Christian testimony public speaking: 7 tips for sharing your story with an audience
If you’ve been asked to share your testimony in front of an audience, it’s normal to feel nervous or even fearful! Fear of public speaking — known as glossophobia — tops the list of common fears for many people, often ranking higher than the fear of death itself.
The Bible reminds us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Instead, it reminds us: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (NIV).
Whether you are standing behind a pulpit when you share your testimony or sharing your faith story in front of a small group, these tips will help you step forward with authentic, God-given confidence.
I developed them while leading a Christian storytelling class at my church, which included a live storytelling night. Storytellers invited friends and family to attend, but that didn’t make the nerves go away.
It’s counterintuitive, but it can be harder to tell a personal and meaningful story in front of an audience you know than an audience you don’t know!
Overcoming fear in Christian public speaking
If you’re preparing your testimony — or are speaking in public in another fashion — these tips will help!
1. Speak from memory — don’t memorize.
Practice out loud so your muscle memory kicks in. Out loud. Not in your thoughts, but actually speak the words. When you practice your speech, testimony, or story out loud, you’re building muscle memory.
When you share your story with an audience, your muscle memory will take over. You’ll know what to say because you’ve said it so many times before.
2. Ask to see the space before
If you’re feeling nervous, it can help to learn more about where you’ll be sharing your testimony. Will you have a microphone? Is there a stage? Ask to see the space before you get.
3. Just keep going
Don’t stop, pause, say “let me back up” or “I forgot,” just keep going and continue your story.
4. Be prepared with a joke
There is no such thing as a mistake in a live show, only an opportunity to make a joke. Come prepared! If you can laugh at yourself, your audience will laugh with you.
5. Adrenaline and instinct are not your friends
Sometimes speakers have an urge to hang on to their audience longer than the audience wants to be held. But the audience always wiggles freely, and you lose their attention. Remember, your story is a gift, but it’s not given until you let it go.
6. Have fun — and celebrate
Public speaking is always a bigger deal for you, the speaker, than for the people listening. It takes tremendous courage to put yourself out there, so don’t wait for someone to acknowledge your accomplishment. Celebrate it!
7. After the event, people may want to talk with you about your story
You are welcome to give the gift of receiving their story by listening. You are also free to limit how long or who you talk to. Pray and let the Spirit lead, always treating everyone with compassion and respect.
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Mackenzie Ryan Walters is the author of “Faith Storytellers: Unleash the Power of Your Story,” which shares Christian testimonies and stories, as well as curated lists about Christian books, gifts, and more. A national award-winning former journalist who’s covered a presidential campaign, been inside NASA, and reported on education and schools, Mackenzie now edits the Faith Storytellers website and is passionate about lifting up and sharing the story God is writing in the world.