Just three more areas to think about and push ourselves in:

3. Gestures – Are you naturally dependent on certain movements?  You may not know, but check a video or ask a friend.  Like the voice, overplanning will result in unnatural “performance.”   However, evaluation and forethought may raise subconscious repetition to conscious appropriate variation.  Your goal is not to perform or to impress, but to communicate.

4. Relationship to the Pulpit – Do you hold it?  Do you lean on it?  Are you conjoined with it?  Perhaps it would stretch you to remove it for a Sunday, or preach from a different location.  Try preaching with your Bible in your hands, or use a music stand off to one side.  The podium can be an immense crutch for some, and a communication block for listeners.  Hide less, communicate more.

5. Ending – It’s easy to always finish the same way.  Pause for thought, straight into a song (them not you), punchy last line, thoughtful prayer, etc.  Any of these could be good if chosen purposefully.  Take the time to plan the ending of your next sermon properly so you don’t default to a landing in autopilot.