Giving Feedback

I'm not naturally reflective by nature, so when it comes to giving people feedback on preaching I tend to like structure to help me do so.  The aim in giving feedback is not to constrain the person into giving the talk I would have given from that passage, in the way I would have done it, with my headings, illustrations, and irritating quirks and idosyncrisies.  But it is to help them as a preacher iron out wrinkles in their handling of scripture or in the way they preach (e.g. excessive use of 'OK' etc...).

With that in mind I find it helpful when asked by someone to give them feedback to use something like that below, not as I'm listening but some time afterwards as I view my notes and listen again to the MP3.

Preachers Feedback Form

Preacher: _____________________  Passage:_­­­­_____________________

Content of Bible Talk

1. What was the big idea of the Bible Talk? How well was it communicated?

2. Was the talk easy to follow? Any comments about text referencing, transitions between points, gaps in logic?

3. Any comments on the preacher’s handling of Scripture? (text, context, Biblical theology)

4. Were any illustrations particularly memorable? Were they appropriate?  Too memorable?

5. Was the text applied pastorally and directly to the congregation?

6. To what extent were both Christians and non-Christians addressed by the Bible Talk?

7. How well did the Bible Talk begin and end?

Presentation of Bible Talk (idosyncrisies, use of hands, use of slides, repeated phrases etc...)

Final Thoughts

1. What did I appreciate most about this Bible Talk?

2. What one thing should the preacher strive to improve next time round?