For many of us we do not have much time to do anything right after we preach. If you are like me you are hanging out chatting it up with people, hearing people tell you “good sermon” maybe the occasional “I didn’t like your sermon”

This is all well and good. If you are also like me and are in a small church environment you are also putting the microphones away, helping your wife put communion away, turning off the baptistery pump, the lights, the air conditioner… Oh you get the point.

We are all busy right after we preach. But there is something  you must ask yourself right away. Before the allure of a relaxing Sunday afternoon or the pressures of starting the week on Monday morning win out.

You must ask yourself “How did that go?”

Reflection is the key in many aspects of our preaching and leading lives, but this instant reflection is important as well. Before you listen to yourself, watch yourself, or ask others “hey how did that go over” it is very important to first go through your message in your mind and ask yourself how did that go? How do I think that point communicate? Did I emphasize my main point enough?

Biblical Preaching honors God. If you put in the legwork of prayer and study you are going to honor God. But that  does not mean you cannot improve your sermon delivery as well.

The thing is : your initial reaction on Sunday, right after your preach may be, “wow, I thought that went pretty good” or maybe “that was awful”. But, on Monday when you go to watch yourself, listen to yourself, ot talk to those you trust to be honest you may realize your initial reaction was all wrong. Honestly, that’s ok and it is really not the point of this  initial reflection.

Here are a few reasons why this is such an important aspect of improving our communication

1. No Distractions

After I preach I sure do have a bunch of distractions. But after I have said goodbye to everyone and turned out the lights I usually have a window of opportunity to ask myself this all important question and go from there. See the problem is once Sunday afternoon hits I am in no mood or place  to do this. Monday morning all the distractions in ministry start to take hold. So the best time to do this is right after the service.

2. Remember External Factors

Many times external factors have caused me to adjust my content or do something different. If I ask this question right after I speak then I will have a much better chance to remember such factors when I am evaluating deeper later in the week.

3. Great Introduction to Further Evaluation

This little question that sometimes I spend less than ten minutes on really helps to open up further evaluation of my preaching later in the week. It has become a great jumping in point for me and I hope it can be one for you too. 

Do you ask this question right after you preach? Do you like the idea if you do not? Let me know!