Preaching is not about performance.  It is not an act.  Our goal when we are preaching is to communicate in a natural manner, as ourselves, because “naturalness” is critical to trustworthiness.  The problem is that standing up and speaking before a crowd incites a certain level of nerves.  Nerves influence movement.  So while it is quite right to be somewhat nervous under the weight of the responsibility of preaching God’s Word, unnatural communication is not good stewardship of the opportunity.  We should be aware of our tendency when nervous – not too aware, for we are not performers, but aware enough to be ourselves when in front of a crowd.

Beware of perpetual motion.  At one end of the scale, some people react by moving constantly.  Shifting weight between feet, pacing, rocking, etc.  This can come across as twitchy and shifty.  

Beware of frozen motion.  At the other extreme there is frozen motion.  This could be stance, where your feet become rooted to the spot.  This is natural for a while, but not forever.  Or perhaps a body part.  Maybe a dead arm in the pocket, or resting on the podium.  Or facial expressions.  A forced grin or a perma-frown.  Or eyes.  Always looking at limited focal points – one or two faces, or worse, a clock, or your notes.  

A significant proportion of communication comes through non-verbals.  All your listeners are experts in it (they are observing and interpreting body language every day).  Their motion detectors are permanently on, evaluating whether someone is moving normally and naturally or not.  This all goes on subconsciously.  Somehow you need to also deal with your own body language subconsciously.  Too much awareness and you may start to perform.  Too little awareness and you may be undermining your ministry.  There are far more important things in preaching than your body language, but unfortunately those important things may get lost if unnatural motion detectors are buzzing in your listeners.