Do Pastors Need Charisma or Public Speaking Skills to Preach?

Does a preacher needs charisma or public speaking techniques to deliver a message from the word? 

The answer is no on both counts.

In the list of qualifications for a pastor, no requirement is given to be charismatic or a skilled orator. But we do read that he should be disposed to teaching (1 Timothy 3:2). We also read how Peter gave a powerful message from the scriptures after the Holy Spirit came upon him on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, and three thousand souls listened and believed (Acts 2:41), with no mention of his skill, only that he preached the word. 

Paul prayed for boldness to speak the word in Ephesians 6:19 not charisma, not a good joke, not public speaking skills. In fact, Paul spoke with frankness (2 Corinthians 3:12) and spoke only what the Lord would have him speak (i.e. the word of God); not with man’s wisdom, but with God’s (1 Corinthians 2:4,13). Another example comes from Acts 4:31 where the disciples received boldness to speak the word after praying and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jokes or anecdotes can lighten things up, get the attention of the congregation, and may enhance learning. The Lord seems to have used humor at times in His messages (cf. Matthew 7:5); Paul evinces humor in 1 Corinthians 12:21 for example, and we read a humorous account in Acts 20:9–12. However, there do not appear to be cases where believers actively sought charisma or public speaking skills—they sought boldness to speak the word.

Can a preacher use charisma and utilize public speaking skills when the word of God is at the heart of the message? 

The answer is yes, but he should not rely on or prioritize them above the word of God.

In terms of relying on our own skills, the Bible reminds us that how people respond to a message is in God’s hands: i.e. it is God who gives understanding (Proverbs 2:6); God who shines light into our minds (2 Corinthians 4:6); it is not by the physical but by the Spirit of God that we build (Zechariah 4:6); God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8); that the flesh profits nothing (John 6:63); that we should not put our confidence in man (Psalm 118:9); that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 3:19), and the philosophy of this world is ineffective in the spiritual world (Colossians 2:8). We can learn from these verses that even the most charismatic individuals or the greatest of speakers have no effect without God.

In terms of having the word of God as the core of any message, the Bible reminds us that believers are born of the word of God (1 Peter 1:23, James 1:18); Christian faith is built up from the word of God (Romans 10:17), and Christ called the word of God truth (John 17:17). Therefore, any message given in church should be on what the Lord has to say.

Humanly speaking, being pleasant and sounding appealing could not hurt because people have limited attention spans (e.g. Acts 20:9–12). Being affable and speaking clearly just seem practical when speaking to an audience. For them, it would be difficult to sit and listen to someone who was unpleasant or unclear. And Paul told Timothy to make full proof of his ministry in 2 Timothy 4:5.

For those reasons, a pastor should be concerned with how to present his message. If the Lord reveals to a pastor that his personality could use some development or that his speaking skills could use some polish, why should he not prayerfully ask God to help him improve or pursue a course in homiletics? However, we must remember that any response to the message is in God’s hands.

Conclusion

A pastor, or anyone who preaches the Gospel or teaches the word is not required to be charismatic or a polished public speaker. We do not readily see examples where believers prayed for or actively sought such things in order to connect with their audiences.

In the end, some will believe, and some will not (Acts 17:32–34, Acts 28:24), not because of charisma or speaking talent, but because it is God’s work. Therefore, a pastor does not need to rely on his charisma or skills, but he can develop them as God reveals the need, while keeping focus on the word of God in his messages.

Written by Jerry Smith

Image source: YouTube screenshot video found on sanderson1611 page