Proclaimer Blog
How to host a visiting speaker #1
Some time ago I put together a few pointers for those who host visiting speakers. This is hardly the last word on the matter, but I thought it may be worth a couple of posts. You will see it rather quaintly refers to the now obsolete OHP. You need to update this in your mind for more modern technologies (WiFi passwords, proper connectors for laptops, USB sticks etc).
Brief the visiting speaker properly in advance
If the event is extra to your usual programme, perhaps an evangelistic breakfast or a day conference, we can be so busy organising and publicising the event that we neglect to brief the speaker. If it is a regular event, such as a Sunday sermon, we may assume they just know what happens; they may not. Here are some tips.
- Brief them in plenty of time. Don’t assume they are magicians who can conjure fresh high-quality new material out of nothing at a moment’s notice!
- Give them clear instructions about the date, place, start and end time (include the end time so that they can plan their journey home)
- If it is an event that covers more than one session, tell them well in advance the detailed timings for the day(s) (or invite them to join you in planning it)
- Tell them clearly how long you would like them to speak for, and whether or not it will be helpful to have a time for questions at the end
- Explain clearly to them the aim of the event. Is it to reach non-Christians, to build up Christians, to train workers, or what?
- Tell them what has come before and what will come afterwards. If it is a Sunday sermon, give them the full sermon series planner sheet or programme card. If it is a regular event such as a monthly evangelistic breakfast, tell them who has spoken before and what they have spoken about, and who is planned to speak later
- Tell them if you are planning some particular follow-up. Is there perhaps an enquirers’ course or follow-up literature?
- Give them some indication about the likely number of people attending, and what sort of people they are – Christians and non-Christians, well-taught or untaught, hungry or proud, younger or older, men or women, more or less educated, races, nationalities, regulars at these events or newcomers…
- Tell them if there is a preferred dress code, so that they don’t have to guess and risk embarrassment by turning up over or under-dressed
- Tell them if there will be bibles provided, and – if so – what version
- Send them a copy of all the publicity you have used for the event, so that they know what those attending will expect
- Tell them what teaching resources will (or can) be made available (e.g. projector, OHP, white-board)
- Invite them to send through any handouts and offer to run off the appropriate number of copies for them