When you preach, you probably have a default tone. Most of us do. If we are going to preach the Bible effectively, we need to get to know the tone of the text and the tone that we will default to using. Only then can we think through effective communication in respect to the tone of the sermon.
So what is your default tone? Here are a few possibilities to get us started. You should certainly listen to yourself on a recording, and you would be wise to ask some listeners how they would describe it!
A. Dull Deliverer – This preacher is generally flat in tone. Not much variation, not much energy, not much life. This is a hard one to spot in the mirror as we tend to find ourselves more compelling than others do.
B. Energizer Engager – This is the opposite: pure energy and continual variation in tone (albeit mostly enthusiasm). Massive energy, excessive movement, a tiring experience for most listeners, unless they are so relieved by the contrast it provides to a diet of dull deliverers, then they will be complimentary for a while.
C. Critical Cleric – This preacher is generally judgmental in tone. Whatever the text, whatever the situation, whatever the opportunity for leadership and encouragement, the message will probably come across as a finger wagging critique of the listeners or the culture. As with every default, this will get some affirmation. You can critique culture mercilessly in a way that would unhelpfully offend any visitor, but some in the congregation will celebrate you “saying it like it is” or something similar. Don’t evaluate tone on feedback, but do get feedback to evaluate the tone!
D. Gym General – This preacher is similar to the Critical Cleric, but the emphasis is on pressurizing the listeners. Instead of just critiquing, there is a continual arm twisting going on. No amount of application is ever enough, so do more, more, more. Again, some people are attracted by fleshly ascetic religiosity, so this approach will be affirmed. That doesn’t make it healthy though.
E. Cheery Chatterer – This preacher looks like he thinks he is in a wedding photo shoot. Upbeat, smiling incessantly, nice and happy, perhaps even plastic in tone. It is good to smile and be warm. It is good to connect with your listeners. It is good to remember that the God we represent should be evident in our manner and demeanor. Consequently, let’s be careful not to come across as simply cheery all the time. God is good, but He is not an unauthentic salesperson.
F. Rushed Reteller – This preacher has more to say than time to say it. Consequently everything has to go at a clip in order to fit. Information transfer gives way to information statement and all aspects of effective delivery give way to the one over-riding goal of saying the message.
What would you add to this list of default preaching tones? There are many more out there.
Biblical Preaching 
How about “Routine Reader?” No matter how thoughtful his manuscript, its effect is lost because he reads from it word for word.
Good one, thanks Bud
I’d add loving-but-firm shepherd to the list. I appreciated your statement about the tone of the Text. I confess to watching American Idol at times and am amazed at how often judges criticize a singer for not being believable. In other words, their tone or mood doesn’t match the song’s story.
Thank you for all your work.
Whilst it is more a tine of voice than of delivery; I would add the ‘stained glass preacher’ the person who uses a tone that is only found in the pulpit, and as it it not the ‘real person’ speaking seems impersonal and therefore lacking personal conviction of the message being conveyed (rather than proclaimed)