movements more efficient and requiring less conscious effort over time. Therefore, the muscle memory is actually more a procedural exercise that allows for skills like playing an instrument, typing, or riding a bike to become second nature. I certainly know this from my years of studies in singing and speech arts, as well as my recent training in Taekwondo. Since I take a seniors’ class I am not likely to be doing any high flying kicks or sparring in my lifetime, but I am gaining skills in balance, coordination, and self defense. Although it been has almost 18 months since I began my training I am only now really noticing an improvement in these skills.
You may wonder how this applies to reading aloud. If we go back to the idea of strengthening neural pathways, reading in front of a group requires us to engrain concepts and procedures in our brain that allows our reading to be effective, engaging, and even dynamic. And, there is a muscular component that is part of reading aloud, too. In addition to being an engaging storyteller, the words and phrases must flow easily. When they don’t, it is a clear sign to me that the reader hasn’t put in the practice time required. Many times I have heard stilted reading, stumbles, mispronunciations, and phrases that don’t make sense. All of these are indicators that the reader has not given their brain time to process the text and rehearse the physical aspects.
My point: In February I will be offering an in-person workshop where individuals can have the opportunity to practice these skills. If you are someone who currently reads at church, would like to be a reader, or are just interested in learning about the process, then this experience is for you! Participants can expect to learn some preparation and presentation techniques for the various types of readings, learn about vocal production and proper microphone use, participate in small group work and present a reading for feedback. This will be a “doing” workshop in the hopes that it will result in more engagement with your listeners and perhaps even make your presentation of the text unforgettable. To paraphrase Paul’s letter to Timothy, “Give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching… Don’t neglect the gift that is in you… Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
The date of this free workshop is Saturday, February 7 from 10:00 am-2:30 pm at St. George Anglican Church in West Kelowna. To register or for more details, please contact me at [email protected] or call (250) 979-8418.
