These notes have been adopted from another source (sorry that I have lost the reference. I found the original source here). Please review these instructions carefully and put them to use. God bless you for taking part in this wonderful ministry!
Please practice the readings out loud with a parent. Read the text out loud. Let me say it again - read the text out loud. It really makes a difference. If you are unsure of a word, email me (apswartz[at]gmail[dot]com) or ask me on Facebook.
Take your time in reading. No matter how slow you may think you are reading, you cannot read too slowly (trust me).
Allow adequate pausing between prayers and readings, etc. - don't rush. A pause between sentences - and especially a paragraph - are perfectly natural. Not pausing sounds rushed and unnatural.
Speak Clearly. Good diction and enunciation is important, especially for those who have difficulty hearing. Often people complain about the volume of reading, but in reality it is the lack of clarity in the voice of the speaker.
Using Microphones. Practice using the microphone before worship time. Have someone test you for volume. Be loud enough, but do not blast the congregation. It is better to be a bit too loud than too quiet. Remember that some folks have hearing difficulties. REMEMBER to adjust the microphone so that it is pointed towards your mouth.
Be Expressive. Be expressive with the tone and mood of the text. Let the text guide you for the tone. If you have prepared then you will have some sense of the tone of the text. Monotone speaking will create boring readings. Worship should be lively and that begins with lively readings. A note of caution to the overly expressive! Too exuberant reading can take the focus off the scripture and put it on the theatrics of the reader. Scripture is the focus not the reader.
Decorum. Since the focus should be on Scripture, readers clothing should not be excessively flamboyant nor too casual. If people are shocked, distracted, or disturbed by what we are wearing, then this will be a distraction from the reading of Scripture. Readers should be humble enough to dress appropriately for reading.
Mistakes are Okay! Since we are not God, we are not perfect. If a mistake is made, stop and reread the verse. It is not necessary to say “Sorry” or “Excuse Me.” Continue reading with confidence, knowing that God expects faithful worship, not perfect worship. Faithfulness will include mistakes at times. If you accept that it is OK to make mistakes, this will lessen one’s nervousness.
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