Strong and Faithful is He

I heard a friend in a lecture last year say "when in the 'dark night of the spirit', sing!"

But what song would you sing?

How about one that takes the focus away from one's self and turns the gaze to the Father?
From the 'me' to God, acknowledging that indeed, except for sin, everything is grace --
even trials, and hardships and obscure nights.

A worship song. Because a worship song is always a happy song.
It can be grace,
for peace.

I made a humble attempt at writing one.
The song in the video titled
"Strong and Faithful is He."

Stand Firm Music Ministers!

I titled this in 2007 as "Lamentations and Music". 

I re-title it now as, "Stand Firm Music Ministers!" Indeed, music ministry is God’s war department. 

This one-of-a-kind Music Ministry Workshop may perhaps be just what our chapters need today.  (One of a kind because the basics must be there, but how you conduct it and who will participate are uniquely the chapter's.)

Personal Reflections on the WestB5 Cluster Music Ministry Workshop

June 7, 2007

Early this year, the clarion call was sounded by our CFC elders: we must be in Lamentations.   The reason has been explained by Bro. Frank during the Baguio MC Hope Weekend during which he said that “God is not going to wait for us to fall like that of Israel, for that will be too late.”  Hence, the time is now to be in lamentations, meaning, we must (1) repent; (2) be faithful by living out our covenant; and (3) grow in holiness. It is only through these that we can turn our Lamentations to Hope.

Inspired by these teachings, the cluster quickly responded. And of the many possible, feasible, noble and even practical responses available,  what it first discerned to do as a cluster was to conduct ---  a Music Ministry Workshop. 

Initially, there seemed to be no relation at all between lamentations and music; no connection between the challenge in the Baguio MC Hope Weekend and a Music Ministry Workshop.  But session after session, God has brought to light how actually practical and achievable this journey of lamentations to hope is, using music and our various experiences in the music workshop, as examples.

            These were what happened.    

            In Session One – Music as Worship (April 25, 2007), Bro. Danny Lopez introduced us  to the first Greek word for “worship” in the New Testament -- Proskuneo, which means "to bow in respect or submission" (Matt. 2:11; 4:9-10; John 4:20-24; Rev. 7:11). 

            We learned that “right worship is [relational]; it is founded upon a right relationship with God”.  It is based on who He is, His holiness, His greatness, His glory, His steadfast love and compassion and what he has done for us.”    As such, no matter how you feel at the time, our worship must “display awe, honor and devotion, respect and submission.”   Our desire as music ministers, is “for everyone to give a full musical expression to the Lord according to what is in their heart.”

In the session one workshop, we realized how rich and meaningful CFC’s tradition is in worship. Our Glory Songbook is a precious compilation of God’s words written in music. Our Glory Songbook tells us who our God is, from where we can establish that “right relation” to Him.  We came to know of the unfamiliar CFC songs and appreciated them to be beautiful.

In Session Two – Music as Service (May 2, 2007), Bro. Rainier Lim introduced to us the second Greek word for “worship” : Latreuo, which means "to serve".  We have learned that music is service and that there is joy in service through music. It trains us to commitment and faithfulness. It makes us disciplined. Most importantly, it prepares us to leadership.

In the session two workshop, we have learned the Circle of Fifths from where we realized that music, despite all its complexities and intricacies, is after all, simple and learnable. Imagine reducing all the harmonies and progressions of chords and notes into one simple and graphic representation that is the Circle of Fifths. By God’s grace therefore it should not at all be difficult to “worship,” read as, “serve”.

In Session Three – Forming and Building up a Music Ministry (May 9, 2007),  Bro. Bob Serrano allowed us to enter into the enchanting journey of their group,  29 AD.  We realized that after all the theories and concepts have been learned, the success of a music ministry is anchored ultimately on Love. As Aileen Serrano has put it: “In the end, it is the love that keeps us [music ministers/community] together.” Guitarist Chris Fernandez shared that because of this love, we pray for one another and “hindi puwede ang pride”, which is the greatest enemy of any musician. Who can also forget 29 AD’s musical director’s sharing that despite a successful 17- year stint as EDSA Shrine’s musical director, his serving in the CFC music ministry is the “next and higher level of service”.

We have also learned that Satan’s attacks are first directed or are more unceasing at the music ministers. This is because music ministry is God’s war department. It is the frontliner; a strategic group. Destroy it and God’s people would falter, even crumble. Hence, the need to be ever prayerful.

In the session three workshop, we worshiped together.   And 29 AD showed us how powerful indeed a loving and prayerful music ministry may become, as God’s army and God’s people.

In Session Four – Singing (May 16, 2007), Sis. Susan Barretto and her daughters and nephew, Justice, allowed us to experience heaven by singing “Heaven” and we realize that “Heaven is in our hearts.” If viewed in the context of worship, we understood that truly, we can worship under (and despite) whatever personal situation we are in. For heaven is in our hearts.

We were taught that when we sing, we are singing for the greatest audience of all time. Hence the need to practice to be “graceful”, and  once graceful we will sound out “real praises.” We learned that when we play music or when we sing, we need to Obey (like the saxophone player who was asked to bow every now and then to avoid the trombone hitting his head,) and to Listen to our friends. We were taught of the three Cs of singing – Confidence (gained through practice); Concentration; and Communication.

In the session four workshop, we have tried singing as a group with SATB voicing. We realized it could be done, even by us, in so short a time. In the process, the song “As the Deer” will be sung by us henceforth like never before.

In Session Five – Guitar (May 23, 2007), Bro. Diony Cruz gave us a preview of the many more possibilities and/or the more beautiful ways of playing the guitar. He explained that  another great enemy of musicians is mediocrity.  Hence, we need to heed the Psalmist who said that we must play our guitar “skillfully”  translated as excellently. This however has costs – the 3 D’s of guitar playing -- Desire, Discipline and Determination.

In the session five workshop, we have tried to pluck our guitars, led by Bro. Diony who played “As the Deer”. We then realized, we could also do it and that indeed, we need the 3Ds to make our guitars a powerful and beautiful musical instrument.

On May 26, 2007, almost all of the music ministry workshop attendees have participated in the Hope Weekend in Tagaytay City. There we heard the talks – Claim to Nobility, Falling Short,  Repentance and Awakening, Rising Unafraid, and Restored in Hope. More importantly, there at Hope Weekend, we prayed, listened to God’s message for us as individuals and as members of the CFC community, and we worshipped together with the whole sector at that.

Parenthetically, of all the songs sang during the Hope Weekend, the song that made us feel God’s presence, moving us to tears even, was “Heaven” -- for that was the same song sang by Susan Barretto and her daughters during Session Four.

In Session Six – Keyboards (May 30, 2007), I was the resource person. I introduced myself with the following credentials: a Grade 2 graduate of Thomson’s Piano Course under Mrs. Antonio, who was asked to return to kinder when I enrolled at Yamaha School of Music because I could still not read notes, and graduated Grade 2 (Michael Aaron’s Piano Course). I then repeated everything under Prof. Pacita Lardizabal Elepaño, and finished Grade 2, again without mastering note sight reading.  Eventually, I played the piano through oido, using the Jingle Songhits Piano Chord chart.  Impressive credentials!? 

I was led into highlighting the role of silence in music. Music to be music has intervals of silence, chasms, or momentary interruptions, if not full  “rests.”  That is what makes music beautiful because there are only two universal languages used by God – music and silence. In our silence, God also speaks.

In the session six workshop, we demystified the keyboards and piano. We realized that learning how to play is easy, but the practice part is what will make us play, actually. And that is the difficult part.  To ensure a follow through, we were given a chord table and a compact disc (cd) of actual piano chords as played in keyboards, chord by chord, and step by step.  

Session Seven (set on June 6, 2007) was supposed to be “Organizing Praisefests”.  But God has another plan.  A better one.

During Session Five, we were told that Bro. Frank Padilla would meet the sector in an assembly open to all CFC sector members. The date would exactly coincide with our  Session Seven. And the music ministry tasked to serve at the talk should be WestB5 Cluster Music Ministry.

But there was no WestB5 Cluster Music Ministry! None just as yet.  All it had at the time were the same members attending the Music Ministry Workshop.  Bro. Bob therefore assigned the same workshop attendees, to provide the music during the sector assembly of June 6, 2006.  Meanwhile, Bro. Enjie Liwanag was named musical director.

WestB5 Cluster Music Ministry, was, thus, born. Not according to what we have planned but according to God’s plan.  Not according to our time frame, but God’s time frame.  What a great and obvious way for God to affirm that what the cluster has been doing all along was pleasing to Him!

Session Seven (June 6, 2007), has turned out to be our practicum. All the learning, the concepts, and the workshops were put to a test. We passed.  The cluster music ministry rose to the task. It led the whole congregation in a powerful worship singing Victory to our King, How great is the Lord, and God is my refuge.  

Then wonder of wonders, Bro. Frank talked about Lamentations. This time, he summarized and crystallized all teachings on Lamentations since the MCG Hope Weekend to the Sector Hope Weekend. (Will look for a video footage..)

Bro. Frank emphasized that Lamentations is something positive. It is a cause for great joy. We were brought to lamentations this early because God does not want us to go astray, as He is yet to use us more powerfully in the next 25 years.

In this lamentations journey, the key is faithfulness to our covenant with God. This shall pave the way for our right relationship with God (holiness), the right relationship with brethren (Faithfulness) and the right relationship with the world (Evangelization).

Crucial too is our remembrance of what the Lord has done for us in the last 25 years. Binasbasan tayo noon. Hindi pa tapos and Panginoon. Gusto pa Niya tayong gamitin.

The goal now is to realize that we have already reached the crossroads. These crossroads are two-pronged. One is the road that would further drift us away from God; the other would draw us near Him and would make the community’s anointment more powerful and evident. At the crossroads, the wise and better choice is rendered obvious. At the crossroads, the making of the choice becomes an imperative. 

The Cluster Music Ministry, therefore, has completed the circle. The workshop was inspired by the clarion call made this January. The workshop ended with the same clarion call made clearer and sharper this June. All by the same brethren: Bro. Frank, two weeks before CFC’s 26^th Anniversary.

Looking back, the Music Ministry Workshop was a journey in lamentations in itself. Here’s how.

First. In the workshops, we learned that music is not just talent; it is a skill. As Justice puts it “It may come out or it may not.”

Satan does not want God’s music to come out. For when it does, many will be drawn closer to God, in worship. Hence, Satan had deceived us into believing that music is out there, far away, and cannot be reached.  He has been saying: Be content with what you do and what you have right here, right now. In other words, Satan does not want us to be in “lamentations’.

In the workshops, we uncovered the lie.  Music is just here right in front of us, ready for the taking. All it takes is a paradigm shift, and an attitude of Desire, Discipline and Determination.

Just like in  repentance.  Haven’t we all been once deceived that repentance is a myth? That it cannot be done and it is too presumptuous and boastful of us to even consider doing it?  But then by God’s grace, we learned how easy it is.  It just takes an open heart and faith in our loving God, to experience that metanoia.

Lamentations is a call to take stock of ourselves. To be restless in the face of what is and look farther for what we may become. Lamentations pave the way to a desire for a constant and unceasing metanoia.

Second.  We learned that music ministers are always under attack. We discovered this not just from the sharing of 29 AD group members, but by our own experiences in organizing and attending the workshops.  Bro. Danny Lopez was sick when he gave Session One. Bro. Bob Penalosa had to absent himself on opening session as his son suffered a seizure. Bro. Rainier Lim could only arrive at our venue at 10PM due to his work schedule. We had poor attendance even in Session Three despite the fact that our Cluster Head declared that  the attendance in session 3 workshop may be in lieu of household. Sister Susan’s brother was critically ill when she gave Session Four.  We had two deceased brethren in the cluster at the time that we were conducting Session 5.

Before and during every session, thus, we were storming heaven and praying for empowerment, protection and harvest.  For every session we were just simply relying in the faithfulness of the brethren.

And we were able to overcome.

Indeed, faithfulness is key.  At every turn and in every trial, we still can be faithful. Once faithful, we can be used still, powerfully even, despite our weaknesses.

Just like in living out our covenant. When everything is murky and uncertain, when we are in lamentations, faithfulness in our covenant will make things happen. The covenant will situate us right back on track. The covenant will bring everything else into the proper focus -- God. Ang Diyos ang nagbigay sa akin ng komunidad na ito. Bakit ako aalis? O bakit ako hindi makikilahok sa mga pinagagawa nito?

Third. We have learned that there is still much more to learn. We found out that there is this wide room for improvement still, an ocean to travel to perfection, and that to reach the goal will take a lifetime of commitment to one’s craft.  Hindi puwedeng pwede na hangga’t puwede pa.

Just like in growing in holiness. The goal is to be conformed to the character of Jesus. To be an image of God. An impossible task which will be the goal of the lifetime achievable only with God’s grace, through the empowerment of His Spirit.

Thus viewed, our cluster music ministry workshop was  indeed a journey in lamentations. For months we have been wondering how it is to be in lamentations. Now we have just discovered that we have been undergoing just that through this humble and unobtrusive service that is Music Ministry Workshop. In fact, we might even be doing just that in other CFC service.

Our prayer now is to reach the crossroads, where lamentations may be turned into hope; hope that the time has already come for the music ministers to claim their rightful place in God’s plan and people --- There right at the center of the battle, but battling while singing with joy, peace and hope in their hearts.

Arnel M. Santos

June 7, 2007

P.S. At present, we have a Music Ministry Manual where the Music Ministry Workshop is more thoroughly discussed. 

The Long Ignored Gems of Public Speaking Tips from CFC PFO

The Lord will bless the chapters with speakers, teachers, even prophets.

Conduct the CFC PFO Speakers Training Module. This is a gift. This can be our much needed grace. 

After the training, ask leaders-participants to give the talk themselves (CLP, GMT etc).... Let's rediscover and avail of the means to mentor and train well the next generation of CFC in our respective areas.

We gave this one in August, 2006... (I inserted citations from Maxwell and Warren)
(Best updated with Robert Barron's lectures and writings on persuasive speech...)

COUPLES FOR CHRIST

SPEAKERS’ TRAINING

Talk No. 1 :  COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC SPEAKING

Expanded Outline

A.         Communication is an exchange of meaning.

Two people may talk and exchange ideas, opinions or words, but if they do not mean what they say and say what they mean, the result is miscommunication.

The purpose of communication is to bring two or more hearts and minds together to become one.

Communication comes from the Latin word communis  which means “common”. In its, simplistic terms, it means sending and receiving messages.

The success of your marriage, job and personal relationships depends greatly on communication.

However, it does not mean that if there is sending and receiving, communication has occurred. Often, it only partially occurred because of refraction due to:

1.      Preoccupation

2.      Emotional Blocks

3.      Hostility

4.      Past Experience

5.      Stereotyping

6.      Physical Environment

7.      Mind wandering

8.      Relationships

9.      Inarticulateness

These guidelines may then be of tremendous help.
John Maxwell’s 4 basic Truths on Communication

1.      Simplify your message

-    Communication is not just what  you say. It is also how you say it.

-    The key to effective communication is simplicity. Forget about impressing people with big words or complex sentences. If you want to communicate with people, keep it simple. Napoleon Bonaparte used to tell his secretaries: “Be clear, be clear, be clear.”

-     Blueprint for effective communication: Write an exciting opening that will grab everybody in your audience. Then you write a dramatic summary and closing that will make people want to act. Then put them as close together as possible.

2. See the person

    - Effective communication focus on people. It is impossible to communicate to an audience without knowing something about them.

3. Show the truth

- Credibility precedes great communication. 2 ways:

                           
                                   i.      Believe in what you say. Be fired up with conviction. “The most powerful weapon on earth is thehuman soul on fire.”

                                  ii.      Live what you say

4. Seek for a response

- Never forget that the goal of communication is action. If you dump a bunch of information on people, you are not communicating. Every time you speak, give them something to feel, something to remember, and something to do.

B.         Important facts about public speaking.

            1.         Reality: Good speakers are MADE, not BORN.

From Warren’s Purpose Driven Church

Jesus’ style of communication

Crowd’s reaction to Jesus—  Amazed at his teaching (Mt 7:28); profoundly impressed (Matt 22:33)  people were enthusiastic (Mk 11:18); the great crowd enjoyed listening to him (Mark 12:37)

There has never been a greater communicator than Jesus Christ. Hence, he must be our model for preaching.

John 12:49 : The Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it”. Notice that both the content and the delivery style of Jesus’ teaching were directed by the Father.

What was his style:

1.      Jesus began with people’s needs, hurts and interests

- usually taught in response to a question from someone in the crowd

- His message offered practical benefits to those who listened

- We do not have to make the Bible relevant; it already is. It is Good News.

- By beginning with needs, hurts and interests you immediately gain      attention

                            
                                  i.      Like a teacher, salesman, manager

There is in our brain this so called “reticular activating system” – a filter so that we do not have to respond to all stimuli around us; it sifts and sorts so that we do not get overloaded or overwhelmed.

What does get attention:

1.      Things we value

2.      Those that are unique

3.      Things that threaten

Most unbelievers are not looking for truth but relief.

2.      Jesus related truth to life

-   JC’s teachings are practical and simple. They were clear, relevant and applicable. He aimed for application because his goal was to transform people, not merely inform them.

-   A lot of teachings today are “Ain’t it awful” preaching- complains about society, makes judgments about people, long in diagnosis, short in remedy. They make Christians superior to “people out there.”

-    When we go to a doctor, we do not just want to hear, whats wrong with us but specific steps to getting better.

-       Christlike preaching is life-related and produces a changed lifestyle.

-      Note that you do not transform the message of the Bible (diluting it) but translate it into terms we can easily understand.

3.      Jesus spoke to the crowd with an interesting style.

-      Pastors complain, we should not “entertain”. But if you look up “entertain in dictionary, it means “capturing and holding the attention for an extended period.”

-    To the unchurched, dull teaching is unforgivable. Truth poorly delivered is ignored.

-   “I am amazed at how some Bible teachers are able to take the most exciting book in the world and bore people to tears with it. I believe it is a sin to bore people with the Bible. When God’s word is taught in an uniteresting was, people don’t just think the pastor is boring, they think God is boring.”

-      Style of Jesus Christ:

                                  i.      He told stories to make a point. A master storyteller. A favorite technique. Hence, the Bible is a book of stories.

1.   stories hold our attention. Like TV

2.  stories stir our emotion. They impact in ways that precepts and propositions never do. If you want to change lives, you must craft the message for impact, not for information.

3.  stories help us remember. Long after the pastor is forgotten, people will remember the stories from the sermon.

                                                       

                                          ii.      JC used simple language, not technical or theoretical jargon. He spoke in terms that normal people will understand. He spoke in Aramaic, the street language of that day. He talked of birds, flowers and other everyday objects. JC told profound truths in simple ways. Not the other way around ( simple truths in profound ways)

-     It is easy to complicate the Gospel and Satan would love us to do just that.

-  Einstein: “You do not really understand something unless you can communicate it in a simple way.” You can be brilliant, but if you can’t share your thoughts in a simple way, your insights are’nt worth much.

Now let us review our talk on Communication and Public Speaking

            2.         Elements for effective public speaking:

                        a)         Use your own style.

                                    *           Do not copy someone else’s style.

                     
                        b)         Do not read your talk.

*           Avoid “manuscript speaking” or being the newscaster type.

                        c)         Do not memorize the whole talk.

                                    *          Be personal and natural.

                               *          It is possible to memorize some important                                                                segments.

                        d)         Speaking does not have to be formal or so serious.

                               *           Be conversational.

                                    *           Be serious about the topic but not overly formal in

        delivery.

            3.         Stage fright is not unnatural.

                        a)         It is normal for most people.

                                    *           It always seems to be more serious to the speaker.

                                    *           It seems to escalate the more you seek to escape                                                     it.

                                    *           It can be used to your advantage.

                        b)         How to handle stage fright.

      *          Pray. Entrust everything to the Lord (yourself and your assigned talk).

                                    *           Use the “Aware-Accept-Act” approach.

                                    *           Handle the specific symptoms of stage fright as                                                they  appear in you.       

                       (See Annex A).                 

                       

C.         Fear versus F.E.A.R.

            1.   Fear can be real or imagined. But it is a God-given emotion, to be                    used to serve us.

     a)      There is a healthy kind of fear. “The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord.” (Sirach 1:12). Fear of the Lord is submission to God. It is true humility.

     b)     We can fight fear with “FEAR” itself.

            2.  “Fear” (or F,E,A,R) for us should have a new meaning, as                                    follows:

     a)      FAITH  --  Dependence on God. Dependence on elders. Being men and women who trust God amidst trials and difficulties.

    b)     ENTHUSIASM  --  Much earnest and fervent feeling about the Lord. A strong conviction of what God is doing and what God asks us to do. Zeal and passion to do God’s work in and through CFC.

   c)      ANTICIPATION  --  Hoping for the best to come instead of being anxious.  Realizing beforehand that God called us and will use us as his instrument, therefore expecting that something good will happen to our listeners and their lives.

   d)     RESPECT  --  God called us and therefore we need to respect him. We also need to respect our listeners and our elders who have allowed us to serve in this ministry. We need to prepare for the talk, realizing the privilege of being invited to preach his word.

D.         Planning your talk.

            1.         Study the expanded outline of the talk.

                        a)         Read the expanded outline a few times.

                        b)         Understand the goal/objective (to inform and persuade                                          the audience).

                        c)         Accept and internalize the talk content.

            2.         Seek input from your elders/leaders.

                        a)         Learn from their wisdom and experience.

                        b)         If any point is unclear, take it up with them.

            3.         Analyze who your audience is.

              a)      Inquire from the team leader about age, social status, academic level, cultural background.

              b)     Adopt your manner of presentation to the audience (i.e., expressions, examples, more or less of sharing than teaching, etc.).

E.         Preparing the talk.

            1.         Pray and offer your efforts to God.

            2.         Read and internalize the expanded outline of the talk.

            a)      The expanded outline is the talk itself. Resist the temptation to do extensive research and input more material into the talk, no matter how interesting. This might just obscure the basic message of the talk or overlap with other talks.

            b)     Become comfortable with the contents and the flow of ideas.

            3.    Jot down and prioritize all the examples, stories and sharings for                    your talk.

                        a)         Supporting points easy to comprehend. Just enough, not                                 too many.

                        b)         Credible and interesting. Current and relevant.

                        c)         Avoid controversies, arguments, criticism of others.

            4.         Write your introduction.

                        a)         The opening of a talk should be:

                                    *           Positive. Do not apologize. Be enthusiastic.

                                    *           Concise. Be brief. Do not ramble or be long-                                                              winded.

                                    *           Relevant to the main talk itself.

                                    *           Be able to show continuity from the previous talk                               (if any).

                        b)         Methods of opening a talk.

                                    *           Ask a question. One that can be answered by a                                                      “yes” or “no” or a show of hands.

      *           State an impressive fact. Something unusual but

         interesting.

                               *           Tell a story. Current and relevant and easy to                                                            visualize.

      *           Present the goal or objective.

                                    *          Preview the topic. A bird’s eye view of what can be

        expected.

                                    *          Make an emphatic statement.

                                    *           Give a sharing.                     

                                    *           Quote a Bible passage.

            5.      Flesh out the talk.

           a)      Insert examples, stories, statistics and/or sharings. This makes the talk more interesting.

           b)     Link points from one to the next.

           c)      Do not depart from the outline.

            6.         Mark the important points on your talk outline.

                     a)         Use characters large enough to read.

                     b)         Indicate key parts only; the exact words you will begin with.

                c)         Highlight the exact positions where you will insert                                                  sharings, examples, etc.

            7.         Write down your conclusion.

a)      You can ruin a nice talk by having a weak conclusion.

                   *  Do not ramble on (E.g., “And another thing I failed to mention .....”). Have a decisive conclusion.

                   *  Do not just stop abruptly (E.g., “..... and that’s all I have

to say”).

b)     You do not always have to end with a Bible passage, but may quote one if appropriate.

                        c)  The conclusion should be challenging.

*           Create a desire to hear more and look forward to the next session.

F.         The talk itself.

1.      If anything is unclear, consult your CFC elders. Do not just presume on what the appropriate meaning of the text is.

2.      Some tips for having a good talk:

a)      Be conversational in tone.

b)     Use normal language, avoiding pious phrases, King James English (thees and thous), and churchy jargon (edified, sanctification, etc.).

c)      Make simple, not complex, points. Make them clearly stated, not hinted. Say what you are saying.

d)     Don’t moralize or preach. Don’t talk down to your listeners.

e)      Avoid arguments, controversies, criticism of others.

f)       Base the talk on the Bible. Quote the scriptures, paraphrasing them if necessary to make your point.

g)     Use examples and stories from your own experience.

3.      Keep the talk disciplined to the goals of the session.

4.      The talk should be for a duration of about 45 minutes. In any case, it should not be less than 30 minutes nor more than one hour.

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COUPLES FOR CHRIST

SPEAKERS TRAINING

Annex A

HANDLING STAGE FRIGHT

1.   Speechlessness.

      *          Warm up prior to the talk.

      *          Hum in a low tone.

      *          Take a breath.

      *          Focus on a familiar face.

2.   Racing.

      *          Pause for a moment.

      *          Summarize.

            3.         Headache.

      *          Take some food before the talk.

      *          Take aspirin.

4.   Stiff or shaky muscles.

                        *          Identify which muscles are shaking and then shake off.

      *          Walk around.

                        *          Bend your waist; lean on the edge of the rostrum.

5.   Shortness of breath.

                        *          Take a deep breath. Series of breaths.

                        *          Stretch your arms.

      *          Make yourself yawn.

6.   Excessive sweating.

      *          Have a hankerchief available.

      *          Loosen up your collar; have comfortable attire.

      *          Have a glass of water ready.

7.   Dry mouth.

      *          Have a glass of water ready.

8.   Pounding heart.

      *          Hold a long deep breath.

      *          Do long slow breathing.

9.   Cracking voice.

                        *          Stretch your neck, clear your voice, take a deep breath.

                        *          Pause and sip water on the side.

10. Shifting or rocking body movements.

                        *          Grip the lectern in front of you.

11. Twitches (irregular muscle spasms).

                        *          Rub the muscle or stretch that area of the body.

                        *          Face away from the audience.

12. “Aaaahs” and “Uuuhmmms”.

                        *          Practice to have none. Be aware of it.

                        *          Think before you speak.

13. Blanking out (forgetting what to say).

      *          Pray immediately but silently.

      *          Acknowledge you forgot.

-          It is OK to say “I lost my thoughts; what was I saying?” Do not feel embarrassed.

-          Have a CATCH ALL phrase, a line that will make you comfortable. “It seems I lost track of my notes ...”

*          Refer to your notes. Glance at the next point, then proceed.

*          Summarize and stop.

-          Restate the last point or refer to the points already discussed.

-          If you are close to the end, summarize and then conclude.

                                   

*     *     *

COUPLES FOR CHRIST

SPEAKERS TRAINING

Annex B

HANDLING QUESTIONS

In case there is an open forum after the talk, the following may be useful in handling questions:

1.         Repeat or rephrase the question.

            a)         Especially if the question was not heard by many.

            b)         This also gives you a chance to organize your thoughts.

2.         Compliment a tough question.

            a)         This can help defuse any hostility there might be.

            b)         Admit it if you do not know the answer.

3.         Put your answer in its proper framework.

            a)         Qualify your answer if necessary.

            b)         Do not drift too far from the subject at hand.

4.         Answer the question clearly.

a)      If possible, it should be clear whether it is yes or no. If a clear yes or no is not possible due to the circumstances, state your qualifications and premises clearly.

b)      Do not attempt to bluff.

5.         Check the clarity of your answer.

            a)         “Did that answer your question?”

            b)         If necessary, do a follow-up clarification.

6.         Keep control of the session.

            a)         Serve as “gatekeeper”, i.e., control who speaks or not, and for how long.

            b)         Direct the session where it ought to go.

                        *          “Let’s hear from our other brothers.”

                        *          “We will discuss that later on.”

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